Bf 108s in England, May 1937 - the Isle of Man air races

 

This Eduard Bf 108 finished as D-IHDD race number '22' in racing blue was seen on the competition tables at the recent US Fort Wayne IPMS Nationals. According to some, Messerschmitt Bf 108 B Taifun with registration code D-IHDD is 'famous' for participating in the 1937 Manx Air Derby (Isle of Man Air Race) in May 1937. (The Isle of Man is strictly speaking not part of the UK or England, but a British 'Crown dependency') Due to its unique historical racing livery, D-IHDD is a popular subject for modellers and it featured as a primary markings option in the Eduard Bf 108 Weekend Edition (1:48 scale). But was race number '22' really D-IHDD?  Unfortunately not.....

Above;  Bf 108 D-INKY and enthusiastic British (Isle of Man) supporters, May 1937..

Modellers are STILL building the blue Bf 108 in its Manx  air racing scheme as D-IHDD race number 22. This all started years ago with the release of a Techmod decal sheet depicting D-IHDD (race number 22).  It is impossible to know  how and why this error made it into print but Techmod's 'research' was then repeated by Eduard.  

Two Bf 108s took part in the 1937 Isle of Man air rally (Manx Air Races) entered by the Aero Club of Germany - these were D-IOSA (race number 21) and D-INKY. D-INKY was in fact the 'real' race number '22'. The aircraft were flown by (Major) Hans Seidemann and Ernst Gerbrecht. Seidemann was declared winner (after a delay and in somewhat controversial circumstances) of the London to Isle of Man race that took place on 16 May 1937; according to the Ronaldsway airport (Douglas) Isle of Man web page;

"...The crowds at Douglas, waiting for the first arrivals timed for 3 p.m., were to be disappointed and they only saw five machines across the finishing line.. A. M. Henderson (Monospar) was in front closely followed by Captain Higgins, A. V. Harvey (Comper Swift), H. J. Wilson (BA Eagle) and R. C. Hockley (Aeronca). But, amazingly, Major Seidemann was the first to arrive at Ronaldsway, landing at 3.22 p.m. As he had missed the finish line in Douglas Bay he was excluded. He immediately took off again and flew to Douglas. This resulted in a protest being lodged with the Stewards who held three meetings over the weekend to sort things out. It was not until Monday morning that they announced the final placings, declaring Major Seidemann the winner as he had been the only competitor to be recorded at Maughold Head. He was of course delighted to be taking the Challenge Cup back to Germany, claiming it was ‘better to race in peace than in war’.."

Three Bf 108s returned for the 1938 races - again no D-IHDD. The machines were D-IDNT (race number 26), D-IOSS ('27') and D-ICIS ('28') . The three Bf 108s were accompanied over England by the AGO Ao 192 Kurier, registration D-OCTB. Photographs of these machines in the UK are extremely rare and usually of poor quality. The images shown here are reproduced from the Manx Aviation museum archive. 

Details of rear fuselage stencils on D-IOSA

Above; this view taken at the 1937 rally in the UK indicates that there was no 'Messerschmitt Taifun' lettering under the cabin door, although the stylised 'bird' marking appears just ahead of the cockpit. D-INKY taxies in.

Below; Bf 108 '22' registration D-INKY with the pilot Ernst Gerbrecht settling into the cockpit. Note the different finish on the propeller blades, almost certainly not the usual dark green (see model photo above)