The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

The long-range multi-seat escort fighter is possibly the most difficult of combat aircraft to design. Certainly no entirely successful machine in this category emerged from the Second World War, and when Professor Willy Messerschmitt began design studies for such a warplane towards the end of 1934 at the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke at Augsburg his problems would have seemed insurmountable had he possessed a full knowledge of interceptor fighter development trends abroad. Such a machine as was required by Marshal Goering to equip the elite "zerstorer" formations that he envisaged had to be capable of penetrating deep into enemy territory, possessing sufficient range to accompany bomber formations.

The fuel tankage necessary presented a serious weight penalty and called for the use of two engines if the "zerstorer" was to achieve a performance approaching that of the lighter interceptor fighter by which it would be opposed. Yet it had to be maneuvrable if it was to successfully fend off the enemy's single-seaters.

The Bf 110Es were capable of carrying a respectable bomb load of 4,410 lb (2,000 kg) as fighter-bombers, while straight fighter and reconnaissance versions were also built. These, and later versions, were operated with a fair degree of success in many war zones. The Bf 110F was basically similar to the E, but two new variants were produced - the 110F-2 carrying rocket projectiles and the F-4 with two 30 mm cannon and an extra crew member for night fighting. The last version, the Bf 110G, was intended for use originally as a fighter-bomber but, in view of the success of the F-4 and the increasingly heavy attacks on Germany by Allied bombers, was employed mostly as a night fighter.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a German Messerschmitt Bf 110E-2 tropical fighter that was attached to 7./Zerstorergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel", then deployed to Libya during 1942. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 10-inches
Length: 8-inches

Release Date: February 2019

Historical Account: "Horst Wessel" - Zerstorergeschwader 26 was formed in early 1936 from the Jagdgeschwader 134 "Horst Wessel". The Geschwaderstab and I. Gruppe was located in Dortmund, II. Gruppe in Werl and III. Gruppe in Lippstadt. The Geschwader was subordinated to Luftflotte 2. The Geschwader was re-equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 110 shortly before the outbreak of World War II.

Following the Battle of Britain, the three Gruppen of Zerstorergeschwader 26 remained intact and were withdrawn to Germany to rest and re-equip in November and December 1940. Many of the Zerstorergeschwadern previously employed on day operations were now converted into the night fighter role for home defense. However, the proposed re-designation of I. and II./Zerstorergeschwader 26 as I. and II./Nachjagdgeschwader 4 was suspended, and these two Gruppen formed part of the aerial support provided by the Luftwaffe for the forthcoming Balkans campaign.

VIII. Fliegerkorps assembled the attacking force, including Zerstorergeschwader 26 for the offensive to begin on April 6th, I./Zerstorergeschwader 26 escorting to bombers attacking Belgrade. Encountering Bf-109Es of the Yugoslavian Air Force, two enemy machines were claimed shot down, but the Zerstorer lost five in return. In the south, II./Zerstorergeschwader 26 lost two Bf-110s while III./Zerstorergeschwader 26 also claimed two Yugoslavian Air Force Bf-109s. The end of the first day broke the resistance of the Yugoslavian air force and the Zerstorers switched to attacking ground targets in support of the advancing German troops. On January 31st, III./Zerstorergeschwader 26 became the first Luftwaffe unit to go to North Africa. The unit transferred to Castel Benito, Sirte, and Arco Philaenorum. A Bf-110 from the Gruppe which became the first German aircraft to be lost in North Africa when it forced-landed behind British lines on February 14th.