Messerschmitt Bf 110

The Messerschmitt Bf110 (later Me110) was a twin-engined heavy fighter in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Based around the concept of the long-range Zerstörer or "Destroyer Fighter" the Bf110 enjoyed some success in the Polish and French campaigns before the Battle of Britain revealed its fatal weaknesses as a daylight fighter against single-engined aircraft. Eventually withdrawn from daylight fighting, the Bf110 enjoyed later success as a night fighter where its range, firepower and ability to mount a radar stood it in good stead. It was also used as a ground attack aircraft starting with the C-4/B model. Later on there dedicated ground attack versions which proved reasonably succesfull. All in all the Bf-110 served the Luftwaffe very well in various roles, except the heavy fighter role it was intended to carry out. After The Battle of Brittain Bf-110 units largely moved to the russian and medeterranian theatres of war. The production of the Bf-110 was put on a low priority in '41 and stepped up again in '42 after the developmetn of the Me-210, the Bf-110's intended succesor, proved to be unsuccesful.

Armament:

early versions had 4 MG17 machine guns and 2 MG FF/M 20 mm cannons fitted in the nose. Later versions replaced these with the more powerfull MG151/20 and some versions of the G series of aircraft had the 30 mm MK108 cannon fitted instead. The fighter-bomber versions could carry up to 2000 kg of bombs depending on the type. Some G series aircraft were built with the Schragemuzik off-bore gun system for shooting down bombers while passing underneath them instead of the MG81Z (7.92mm) defensive guns. These were used in the night fighter role.