Two exceptionally rare World War Two aircraft of the German Luftwaffe are up for auction from an Australian owned private collection.
On June 30, 2026, it was announced that an immaculately kept Messerschmitt 109 E1 (W.NR 3579) that had seen active combat during World War Two was being offered on a bid submission basis.
Additionally, a WW2 Hispano HA-1112-M4L Buchon, designated ‘RED 11’, that was used during the filming of the 1968 movie ‘Battle of Britain’ would also be up for sale.
Icon Global, which is managing the sale, said that both aircraft are being sold with fully documented, verifiable history and restoration records.
Documents linked to the Messerschmitt 109 E1 show the aircraft downed its first Royal Air Force (RAF) Spitfire on August 10, 1940, and a second over England on September 10, 1940, during the Battle of Britain.
Records show the Messerschmitt 109 aircraft once crashed in France and again on the Russian front line on August 2, 1942.
“This aircraft possesses extensive and historically important wartime combat provenance, representing a tangible link to one of the most consequential periods in aviation history. It is a unique and irreplaceable example of World War II heritage,” said a spokesperson for Icon Global.
According to the company, only two or three original German-built ME 109s remain today as most were destroyed or lost following World War Two.
Even more uniquely, the Messerschmitt 109 E1 is expected to return to full flying status subject to the applicable inspections, certifications and regulatory requirements.
“The aircraft has undergone comprehensive restoration of the highest standard of authenticity and preservation. The airframe has been fully restored and maintained in flying configuration, and its original Daimler-Benz engine, has undergone specialist refurbishment in Germany and will shortly be reinstalled,” said Icon Global.
The company added: “The restoration and preservation work completed to date positions the aircraft as one of the very few surviving Messerschmitt ME 109s capable of returning to operational flight, distinguishing it from any museum held warbird and further enhancing its rarity, historical significance and collector appeal.”
The two aircraft are available in combined or separate transactions. The bid and sale process is being handled by Icon Global Private Client Services, in Dallas, Texas.
“As a kid who grew up in Papua New Guinea with a passion for finding and collecting weapons and relics of military vehicles and aircraft of the Japanese, Australian and American conflict in the Pacific, the opportunity to place these two incredibly important and historic aircraft is both fun and important to me,” said Icon Global’s owner Bernard Uechtritz.
The Messerschmitt ME 109 is currently located at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, and the Hispano HA-1112-M4L Buchon is at Sywell Aerodrome, UK.