Did any WW2 airforce have fleets of Spitfires & 109s?

[LotusOmega375D]

I was just reading that Estonia placed an order for 12 Spitfires and were actively seeking to purchase 12 109s, but neither action came to fruition before the Soviet Union invaded. That got me thinking if any airforce did indeed operate both types during the war. I don’t mean re-deployed captured enemy aircraft.

Anyone know? What about any other odd WW2 enemy bed fellows operated by the same country?

[Simpo Two]

I think that to be supplied by both Allies and Axis would mean they'd have to switch allegiance. Which leaves Italy...

[Eric Mc]

Switzerland had 109s and Mustangs - although I think the Mustangs entered service after the 109s were retired.

Spain compromised, they put Spitfire engines on their 109s.

[FourWheelDrift]

Finland operated Russian, German and British aircraft in WWII, including Hurricanes, BF-109G models

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_air...

[LotusOmega375D]

Yes that’s a pretty good mixed bag of international types.

[Simpo Two]

Eric Mc said:

Switzerland had 109s and Mustangs - although I think the Mustangs entered service after the 109s were retired.

Spain compromised, they put Spitfire engines on their 109s.

All during WW2 though?

I actually thought of Finland first, but reckoned they were with the Axis.

[aeropilot]

Closest was immediate postwar Israel when it operated Spits and Avia S-199, which was a post-war Czech built version of the Me109 but fitted with a Jumo engine instead of the DB.

The Turkish AF also operated a varied mix fleet of aircraft during WW2, including Hurricanes, MS406's, Spitfires, P-40's, P47's, Beaufighters and even Focke-Wulf Fw190A's.

[TEKNOPUG]

Simpo Two said:

All during WW2 though?

I actually thought of Finland first, but reckoned they were with the Axis.

Finland were having a separate war with the Soviet Union before and during WW2. They procured armaments from Germany and UK before WW2. After Britain and Germany declared war, it was not easy to supply Finland and once Russia and Germany declared war, it was no longer politically desireable. So Finland then acquired armaments exclusively from Germany. Whilst Hitler was happy to arm his enemy's enemy, Finland were never part of the Axis or under Nazi control or engaged in joint operations. They shared a non aggression pact though.

[aeropilot]

TEKNOPUG said:

Whilst Hitler was happy to arm his enemy's enemy, Finland were never part of the Axis or under Nazi control or engaged in joint operations. They shared a non aggression pact though.

They did engage in joint operations. The 163rd Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht was subordinated to the Finnish Army during the Continuation War (for the Finns) and what was the early stages of Operation Barbarosa to the Germans in 1941. The 163rd Division's transit through Sweden from Norway in the summer of 1941 caused a political crisis in Sweden at the time. The 163rd Division spent most of the rest of WW2 stationed in Finland.

However, Finland's leader Mannerheim, was probably the only person in contact with Hitler that stood his ground and didn't behave in a subserviant manner to him.

[Equus]

aeropilot said:

Closest was immediate postwar Israel when it operated Spits and Avia S-199, which was a post-war Czech built version of the Me109 but fitted with a Jumo engine instead of the DB.

I believe that the contemporary Egyptian air force had a mixed bag of Spitfires and Italian Fiats/Macchis? And that as a result, Israeli Spitfires and Egyptian Spitfires (and RAF Spitfires) fought each other?