Willy Messerschmitt (Messerschmitt)

Messerschmitt, Willy (Messerschmitt), (1898-1978), German aircraft designer and industrialist. The creator of many planes, helicopters, gliders, miscellaneous. Born June 26, 1898 in Frankfurt. In 1923 he founded an aircraft factory in Bamberg, and in 1926 created the first all-metal aircraft. His Me-109 fighters - the main fighter aircraft of Germany - first flew in 1935 and subsequently executed and modernized several times during the 2-nd World War, successfully competed with the best Allied fighters. Messerschmitt also created a multi-purpose aircraft Me-110 and one of the first jet fighter Me-262. Messerschmitt gained worldwide recognition as one of the eminent aircraft XX century. After the war he emigrated to Spain where he advised a number of aircraft projects, as well as engaged in the production of prefabricated houses. In 1959 he returned to Germany, recreated the company and resumed production of the aircraft under license for the Bundeswehr. He was honorary chairman of the concern "Messerschmitt - Bolkow - Blohm; holder of a significant number of shares that concern.