Messerschmitt Bf 109T

With the expansion of the German Kriegsmarine and the construction of an aircraft carrier, the Graf Zeppelin, a need arose for carrier capable aeroplanes. To fill the fighter role, the Messerschmitt Bf 109E was modified by adding a tail hook, catapult fitting and an increased wing span. Given the model identifier T (for Träger – carrier in German), 70 Bf 109T fighters were ordered. However, after only seven had been completed, the carrier was cancelled and the remaining 63 were completed without naval attachments. To differentiate between the two, those with naval gear were designated T-1, while the other 63 were T-2s. Many of the T-1s were modified to T-2 standard.

The additional wingspan made them suitable for short airstrips, so they were assigned to Norway. Messerschmitt Bf 109T fighters were operated until 1944 when they were returned to Germany and used for training.