The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a cantilever low-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit, retractable conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[2]
The first replica was inspired by Bek's inspection of a Loehle 5151 Mustang scale replica fighter at AirVenture in the late 1980s. He was impressed with the scale warbird, but wanted a German aircraft and so returned home and set out to design an Me 109 replica.[3]
The first prototype, registered D-MBAK, was of all wooden construction, powered by a Hirth 2704 producing only 400NaN0 and first flew in 1991. This aircraft achieved 1900NaN0 on its low power output, but Bek started a second prototype based on lessons learned in 1992. The second aircraft, registered D-MYBB, first flew in 1992, but was lost in an accident that same year. Bek's third prototype, D-MNBP, was flown in about 1994 and resulted in some kits being sold.
Bek flew a homebuilt category version of the Me 109 in 1996, powered by a Hirth F30 and later a Subaru automotive conversion, which became the prototype of the Me 109R kit aircraft. Bek then sold the company and the new owner ceased development of the Me 109. In 2003 Christian Engelen purchased the project and continued work on the aircraft, officially re-launching it in 2004. Since then production has continued on a demand basis.
The current production version, the Me 109R is made from composites. Its 8.11NaN1 span wing has an area of 10.53m2 and flaps. Standard engines available include the 640NaN0 Rotax 582 two-stroke, the 700NaN0 Weber Motor MPE 750 and the 800NaN0 D-Motor LF26 four-stroke powerplants.[2] [4]