Messerschmitt Bf 109 Evaluated by Japan
Five Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7s were acquired by the Japanese in 1941, without armament, for evaluation. While in Japan they received the standard Japanese hinomarus and yellow wing leading edges, as well as white numerals on the rudder. A red band outlined in white was painted around the rear fuselage.
They were used in comparison trials by the Japanese Army Air Force with the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa, Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki and the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien. As Japanese were interested in the DB 601 engine and license-built it for their Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter, they had little interest in the Bf 109 itself.
The Allies, expecting to encounter Japanese Bf 109s in combat, assigned a code name of “Mike” to the Messerschmitts. None were flown in combat by the Japanese.
Messerschmitt Bf109 E7 IJAAF White1 WrkN6524 Undergoing Japanese Evaluation 1941 
Messerschmitt Bf109 E7 IJAAF White1 WrkN6524 Undergoing Japanese Evaluation 1941 
Messerschmitt Bf109 E7 IJAAF White1 WrkN6524 Undergoing Japanese Evaluation 1941 
Messerschmitt Bf109 E7 IJAAF White1 WrkN6524 Undergoing Japanese Evaluation 1941
