Today In History:  26 August  [1939]   --  The Messerschmitt Me 209 sets a new world speed record

The Messerschmitt Me 209 V1 sets a new world speed record of 755 km/h (469 mph), not officially broken by another piston-engined aircraft until 1969.

The first Messerschmitt Me 209 was a single-engine racing aircraft which was designed for and succeeded at breaking speed records. This Me 209 was a completely new aircraft whose designation was used by Messerschmitt as a propaganda tool. Although the aircraft was designed only to break speed records, it was hoped that its name would associate it with the Bf 109 already in combat service. The '209' designation was later reused for the actual proposed successor to the Bf 109.

PHOTO: ME 209

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Photo Attribution:  Public Domain  via Wikimedia.