It flew for the first time on 29th March 1954 powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-45 engine which yielded 1600hp of power. Both the engine and the rotol propeller had been bought from a surplus to the United Kingdom. The engine had chin intake which altered the lines of the Bf.109's airframe. It was an improvised assembly of outdated components, but was appropriate for serving in the Spanish Colonial Africa, like Ifni or Sahara as more sophisticated technology was both unnecesary and unavailable for Spain during those years as they were politcally isolated.
It was armed with two 20mm Hispano-Suiza 404/408 cannons and two Oerlikon or Pilatus eight-packs of 80mm rockets and remained in active service with the 71 Escuadrón Táctico (71 Tactical Squadron) until 27th December 1965 seeing some action during Sidi Ifni War in late 1950s.
A total of 170 exemplars were manufactured at La Hispano Aviación SA in the city of Seville.
They became famous internationally thanks to their appearances in films like Battle of Britain, Der Stern von Afrika, Memphis Belle, Dunkirk and the Tuskegee Airmen oftenly disguished as Messerschmitt Bf.109Gs.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispano_Aviación_HA-1112
2. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispano_Aviación_HA-1112 (translated)
3. https://forum.valka.cz/topic/view/182087
4. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters
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