The Buchon was a Spanish built version of the German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter but was powered by either a Hispano Suiza or Rolls-Royce engine. Serving with the Spanish Air Force until the
1960s over 200 Hispano Buchon aircraft would be produced including a few trainers.
 |
First flight 29th March 1954 |
Entered service 31st December 1956 |
Total built 239 |
|
After the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939) and the victory by General Francisco Franco 40 Messerschmitt Bf 109 B & Es were left behind by the German Luftwaffe's Condor Legion, which had provided
support to Franco's forces, so they could be used by the Spanish Air Force. This was followed up in 1943 when an agreement was reached between Messerschmitt and the Spanish Government for 200 BF
109G-2s to be licence built in Spain and known as BF 109Js and powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 605. This would see 25 dismantled examples sent so that they could be used as patten aircraft by
manufactures in Spain.
However by 1943/44 the tide of the war was going against Germany so when the aircraft arrived in Spain they were minus their engines, propellers, armament and tail fins. To compound the issue the
jigs and technical drawings were also unforthcoming. So as 1944 came to a close and with no sign of the much needed parts to complete the airframes Hispano Aviacion would change the aircraft in
1945 so that the Hispano Suiza 127-89 engine could be used and these were known as the HA-1109-J1L but the engine was replaced by the 127-17 and a new designation of K1L was given to the aircraft.
It wouldn't be until the 1950s when the definitive version of the Buchon, originally given the designation HA-1109-M1L, would be built when a 1,535-hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-45 was installed, giving the aircraft a top
speed of 413 mph, and as a result gave the Buchon a distinctive chain compared to its Bf 109 predecessor. Armament would consist of a pair of 20mm Hispano Suiza cannons and eight 80mm rockets and
this flew for the first time on the 29th March 1954 and when this type entered service two years later, when the first six were delivered on the 31st December 1956, it was known as the HA-1112-M1L Buchon.
The Buchon would stay in service until 1965, with the last one retired on the 27th December, and would be used by the Spanish Air Force in Morocco and over the Sahara. In total 239 were built including a handful of two-seater trainers.
Technical Details
Click on the aircraft image to view a larger version.
HA-1109-J1L |
25 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2s from Germany powered by the Hispano Suiza 127-89 engine. |
HA-1109-K1L |
Coverted J1Ls but powered by the Hispano Suiza 127-17 engine. |
HA-1110-K1L |
Sole two-seater trainer powered by an Hispano engine. |
HA-1110-M1L |
Projected two-seater trainer which would have a Rolls-Royce Merlin. |
HA-1111-K1L |
Project that saw wingtip mounted fuel tanks added to a two-seater trainer. |
HA-1112-K1L |
373 mph |
429 miles |
32,200 ft |
two 20mm cannons sixteen 80mm rocket projectiles |
|
HA-1112-M1L |
413 mph |
472 miles |
33,465 ft |
two 20mm cannons eight 80mm rocket projectiles |
|
HA-1111-M4L |
Two-seater trainer powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin. One built and the HA-1110-K1L was converted to this standard. |
Photos
Click on a photo to view a larger version.
See This Aircraft
(C) = Cockpit only exhibit. (F) = Fuselage only exhibit. (R) = Remains of an aircraft.
|
|
|
|
Quick Search
New on Classic Warbirds
Feedback
Spotted an error? Or just have a comment or suggestion about Classic Warbirds? Please
let us know.
|
|