1/48 Revell Monogram Me 110 G-2 by Will Hendriks

1/48th Revell-Monogram Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-2 Zerstörer (Destroyer)

Photos by Steve Bamford
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The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was a Luftwaffe workhorse, and was one of the few types that served in one form or another for the entire duration of the second world war. Fighter, escort fighter, fighter bomber, night fighter/intruder; the Bf 110 did it all, with varying degrees of success.

During the latter half of WWII, allied bomber formations were laying waste to the cities of the Third Reich. Existing Luftwaffe aircraft types were modified to combat these seemingly unstoppable formations. Cannon of various calibers, as well as rockets, flares, and even bombs were fitted to destroy the B-17s and B24s.

The Werfer Granat 21 was one such weapon, a tube-launched rocket propelled grenade which could be fired into the allied bomber formations outside of their defensive range. These rockets, while not very accurate, did have the effect of breaking up the bomber formations, so that the Luftwaffe fighters could close in to deal with the stragglers with their cannon and machine guns. When the long range escorting P-51 Mustangs began accompanying the bombers in significant numbers, the twin engine Luftwaffe bomber destroyers didn’t stand a chance, and suffered appalling losses.

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This model is the Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-2 from Revell-Monogram in 1/48 scale. This is a bomber destroyer version of ZG 76 armed with four WGr.21 rockets, four MG 151 20mm cannon, and a twin MG81 for defense.

The kit was built out of the box with some minor modifications. Seatbelts from the Reheat range were added to the cockpit seats. Applique armor was added to the nose section fashioned from .005” plastic card - templates for these are provided in the kit instructions: A nice touch.

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A bit of filler is required along the fuselage join, as well as the tail plane to fuselage area. Other than that, the fit is pretty good. I removed the under fuselage antenna, and later replaced it with fine wire. The parts for mounting the wing fuel tanks are a little fiddly, so I made a simple jig out of styrene sheet to line up the mounting brackets. The muzzles of the gun barrels on the belly pod were bored out with a twist drill.

The cockpit was painted Tamiya German Grey acrylic. Gunze acrylics were used for the camouflage scheme of RLM 74 and 75 greys over 76 pale blue. The side of the fuselage is mottled with these colours as well as a few spots of RLM 02 grey. The landing gear assemblies and gear bays are RLM 02.

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The entire model was then given a gloss finish with Floquil Crystal Cote. Decals are kit supplied, except for the swastika, which is from an Aeromaster sheet. Unfortunately, the kit instructions are not clear as to the placement of some of the data markings. The excellent MBI book on the Bf 110 helped here. A semi gloss finish was achieved with several light coats of Floquil Clear Flat enamel. Weathering was accomplished with ground pastel chalks and washes of Raw Umber oil paint thinned with spirits. The exhaust staining is lightly sprayed layers of Tamiya Flat Black, Earth, and Buff acrylic.

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Overall, this was an enjoyable build. The model is also a great value (it cost about half of what the Pro-Modeller Bf 110 G-4 goes for. They are basically the same kit, with a few different parts and decals). The finished model captures the sinister look of the Bf 110 Bomber Zerstörer.

Will