Messerschmitt/General Motors |
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In 1927, Willy Messerschmitt took over the technical management of the just founded Bavarian Aircraft Works (Bayrische Flugzeugwerke's or BFW). His civil aircraft were built in the buildings of the former Rumpler works in Haunstetten, south of Augsburg. The success of his products led to a renaming of BFW into Messerschmitt AG on July 11, 1938, but the company had used the new name informally and abroad for several years.
General Motors, born from an alliance of smaller manufacturers, jumped at the change to consolidate further, this time with Messerschmitt of Germany. The german firm needed the capital and political freedom of America, and the americans needed the know-how and engines of the germans. The partnership works very well, and a formal union is under consideration. Bell Aircraft, of Dixie, has had recent legal troubles with Hughes Aviation. M/GM has come to the help of their beleaguered colleagues, but what the final price for Bell is still unknown.
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