The word "development" is the key. An aircraft such as the Me-262 was always the Me-262, never the Bf-262. The Bf-109, however, was orginally developed before the name change, and so its subsequent "models" could retain the "Bf" prefix or, confusingly, the "Me", depending on which version someone wanted to use. Either would have been technically correct.
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Official Luftwaffe gun manual for the Bf 109 G-6/U4, July 1943:
In the official language the 109 stayed as "Bf 109" although the term "Me 109" long was adopted in normal parlance.
Have a nice day,
SteveComment
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Yes, that manual page makes perfect sense when you consider that the "G" series was just a continuation of the original Bf-109 design from pre-1938.Comment
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Hi,
The ME/bf debate is not that clear cut as to date yes the 109 was designed before the name change on 11/07/1938 and the 163&262 after ,but the ME209 was completed in June 1938 so how do's that fit in to the equation?
All the best MerdockComment
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I can see no problem. The Me 209 V-1 had its maiden flight on 1 August 1938 ...Comment
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Hi,
Yes it's first flight was on that date but the aircraft was designed and completed before the changeover?Comment
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I think it got its name just before it took the air. For propaganda reasons also it was called the Bf 109R ...Comment
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