EADS Journal on ILA 2008
May 28, 2008: Premiere in the skies above Berlin:
Me 262 and Me 109 perform joint flight demonstration at ILA
The traditional aircraft models of EADS and the Messerschmitt Foundation never fail to impress – but on the opening day of the ILA, spectators witnessed a particularly special event. For the first time ever, Heritage Flight’s Me 109 G-10 and Me 262 performed a joint flight demonstration in the skies above Berlin. The Me 262 was flown by Wolfgang Schirdewahn, chief test pilot at Military Air Systems. The Me 109 was piloted by Walter Eichhorn, who has the most experience of any pilot in the world in flying this model. Unfortunately, the unique performance was slightly spoilt at the end, when the Me 109’s right landing gear unit gave way during touch-down, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and come to a halt in the adjacent field. Walter Eichhorn climbed out of the cockpit unharmed. After a few cosmetic repairs, the Me 109 will be back on display at the ILA for viewers to marvel at – but on the ground, not in the sky.
