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Summer of hell – Life and death of the Pumas

Mark Hanna flies Hans Dittes’ and the Old Flying Machine Company’s Bf (Me) 109G-10 over the Duxford, England landscape. This warbird was derived from a Merlin-powered Buchón model and is now owned and on display in new Yellow 3 livery at the Messerschmitt Museum of Flight in Manching, Germany. (Photo by John Dibbs/ Facebook.com/theplanepicturecompany)
“I could see the handwriting on the wall and I knew we were going to lose the war when I watched helplessly as over 1,200 American bombers and fighters flew over Hungary. What were we to do with only 40 of us in our tired old Me 109s? It was the beginning of the end for the Pumas during that dreadful summer of 1944.” —Michael Karatsonyi Learning the ropes in the Me 109 I remember...

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All the stories featured in Flight Journal are as unique and varied as the airplanes and warriors who flew them. From popular warbirds like the P-51 Mustang and Me 109 to the Lockheed SR-71 and futuristic hypersonic fighters, we cover the whole spectrum of aviation. We’ve heard from countless readers over the years about how much they enjoy the compelling stories and beautiful photography.

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