The Messerschmitt Bf.109 was the best fighter in the world for five years after its appearance in 1935.  Between 1936 and 1945, 35,000 109s were produced, the greatest number of any single fighter aircraft produced in the Second World War.  The first variant that was mass produced was the Bf.109E.  These aircraft were powered by a Daimler Benz DB 601, a very powerful and reliable engine.  Throughout the war, many variants were produced that faced more modern Allied fighters.