Eduard 1/48th Messerschmitt Bf110G-4 Weekend Edition
By Winston Gould
The first pages of history for the famous Zerstörer Bf 110 were written at the end of 1934, when C-Amt RLM (the technical branch of the Reich's Air Ministry) issued a specification for a two seat, twin-engined aircraft to fulfill a need within the Kamfzerstörer category. Submitted proposals came from Focke-Wulf (Fw57), Henschel (Hs 124) and BFW(Messerschmitt Bf 110). In the spring of 1935, the RLM changed its thinking on the spec, and cancelled the universal Kamfzerstörer category in favor of two specific types, the Schnellbomber and the Zerstörer.
The new concept of a heavy fighter of the RLM was best satisfied by the Messerschmitt design, which wasn't really dictated as much by the original specifications. The first prototype, the Bf 110 V1, first flew May 12, 1936, and the modified second prototype V2 was submitted to the Erprobungstelle in Rechlin on January 14, 1937. Four development aircraft, A-01 toA-04, powered by JUMO210Da engines, were delivered at the beginning of 1938. A production run of 45Bf 110Bs began in July, powered by JUMO 210Ga engines, delivering some 500kW (680hp). At the end of 1938, the production line for the high performance DB 601 finally got going, and these were mounted into the first major Bf 110 version, the Bf 110C. The Bf 110C, like its predecessor the Bf 110B, was armed with two MGFF cannon, mounted in the fuselage below the cockpit floor. In addition four MG 17 machine guns were mounted in the nose and one rear firing MG 15 machine gun was manned by the gunner/radio operator. There was a crew of two. The Luftwaffe received a total of 169 Bf 110Cs by September, 1939. The first combat experience of the type in Norway and France uncovered a small operational radius, unsuitable for an escort fighter. The first attempt to remedy the shortcoming came in the form of a large, under-fuselage conformal type external fuel tank, called the Dackelbauch.
The Bf 110C-3, adapted to carry this tank, wads renamed the D-0. Results were not entirely satisfactory with the D version. The fuel system was redesigned, after which the D variant carried two drop tanks under the wings, and a small oil tank under the fuselage. The Bf 110D also standardized a longer fuselage, by way of an extension at the rear carrying a life raft and other emergency survival gear. The lengthened fuselage was also evident on some subsequent Bf 110Es, which were equipped with bomb racks under the fuselage and wings. The majority of Bf 110Es were powered by the DB 601N engines. The following Bf 110F received the DB 601F engines housed in reshaped nacelles, with newer, more rounded spinners, aerodynamic features taken from the Bf 109F. Upgrading efforts were noted in the armament as well, where the MG FF were replaced by MG151s. Significant changes came with the Bf 110G, powered by new DB 605 engines. The rear firing MG 82Z double gun appeared on the G-2, and with the G-4 came the replacement of four forward firing machine guns with two 30mm MK108 cannon. The G-4 also saw larger rudders mounted.
The Bf 110 went through not only technical changes throughout its career, but also through a development of its operational use. It entered the war as a heavy escort and attack fighter. By the time of the Battle of Britain, it became apparent that the aircraft, in the role of escort fighter, had been pushing the envelope of its capabilities. On the contrary, as a defensive weapon against British bombers, the Bf 110 made an extremely good showing of itself, and remained a deadly foe through to the end of the war. The placement of RAF bombing operations within nighttime hours from 1941 brought the Bf 110 into the realm of night fighting on the Western Front. On the Eastern Front, they excelled as fast fighter bombers. Their earlier role as a day attack fighter was still fulfilled not only on the Eastern Front (where they were employed throughout the war successfully even as the originally envisioned escort fighter), but also on the Western Front into the depths of the summer of 1944, where the role was abandoned primarily, and finally.
As a Nachtjager or Night Fighter in the G-4 version, thanks to a heavy forward firing armament and radar, they soldiered on literally until the very end of the war. Indeed, it was the night fighter role that would prove to be the most significant for the Bf 110 during the course of the Second World War.
The Bf110G-4 Version (From Eduard Instruction Sheet for Bf110G-4 (Kit # 8206)):
The evolution of the Bf 110 line was to continue in 1941 with the introduction of the Me 210, a result of the development of the original design coupled with combat experience. Major ongoing problems with the prototypes and unspectacular results in combat halted production of Me 210 at under 300. The role of the heavy fighter and fighter-bomber for the Luftwaffe would need to continue to be served by the Bf 110, calling for a list of changes and modifications. The installation of the newly developed DB 605 engines (1470hp at higher performance) allowed for the development of the stronger and aerodynamically refined ‘G’ version, represented in combat by the G-2 and G-4.
Although the G-2 variant (Eduard Cat. No. 8205) found its role especially as a heavy day defender, the domain of the G-4 was that of the night fighter. The nocturnal air war over Germany in 1943 saw the RAF targeting German industry and logistical centers. The night fighter was a distinctive piece of equipment that found widespread use on both sides. The droning of RAF Lancasters and Halifaxes was an almost nightly ritual over German cities, factories and harbors. Night fighting Mosquitoes were tasked with dispatching German defenders before they could intercept their bigger brothers. The Luftwaffe countered with a sophisticated system of radars and central facilities connected to the night fighters bases in a ground control intercept network.
Night air combat was very different from that of daylight dog fights not only due to physical conditions, but also through the necessary development of specialized tactics. Instead of aerobatic maneuvering and jockeying, it became preferred to slowly position behind the target, get in close, and hit hard. Naturally, acquiring a target in low light presented the need for entirely new approaches on its own. Aircraft during this timeframe needed new armament combinations and electronic equipment to maximize usefulness. Generally, there was no great use for single-engined developments, although there were successful evolutions of the Bf109 and Fw190 in this role (Eduard Cat.No1144).
The bulk of that duty was carried out by twin engine types whose original role was either that of heavy day-fighter or, more likely, as bombers, such as the Bf110 (Eduard Cat. No. 8206), Ju 88, Ju 188, He 219, Me 262 (Eduard Cat. No. 4421), and others. The Bf 110G-4 was the most prolific of all of them. The required equipment for the G-4 was an on-board radar system, mainly the FuG 202, FuG 220, FuG 212 (+SN-2) and FuG 218. Part of the basic armament was often the installation of 30 mm MK 108 cannon in the nose, and 20mm Schräge Musik cannon (slang term for 'Jazz Music', prohibited in Germany at that time) used when the target was above and slightly ahead of the attacking fighter. Although the Luftwaffe was unable to stop the RAF raids, which steadily increased until the end of the war, the Bf 110G-4 and their crews deserve great respect for their combat success.
Bf110G-4 Wr.Nr. 110087, 4./NJG3, Kjevik, Norway, 1945Wr.Nr. 110087, 4./NJG3, Kjevik, Norway, 1945 (From Eduard Instruction Sheet for Bf110G-4 (Kit # 8404)):
4./NJG 3 was formed in March, 1945, out of Nachtjagdstaffel Norwegen, a unit that operated independently from Norway. The purpose of the unit was to intercept allied aircraft over Scandinavia. Besides the Bf110G, the unit also flew the Ju88G and the He219. Its last function was on May 8, 1945, evacuating German unit officers from the surrounding areas. Aircraft B4+KA probably did not take part in this final action, because the end of the war found the aircraft still at Kjevik, in Norway. The aircraft carried FuG 220 SN-2b with vertical dipoles, and with an older type of mounting. It carried a camouflage scheme of irregular fields of RLM 76 and RLM 75 on upper surfaces, and RLM 76 on the lower surfaces. The lower surface of the starboard wing and engine cowl were oversprayed in black. This aircraft is recorded as crewed by Fw. Kurt Keilig (pilot), Fw. Kurt Schroter (radio operator) and Uffz. Karl Stamminger (mechanic). This aircraft was armed with (2 X 30mm) MK 108 cannons in the nose, (2 X 7.92mm) MG 17 machine guns for rear gunner and the Schräge Musik (Jazz Music) upward firing (2 X 20mm) MG FF/M cannons in the upper fuselage. The antenna array is the FuG (Funk-Gerät) 220 Lichtenstein SN-2.
Eleven sprues (9 in tan-colored plastic, two clear plastic), with a total of 340 parts. One decal option is included, for Bf110G-4 Wr.Nr. 110087, 4./NJG3, Kjevik, Norway, 1945Wr.Nr. 110087, 4./NJG3, Kjevik, Norway, 1945. These markings are also one of four options included in the Eduard Bf110G-4 kit number 8206. This kit is Eduard's standard Bf110G-4 offering (Cat. No. 8206) without the photo-etch sets, specific instructions for the different nose/antenna variations or the multiple markings. The specific differences added to kit 8206 is an additional sprue, ‘D’, which contains the external ordnance/fuel tanks, photo etch detail parts for the cockpit, masks for the canopy and wheels; and the decals with four versions of Bf110G-4. Kit 8206 site is located here.
The surface detail is nice with a smooth finish, engraved panel lines and raised detail as appropriate for the aircraft. The 16-page instruction sheet is a black and white, A4 sheet folded in half. Construction is shown in 12 packed and very busy steps. Color references are for Gunze's Mr. Color and Mr. Metal Color lines of lacquer paints, with RLM (Reichs Luftfahrt Ministerium – Reich Air Ministry) numbers being referenced without the color name. The RLM numbers used are: RLM 02 - RLM GRAU, RLM 66 – SCHWARZGRAU, RLM 70 – SCHWARZGRÜN, RLM 75 – GRAUVIOLETT, RLM 76 – LICHTBLAU, RLM 83 – DUNKELGRÜN. I recommend the RLM-FS cross-reference at 12 O’Clock High.
There is one page for stencil decal application and one page dedicated to the unit-specific aircraft markings. The final page is an advertisement for other Eduard releases. Eduard refers you to their web site for color examples of the aircraft markings. You can find the site here. Eduard calls these the ‘Info Page’ for each kit they offer. This page also contains the kit contents (photos of each sprue), instructions (in .PDF format), reviews, marking options (in color) and related Eduard products (photo-etched and masks).
Construction starts with a very detailed cockpit – no photo-etch required. Next is the aft cockpit/armament – this is the innovative, upward-firing MG FF/M Schräge Musik installation. The cockpit sidewalls are added, radio/radar instruments added to the main bulkhead and the complete installation is placed in the main fuselage. The main fuselage is closed up and then you progress to the nose. The two very-detailed MK 108 cannon are built in the nose and the rear MG17 machine guns are added to the main fuselage. The nose cannons are so well detailed that you might want to leave the upper nose cover free to display your hard work. You next add the nose to the main fuselage and then you move on to the wings. The engine cowls, main landing gear bay details and radiators are added to each wing at this time. Now it all comes together – the fuselage, wings, horizontal stabilizers, vertical stabilizers and tail wheel are combined. I would recommend leaving off the tail wheel until painting/decals are done. The main landing gear is next, then the gear doors, engine exhausts are built and some antenna are added to the wings. Once again, your call – but I would leave off the gear and small antenna until finished with painting/decals. The engine exhausts are added to the cowls, the propellers are built and then the ‘glass house’ canopy is added. Next comes the under fuselage bomb racks and the FuG 220 array. This is where you definitely want to consider building the array and saving it for last (once again – after painting/decals) – notice the trend here? That’s it for construction. Paint and decal per the instructions (or find another scheme that you like) and then add the other, more fragile assemblies. I will be building this kit over the Summer and will continue with another full-build review in the Fall.
This kit is exactly what Eduard advertises for its ‘Weekend Edition’ kits: One version, all plastic (no etched, masks or ‘extras’) and a ‘no frills’ instruction sheet. You do get plenty of extras for the spares box, to include the different noses and antenna arrays for other Bf110G night fighter versions. Watch Internet Modeler for a full build review in the Fall. Highly recommended, especially if you want to build a quality out-of-the-box Bf110G-4. Thank you Eduard for providing the review sample.
