| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 11 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Messerschmitt Bf-109 |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Messerschmitt Bf-109 |
| Aircraft Version: | Messerschmitt Bf-109F-4 |
| C/n (msn): | 8668 |
| Operator Titles: | Germany - Air Force |
| Unit Markings: | 5./JG 3 |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Ta Qali (closed)Map |
| Country: | Malta |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: LMMT IATA: - Local: - Other: - |
| Photo Date: | 11 February 2024 |
| Photo by: | John Visanich |
| Photo ID: | 655627 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
Crashed near St Vincent de Paul Home (near Luqa) during a raid over Malta on 1 April 1942. Unteroffizier Hans Pilz was at the controls, pursuing an RAF fighter at low level when his Bf.109F took hits, presumably from ground fire, and bellied in on a farm. The remains of the aircraft apparently buried at the crash site. Pilz survived the crash relatively unscathed, despite the aircraft flipping on its back; he spent the rest of the war in a POW camp. The remains were found when the site was being excavated on 21 February 2023 and are now at the Malta Aviation Museum. This photo is copyright © John Visanich, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 16 February 2024, and has since been viewed 224 times. |