The ME 109 had one major advantage over the Spitfire and Hurricane; it could 'bunt' and pull negative G without the engine stalling. A Spitfire or Hurricane had to roll inverted before diving, to maintain positive G on the carburettors and keep fuel flowing to prevent the engine from starving and stalling.
Rolls-Royce did produce a modification (Mrs. Cottle's Orifice I believe it was called) that went some way to helping the problem, however, they were never able to eliminate it as the Merlin didn't have fuel injection, as per the 109's Daimler Benz engine.
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