Surviving Bf109E-3 Condor Legion 6-88 (+photos)

[markjsheppard]

Hi all

Trying to find out more on this aircraft. Hopefully a Condor Legion expert frequents this board or even a Spanish Historian.

Bf109E-3 coded 6-88 and (later C4K-66) served with the Spanish Air Force from 1938 until 1957 so must be the longest operational Bf109!

It was also the first of forty-four E models to join the Spanish Air Force.

In total (From Peter DuPont) lists - Anyone know who is is?

A short resume of the early Bf 109s in Spain:
Prototypes: 6-1 -6-3
Series: B1 6-4 -6-18
B2 6-19 to 6-58
C1 6-59 to 6-78
D1 6-79 to 6-87

My assumtions for the 44 E Models.
E1/3 6-88 to 6-132

Rob Lamplough brought a load of scrap metal from an airfield in Spain in 1983 and in the middle of pots and pans etc was this Bf109. He outbid a scrapman but went on to sell the pot and pans to the loser!

Clearly on the tail can be seen 6-88.

I am trying to establish when this E-3 was built (essumed to be end of 1938 or early 1939), who manufactured it and the W.Nr. Is it the oldest surviving Bf109?

There is a photo out there of Hitler in Spain at a parade with Franco? and in the background is rows of Bf109's including 6-88. Anyone seen this photo?

Anyway, looking over the airframe next week to find out more. Any snippets of information anyone might have would be a great help.

regards

Mark