A unique collection of German aircraft from the era of the 1930s and 1940s will be on display in the air and on the ground at the 2006 Biggin Hill International Air Fair on 3rd & 4th June.

The collection includes a rare example of the Klemm 35 gull-wing monoplane that first flew in 1935. The tandem open cockpit layout made it popular as a training machine with the wartime Luftwaffe and later with air forces of Sweden, Hungary and Rumania.

Other rare specimens are the radial-engined Focke-Wulf FW44 Stieglitz (Goldfinch) biplane basic trainer from the mid-1930s and the Bucker Bu181 Bestmann, the first trainer adopted by the 1940s Luftwaffe with side-by-side seating. All aircraft are in original authentic colour schemes. Two further examples of Bucker aircraft are included, the Bu131 Jungmann biplane trainer dating to 1939, this aircraft owned by Mr Bucker himself, and the elite Bu133 Jungmeister that was developed to provide aerobatic and advanced handling training for the military pilots of the day. The classic Jungmeister is powered by the same sturdy Siemens radial engine.

The UK-based collection is owned by Glenn Lacey, an engineer and entrepreneurial businessman whose company Phoenix Aviation and Technology Ltd takes a leading role in aviation and space engineering. (www.phoenix-aviation.co.uk) “These German aircraft are so well designed and superbly engineered that it is a pleasure to be able to restore them to an airworthy condition,” says Glenn. His collection is expanding, eventually to 14 aircraft. Other types scheduled for future restoration by his team of engineers include a Jumo 213A powered Focke-Wulf FW190 D9 fighter, a Messershcmitt 109E fitted with a Daimler-Benz 601 engine and a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka divebomber.

Air Fair organiser Colin Hitchins says that the fine German collection is planned to arrive in formation for the flying display on both weekend days. “This is a marvellous ‘first’ for Biggin Hill and I am thrilled that our spectators will have an opportunity to see these unique and superbly restored aircraft at the Air Fair. I am most grateful to Glenn Lacey for his agreement to bring them here” says Colin Hitchins The Air Fair runs over two full days, Saturday and Sunday 3rd & 4th June.

More than 100 aircraft will gather at Biggin Hill for the event which includes a 5-hour flying spectacular with some of the finest display aircraft and pilots in the world participating.

See details on the website - www.bigginhillairfair.co.uk