Willy Messerschmitt

Wilhelm Emil "Willy" Messerschmitt was a German aircraft designer and manufacturer. In 1934, in collaboration with Walter Rethel, he designed the Messerschmitt Bf 109, which became the most important fighter aircraft in the Luftwaffe as Germany rearmed prior to World War II. It remains the second most-produced warplane in history, with some 34,000 built, behind the Soviet Ilyushin Il-2. Another Messerschmitt aircraft, first called "Bf 109R", purpose-built for record setting, but later redesignated Messerschmitt Me 209, broke the absolute world airspeed record and held the world speed record for propeller-driven aircraft until 1969. Messerschmitt's firm also produced the first jet-powered fighter to enter service – the Messerschmitt Me 262.

26 June 1898

Born on the same birth date (26 June 1898): Chesty Puller

Born on the same birth day (26 June): Chris Isaak • Dinu Zamfirescu • Houssem Chemali • Hugues Cuénod • J. J. Barea • Jason Kendall • Jürgen Reil • Ogyen Trinley Dorje • Peter Lorre • Raleigh Rhodes • Sunthorn Phu

Born in the same month (June 1898): Armin Öpik • Carl H. Hermann • Chesty Puller • Erich Maria Remarque • Federico García Lorca • Harry Patch • Hubertus Strughold • Jim Fouché • Karl Selter • Kay Sage • Luigi Fagioli • Ninette de Valois