Bf-109 Gear Down Tactic?

[PolishEagle1939]

I have been playing online on the Syndicate server and have seen something unusual to me. Not sure if these guys were trying to slow down or what but this has been the second time that a Bf-109 has flown by me in a Spitfire with the gear down. Are they trying to slow down? Anybody out there using this as a tactic. Does it work without the gear being ripped off? Did they do this in real life? I have read 155 mph max for gear down on that plane so just curious. Thanks for any info. P.S. This was not at low altitude so they weren't landing.