The prototype Bf109A took its first flight in 1935. Later model E was more powerful and better armed, however, and by the summer of 1940, over 500 had been put into service for the offensive against Great Britain. By then, the 109E had already proven to be a competent, if not the world's best, fighter aircraft over Poland, France, and other countries. However, over England it met its match and was shown to be inferior to the RAF's Spitfire. Completed model measures 120mm long and 137mm wide.