 Messerschmitt
Bf 110C, D, and E
An Illustrated Study
Variants, Weapons, Equipment
By John Vasco and Fernando Estanislau
Classic Publications, ©2008
ISBN 978-1-903223-89-5
Hardbound, 192 Pages
Available from Specialty Press for $54.95
With the recent Eduard 1/48 kit and the upcoming Dragon 1/32 kit, interest
in the Messerschmitt Bf 110 is high. Capitalizing on this recent resurgence
of interest, Classic Publications has come out with what is likely to
be the definitive reference on the early Bf 110 variants.
While other Luftwaffe fighters have received extensive coverage, the
Bf 110 has slipped through the cracks, often getting only a cursory overview.
The later night fighter variants have gathered the lion’s share
of coverage when the Bf 110 comes up, but it is the early variants that
are the most fascinating, at least to me. The concept of the heavy fighter
is really set forth in these early Bf 110s, and this book helps make sense
of those original aircraft.
Rather than provide a detailed examination of every nook and cranny
of the Bf 110, the authors have (quite wisely I might add) chosen to document
the changes seen from the Bf 110B through the Bf 110E. In this manner
we can see how the changing role of the heavy fighter evolved, both in
airframe and weapons. The book is therefore divided according to type,
such as the Bf 110C-1 or D-0. Each section has a text reference of the
differences from the previous type, as well as photos and drawings to
further highlight those changes. The drawings are particularly useful,
as they are shaded profile illustrations, but without markings or camouflage.
In this manner we can see quite well the specific shapes, far better than
a plain set of scale drawings.
In addition to these shaded drawings, the book also contains many excerpts
from original maintenance manuals and factory drawings. Those, coupled
with close-up photos, present the Bf 110 in excellent detail, making this
book invaluable to the modeler and researcher. No longer will you have
to take the photo caption in a book as proof of a specific Bf 110 variant,
you can now use this book and determine exactly what variant that photo
shows.
This book should find its way onto the shelves of any Luftwaffe enthusiast.
The well written text, quality drawings, and impressive collection of
photos make it one of the best references out there on the Bf 110. My
thanks to Specialty Press
for the review copy.
|
|