Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer 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 expel 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 Bf 110 was the result of Luftwaffe commander Hermann Göring's desire to create a strategic fighter called a Kampfzerstörer (battle-destroyer). Specifications for this new type were distributed to German aircraft companies in 1934. The specifications included a bomber capability, but Messerschmitt ignored this requirement, so when the German air ministry decided to drop the bomber requirement, their prototype had the advantage. The new plane, now just called a Zerstörer (destroyer), was a fast, multi-purpose heavy fighter. The BF 110 entered Luftwaffe service in 1937, and enjoyed success during the initial battles of WWII. But the 1940 air battle over Dunkirk and then the Battle of Britain showed that the Bf 110 could not outmaneuver modern single-seat fighters. By the end of 1941 there were few Bf 110s in Western Europe but the plane still proved useful in places like the Balkans, North Africa, and the Eastern Front where it encountered few modern enemy fighters, and its ability to carry heavy armament made it an effective fighter bomber. The E and F variants, introduced in 1941, recognized this, as they featured improvements that improved the Bf 110's ground attack capabilities.

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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. Production of the Bf 110 was stopped in late 1941 in order to facilitate the production of its replacement, the Messerschmitt Me 210. But the Me 210 was a failure so production of the Bf 110 was resumed in early 1942, and the G variant, with better engines and a more aerodynamic design, was introduced. The Bf 110 was found to be an excellent night fighter because it could carry heavy armament and radar gear while hiding in the darkness from more maneuverable modern single-seat fighters. In fact, 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 Bf 110G was also used successfully as a day fighter against American heavy bombers over Europe - but only when the bombers lacked fighter cover. The Heinkel He 219 was supposed to replace the Bf 110 as Germany's primary night fighter, but it never happened, and about 6,000 Bf 110s had been built when production ended in March, 1945. Germany provided some Bf 110s to Italy, Hungary and Romania.

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