Buchón – HA-1112

The Buchón traces its roots to the German Messerschmitt Bf 109G fighter. In 1942, the Spanish government arranged a licence production agreement with Messerschmitt AG to build Bf 109 G-2 airframes.  However, Germany was unable to supply fully the engines, drawings and components required. Only 25 airframes (without tails) and incomplete drawings were delivered. Because of this shortfall, Spanish manufacturer Hispano Aviación S.A. in Seville adapted the design.

For early versions they used a French‐built Hispano-Suiza HS 89-12Z (upright V12) engine replacing the German Daimler-Benz DB 605 inverted-V12.

Development & production

  • The first Spanish prototype (designated HA-1109/HA-1112 depending on version) flew on 2 March 1945. 

  • In May 1951, the HA-1112-K1L version (with the Hispano-Suiza engine) flew. 

  • Eventually a major upgrade occurred: Spain acquired British Rolls‑Royce Merlin 500-45 engines, and the HA-1112-M1L “Buchón” variant (Merlin-powered) first flew on 29 March 1954. 

  • Total production: about 172 Buchóns (HA-1112-M1L) plus earlier variants. 

  • The nickname “Buchón” comes from the Spanish word meaning a large-throated pigeon (because the bulky engine cowling/gullets reminded people of the bird). 

The Museum’s Buchón

Featured in the colours of its service in the Spanish Airforce.

  • This paint scheme represents the aircraft as it would have appeared between about 1954 and 1965, when Spain operated its last piston-engine fighters.

  • The actual airframe probably:

    • Left the Hispano Aviación factory in Seville in 1958–59 as part of the final production batch of HA-1112-M1L fighters.

    • Served with Ala 7 or Escuadrón 462 in the Canary Islands or North Africa (Spanish Sahara).

    • Was retired by 1965, when Spain replaced the type with F-86 Sabres.

    • Many of these aircraft were later sold to film companies for use in Battle of Britain (1969); a number survive today in museums.