Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer 1/72 Scale Models

German Bf 110D (Iraq) - This is a model of a heavy fighter that Hitler sent to Mosul to help the Iraqis fight the British in May 1941. They were repainted with Iraqi markings, but they were still flown by Luftwaffe pilots, and maintained by Luftwaffe ground crews. The first version of the BF 110 entered Luftwaffe service in 1937, and the plane enjoyed some initial successes at the beginning of WWII. But the RAF's more nimble modern single-seat fighters inflicted heavy losses on Bf 110s beginning with the air battle over Dunkirk in May, 1940. After further losses during the Battle of Britain, the Germans began using the Bf 110 only in situations where it didn't have to deal with enemy fighters, and the Ju 88C took over the Luftwaffe's heavy fighter role. The Bf 110 still performed well in the ground support role in the Balkans and the Soviet Union, and on long range missions in North Africa. It was also used successfully as a day fighter against American heavy bombers over Europe - but only when the bombers lacked fighter cover. The Germans supplied Bf 110s to Italy, Hungary and Romania.

More Photos: Left, Right, Front, Top, Rear, Front Angle Right, Front Angle Left, Rear Angle Right, Rear Angle Left

German Bf 110G-4 - This is a model of a short-range night fighter that flew against the British night bombing campaign over Germany in 1944. In the darkness, the Bf 110 could take advantage of its heavy armament without having to deal with more maneuverable modern single-seat fighters. It was the most successful night fighter in history, and radar-equipped Bf 110 night fighter units remained effective until the end of the war. The Germans, however, quit making the Bf 110 in 1941 in order to facilitate the production of its replacement, the Messerschmitt Me 210. But the Me 210 design was a failure so Bf 110 production was resumed in 1942. That same year the G variant was introduced, having better engines and a more aerodynamic design.

More Photos: Left, Right, Top, Front Angle Right, Front Angle Left, Rear Angle Right, Rear Angle Left

Air Battle Dunkirk, Norman Franks

Air War for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete 1940-1941, Christopher Shores

The Battle of Britain, Richard Hough

Black Cross/Red Star: The Air War Over the Eastern Front, Volume 1, Operation Barbarossa, Christer Bergstrom

Black Cross/Red Star; The Air War Over the Eastern Front: Resurgence, January - June 1942, Christer Bergstrom

Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II, David Mondey

Courage Alone: The Italian Airforce 1940-1943, Chris Dunning

Dust Clouds in the Middle East: The Air War for East Africa, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Madagascar, 1940-42,  Christopher Shores

Fighters Over the Desert: The Air Battles in the Western Desert. June 1940 to December 1942, Christopher Shores

Fighters Over France and the Low Countries, Bartlomiej Belcarz

Fledgling Eagles; The Complete Account of Air Operations During the "Phoney War" and Norwegian Campaign, 1940, Christopher Shores

Fortress Ploesti: The Campaign to Destroy Hitler's Oil, Jay Stout

German Aircraft of the Second World War, Antony Kay

German Night Fighter Aces of World War 2, Jerry Scutts

German Night Fighters in World War II, Manfred Griehl

Ground Attack Aircraft of WWII, Christopher Shores

Hidden Victory: The Battle of Habbaniya, May 1941, A.G. Dudgeon

In the Skies of Europe: Air Forces Allied to the Luftwaffe 1939-1945, John Cochrane

Luftwaffe Camouflage & Markings 1933-1945, Ken Merrick

Luftwaffe Fighter Aircraft in Profile, C. Sundin

Messerschmitt Bf 110: Bombsights over England, John Vasco

Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of WWII, John Weal

The Messerschmitt Bf 110: Over All Fronts 1939-1945, Holger Nauroth

Messerschmitt Bf 110: Zerstorer in Action, Jerry Campbell

Rumanian Air Force WWII, Denes Bernad

Twelve Days in May; The Air Battle for Northern France and the Low Countries, May 1940, Brian Cull

Warplanes of the Luftwaffe, David Donald

Warplanes of the Third Third Reich, William Green