Messerschmitt Bf 110C/E over MTO (1164) Limited Edition

[Mike]

Messerschmitt Bf 110C/E over MTO (Limited Edition)

1:48 Eduard

The development of the Bf.110 began in response to an RLM requirement for a heavy fighter, or Zerstorer, which means Destroyer. Its entry into service was hampered by a lack of suitably advanced engines until the famous DB601 power plant was fitted to it in late 1938, when production finally went into over-drive with the C-model. Nicknamed “Ironsides” by Goering, who was a big fan of the aircraft despite its lack of top speed and manoeuvrability, it went on to serve throughout WWII, and fought alongside its replacements, the ill-fated Me.210 and disappointing Me.410.

The C model was a dedicated Zerstorer, having four MG17 machine guns in the upper nose, and two 20mm cannons in the lower nose area. The E model was a fighter bomber (Zerstorer Jabo), and was fitted with bomb racks that could take up to four 50kg bombs and an upgraded engine.

This special edition features five airframes that fought in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations (MTO), in Greece, North Africa and Italy. The usual Eduard box has a picture of a sand coloured 100, flying toward us, and inside is the usual stack of sprues in an olive green styrene, numbering 9 in total. Two sprues of clear parts are also supplied in separate ziplok style bags, plus a bag of resin wheels, canopy masks, two sheets of Photo-Etch (PE) metal, a square sheet of decals, and the instruction booklet.

If you’ve seen inside the box of an Eduard Bf.110 before, much of the styrene will be familiar, as will be the fine surface detail and optional components. The cockpit is especially well done, with styrene and PE parts building up into a busy and realistic looking office, with a choice of either plastic or laminated PE instrument panels, with differing parts for some marking choices, all of which are called out during the build. In order to have some semblance of an idea as to where you are going, it will be necessary to choose your markings from those available from the outset, and it might be wise to mark down your options on the instruction sheet before you begin.

The radio fit on the front bulkhead of the rear compartment is built up from separate boxes, and the cannons with their large circular ammo-boxes fit below this area, with the boxes protruding into the cockpit area to facilitate changes from the small supply mounted to one side. The rear mounted MG also has a rack of 10 smaller double magazines, arranged in two rows at the rear of the cockpit. The pilot’s station attaches to the bulkhead once complete, and the side panels are added to form a tub that fits within the fuselage. More detail specific to each marking choice is added to the interior of the fuselage around the pilot before the cockpit is enclosed, resulting in a fine replica of this busy area. There are two pairs of fuselages supplied, one with a short boat-tail and one with an extended tail, which again only applies to some decal options.

The nose, with its 4 machine guns is made up from one of the two sets of optional parts, which install on the lower nose part, and the upper nose cowling is then built up with internal ribbing, then slid onto the barrels on the lower nose. It seems that there is room for error here, resulting in a mis-alignment between the nose and fuselage, so test-fitting will be important here.

The engine nacelles build up onto the wing parts, again with plenty of extra rib detail included, with a choice of parts for different versions. Again, careful choice of parts will be needed, and test fitting of the major parts before installation will ensure that no misalignment occurs here. The wings and tail install to the fuselage using traditional slots and tabs, so take care in getting the alignment right, supporting or taping the main planes and tail until the glue cures. The main control surfaces on the wing are posable, but the flaps are moulded into the wing and nacelle areas, and would require substantial work to mobilise. The tail control surfaces are similarly moulded integrally, but would require only saw-cuts to mobilise, adding extra visual interest to the area.

A choice of tail wheels is given, and for mainwheels either the styrene parts can be used for marking D, or they can be replaced by a crisply moulded set of resin wheels which aren’t weighted, but a flat spot can quickly be sanded onto the bottom to give a more realistic “sit”. For the other marking choices, another set of resin wheels are supplied with larger hubs and different raised tread on the tyres. Again, a flat spot can be sanded on the bottom to add a weighted look. A diagram shows the correct position of the wheels in relation to the ground, which should help with getting it right. Masks are supplied for the hubs, making painting a doddle.

A pair of resin filters are supplied for marking choice A, and with the small fittings you have plenty of choices to make, depending on which aircraft you are modelling. The exhaust stubs, which are different on the inboard side of the nacelles, assemble from individual stubs onto a backing plate, but the ends aren’t open, so you will either need to take the pin-vice and drill them out, or leave them as is. Hollow exhausts can also be had quite cheaply on the aftermarket scene if you don’t relish creating square openings to each pipe.

The canopy parts are many and various, with excellent clarity and good framing definition. Again, which parts you use depends on which marking option you are using, so take care in snipping the correct parts from the sprues for your chosen subject. The canopies can be posed open or closed fore and aft, which will show off the busy interior. Pre-cut masks are provided for all options, and a diagram shows which piece of kabuki tape goes where.

The bomb racks under the fuselage and outboard of the engine nacelles are used on two of the decal choices, and their mounting holes must be opened up under the wings earlier in the build, so don’t forget! Two 50kg bombs under the fuselage and four 25kg bombs are carried on the wings, making for a rather busy underside.

The decal choices are varied with 5 aircraft on offer, covering four different colour schemes, so there should be plenty of choice to suit (almost) everyone within the kit decals. They are printed in Italy (appropriately) by Cartograf, and have dense colour and good register. A number of decals are also supplied for application to the styrene instrument panels if you don't fancy hand painting them, and lots of stencils are included, which are dealt with separately on the rear page of the instruction booklet.

From the box you can build one of five schemes, as follows:

• Bf 110E Trop, 8./ZG 26 Derna Airbase, Libya, 1942 (RLM 79 over 78)
  
• Bf 110E Nachtjagd Division, Mediterranean, 1941 (overall black with yellow nacelle undersides)
  
• Bf 110E Oblt. Theodor Rossiwall, Co of 5./ZG 16, Argos Greec, May-June 1941 (RLM74/75 splinter over RLM76, with mottled sides)
  
• Bf 110C-3 235a Squadriglia, Lonate Pozzolo Airbase, Italy, Spring 1943 (RLM70/71 splinter over black, with Verde Olivia splinters on the rear fuselage)
  
• Bf 110E Heinz Nacke, 6./ZG 76, Greece, 1941 (RLM74/75 splinter over RLM76, with mottled sides)
  

This last decal choice is detailed only in profile on the instruction booklet front, with the full profiles on the Eduard website.

Conclusion

A rather nice limited edition of Eduard’s excellent 110, with plenty of decal options out of the box. The addition of some more accurate and detailed resin main wheels is a nice option, although some open ended exhausts would have been nice too. It is widely regarded as the best 110 in 1:48, although test fitting of the engine nacelles and the nose cone is recommended.

To me, the black option is tempting, although I think I’ll wait until the new Lifecolor “blacks” set is available.

Highly recommended

Review sample courtesy of

[Paul A H]

Very nice indeed. I can't wait for their 1:72 BF110. If it's as good as their recent Hellcat then it'll be a real winner!