| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 8668 |
| Military Code: | 11 BLACK - |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Messerschmitt Bf-109 |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Messerschmitt Bf-109 |
| Aircraft Version: | Messerschmitt Bf-109F-4/Z |
| C/n (msn): | 8668 |
| Operator Titles: | Germany - Air Force |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Ta Qali (closed)Map |
| Country: | Malta |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: LMMT IATA: - Local: - Other: - |
| Collection: | Malta Aviation Museum |
| Photo Date: | 17 October 2023 |
| Photo by: | Fergal Goodman |
| Photo ID: | 613298 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
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These substantial remains were recovered during excavations for building work in Luqa in February 2023. According to the Malta Aviation Museum, Werk Nummer 8668, which is carried on the wing root, corresponds to a Bf 109F-4/Z of 5/JG3 which crashed during a raid over Malta on April 1st, 1942. Unteroffizier Hans Pilz was at the controls, pursuing an RAF fighter at low level when his Messerschmitt took hits, presumably from ground fire, and bellied in on a farm. Pilz survived the crash relatively unscathed, despite the aircraft flipping on its back; he spent the rest of the war in a POW camp. This photo is copyright © Fergal Goodman, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 23 October 2023, and has since been viewed 239 times. |