MESSERSCHMITT GMBH

GERMANY

	Founded by Willi Messerschmitt at Bamberg in 1923 as Messerschmitt Flugzeugbau; became GmbH April 28,1926. Merged M 20 with Bayerische Flugzeugwerke 8 September 1927, but reconstituted June 1931 when BFW collapsed. BFW reformed 1933 and renamed Messerschmitt AG 11 July 1938. Amalgamated with Bolkow as Messerschmitt Bolkow GmbH 1968 and then with
Bf 109

href="1034.html">Hamburger Flugzeugbau to form Messerschmitt-Bolkow- Blohm 14 May 1969. S-16 powered glider flown 1924; M-18 three-passenger, single-engined airliners built for Nordbayerische Verkehrsflug AG and others 1925. Developed into M-20 and M-20b built for Lufthansa 1928. Highly successful M-23

Me-163 "Komet"

two-seat sporting monoplane introduced 1929.

After being renamed in 1938 continued production of BFW's Bf 108 and of Bf 109 fighter, Bf 110 twin-engined long-range fighter. Rocket-powered Me 163 fighter first flown August 1941, and first of Me

Me-262

262 twin-jet fighters on 18 July 1942. Bf 110 developed into Me 210 fighter-bomber first flown September 2,1939, built up to 1944, and reengined Me 410, which made maiden flight in late 1942. Me 321 Gigant

Me-323

troop carrier/cargo glider (54.68m wingspan) introduced 1941; 175 built together with 201 of Me 323 powered version with six Gnome- Rhone radial engines.

Reconstituted postwar company formed Flugzeug-Union Sud with Heinkel in August 1956, building Fouga Magister under license and later taking part in programs for Fiat G.91, Lockheed F-104G, Transall C.160 and Bell UH-1D.