Messerchmitt Bf-109 at Gulbarga
Wait! did i read that right? Did it say "Messerchmitt"? MESSERCHMITT? As in WW2- German , As in Dr. Willi MESSERCHMITT? Is that a Swastika that I am seeing in that photo? My God! It is!
One of the unofficial features of the site was what I termed as a "Warbird discovery of the year" award. This was basically to signify the discovery of a hitherto unreported vintage aircraft of importance. In the year 2001, the ‘Award’ went to a gentleman who reported the derelict airframe of a Percival Prentice in Chennai. The Prentice was the only known example still surviving in India outside the Indian Air Force Museum. For the year 2002, I had only one nomination going on , A Firefly was reported to be on its way to restoration and display at INS Hansa in Goa. The decision was almost taken to appoint the Firefly as the ‘Warbird discovery of the year’ when one fine day in May, I received an email from Laxman Anataramu.
The Press coverage of the Me-109 Deal
The deal on the Messerschmitt is probably one of the most covered events in Indian Media about vintage aircraft ever. Though the first report came in the UK Magazine Aeroplane Monthly was a harmless report, the deluge of investigative reports started after India Today published its ‘scoop’. The case was still live and open as of 2007.
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2007 Headlines |
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2006 Headlines
–Who stole the Indian Me-109– Strategy Page – 15 Nov 2006 –Probe on missing aircraft intensified– Deccan Herald – 06 Nov 2006
–Police yet to make headaway in missing plane caseThe Hindu 05 May 2006 –Antique Fighter aircraft issue : Kanta for CBI Probe Deccan Herald 24 April 2006
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2003 Headlines –Antique aircraft deal : Ex-Minister seeks CBI inquiryDeccan Herald 31 July 2003 |
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2002 Headlines
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