Willy Messerschmitt

Beginning of his career In 1923, Messerschmitt graduated from university, but he and Harth had a falling out and went their separate ways. Messerschmitt founded his own aircraft company at Augsburg which at first built sailplanes, but within two years had progressed via motor gliders to small powered aircraft - sports and touring types.

In 1979, Messerschmitt was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.