The few Messerschmitts , along with the Spitfires gave the fledgling Israeli Air Force
the first air superiority during the War of Independence, 1948-49.
This derivative of the famous German Messerschmitt 109 was built in Czechoslovakia Avia factory
and was constructed with parts and plans left over from Luftwaffe aircraft production
that had taken place under the country's German occupation during the Second World War.
Modi (Mordechai) Alon became the first Israeli pilot to down an enemy aircraft with his Messerschmitt.
On June 3rd, 1948 he shot down two Egyptian Dakotas C-47’s that were bombing Tel Aviv.
The Avia S-199 was even more uncontrollable than the M-109, with a notorious tendency to flip over while taking off or landing.
On 16 October 1948, Modi was killed on a Messerschmitt crash landing, in Hertzelia airport.