Messerschmitt Bf 110 D/E Nachtjäger

Plastic model kit for a Messerschmitt Bf 110 D/E night fighter

• Scale 1:32
• Includes clear parts and photo-etched parts
• # Bf110E
• Antenna on the underside of the fuselage (nose section)
• Flash suppressors for the night fighter variant of the Bf110E
• Wheels precisely matching the Bf110E
• Tail wheel for the night fighter variant of the Bf110E
• Scissor link for the Bf110E landing gear
• Rudder specific to the Bf110E
• Pitot tube mounted under the wing
• Detailed nose section; optionally includes camera equipment for the Bf110E variant
• # Bf110D
• Finely replicated release cable for the life raft, crafted from pre-formed metal wire
• Rudders accurately reproduced
• Realistically detailed gun barrels, produced via slide-molding with hollow muzzles
• Detailed mount for the FuG 202 antenna (Bf110D) – provided as either an injection-molded plastic part or a photo-etched part
• Reinforced landing gear, realistically rendered
• Extended rear fuselage, accurately reproduced
• True-to-scale tail wheel

• Engine cowling produced via slide-molding with an exceptional level of detail
• Propeller blades featuring the correct, curved cross-section and true-to-scale thickness
• Posable propeller blades
• Rotating propellers
• Control surfaces rendered with precision and accuracy
• Fuselage featuring detailed representation of the metal plating
• Transparent cockpit canopy composed of multiple individual parts
• Side cockpit windows can be displayed either open or closed
• Engine cowling can be assembled in either an open or closed position
• Realistically replicated DB601 engine with fine detailing
• DB601 engine assembled from multiple individual parts
• Detailed Pitot tube on the underside of the wing
• Detailed maintenance hatches, including rivet patterns
• Cockpit canopy with a realistic rib structure (achieved via slide-molding)
• Finely detailed antenna on the cockpit canopy
• Cockpit canopy can be positioned either open or closed
• Authentically detailed instrument panel
• Detailed air intakes and Ventilation openings under the wings
• Engraved panel lines in three different depths provide an astonishing level of detail
• Rear-facing MG 15 machine gun for the gunner, complete with wind deflector
• Wings featuring an accurate airfoil profile
• Two MG FF cannons with drum magazines mounted under the fuselage
• Finely detailed air filters
• Landing gear bay with interior detailing, including delicately rendered struts
• Landing gear can be assembled in a choice of positions
• Detailed machine gun ammunition included—twin-drum magazines for the MG 15 and circular drum magazines for the MG FF
• Pilot’s seat harness enhanced with photo-etched parts
• Antenna array on the underside of the fuselage, including a loop antenna, antenna configuration, and mast
• Includes a finely detailed boarding ladder
• Four MG 17 machine guns for the forward fuselage (upper nose section)
• Unbuilt and unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The Messerschmitt Bf 110, a twin-engine heavy fighter, served with the Luftwaffe throughout the Second World War, even though pilots frequently criticized its lack of maneuverability in aerial combat.

As the war progressed, however, the aircraft found a new role as a highly successful night fighter. In fact, the Bf 110 formed the backbone of the German night fighter wings; the first night-fighting units were already in operation by 1940. In 1943 alone, Bf 110s were instrumental in the downing of 2,751 British Royal Air Force (RAF) bombers. During a single dramatic night between August and September 1943, night fighters destroyed no fewer than 123 RAF bombers. This underscores the effectiveness of the night fighter wings, which made Allied bombing raids on Germany significantly more difficult. However, this came at a high cost: for instance, within a three-month period in 1944, 15% of the aircrew members lost their lives.

The most successful night fighter pilot was Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, who achieved a total of 121 aerial victories while flying the Bf 110. The Bf 110D was designed as a heavy long-range fighter or fighter-bomber, whereas the improved and more heavily armored Bf 110E was primarily configured as a fighter-bomber.