Mark Hannant
Long associated with the aviation world as a supplier of time-pieces, both in cockpits and on the wrists of the pilots who sit in them, Breitling has gone one step further with the formation of the Breitling Fighters flight team.
The Swiss watch manufacturer has put together an impressive collection of vintage aircraft and they're here on display at the show.
The Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX, Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, Chance Vought F4U Corsair, Messerschmitt Bf-109 and Yakovlev Yak-3 all made their mark, not just on the flying world, but in the popular psyche too during the Second World War. All carried Breitling instruments.
In a world-first initiative, Breitling has brought them all together with the help of the US, German, New Zealand, Russian and UK airforces.
It has also added an Aero Albatros L-39, a modern twin-seater training jet, so that its brand retailers can experience the thrill of the dog-fight almost first-hand.
It is a rare and unique collection - and could have been more comprehensive except that no one gave a Fokker. The Messerschmitt is one of the only examples still in flying condition out of the original 33,000. Those with an interest in history will note that although it is a Bf-109 its engine is a Rolls-Royce Merlin - the same as the Spitfire's - rather than the original Daimler-Benz DB601E.
The aircraft are now on a European tour, being flown at various air shows by former RAF pilots.
Source: Flight Daily News
