Kjetil Åkra

I have just received Airfix´new surprise release Messerschmitt Me 410 A-1 kit and as one of the kit marking options are from Norway (thank you, Airfix) I'd like to address briefly some smaller errors in that option, if I may. The decal option in question deals with Me 410 A-1 W.Nr. 420007, marked 3U+AV from 11./ZG 26 and found at Gardermoen after the end of the war. All good so far. It is this machine: However, the quite distinctive camouflage present on the tail fin and tail planes and rear part of this aircraft, is in fact based on that of another Messerschmitt Me 410 A-1 discovered in Norway after the war, W. Nr. 120 007, also from 11./ZG 26, but photographed at Oerlandet air base in Central Norway (near Trondheim), i.e. quite far from Gardermoen. So, if you want an accurate depiction of W.Nr. 420 007, 3U+AV, DO NOT paint the distinctive camouflage pattern on the tail planes, tail fin and rear fuselage as depicted in the Airfix instructions! This confusion has no doubt arisen because of the similarity of the Werkenummern and is quite understandable. The machine which camouflage has been transposed onto W. Nr. 420 007, 3U+AV, looked like this, that is, the parts that remained after its initial destruction after the war when it was photographed, which was basically the tail and rear fuselage: The individual code of this machine are unfortunately hard to make out. It looks like it could be an "A" there which has been either painted out in white or damaged by fire (which may also explain why Airfix thought it was the same machine as 3U+AV?), but notice the back letters beneath the white areas, most likely the are the original individual code and staffed letter "V". In a booklet I wrote together with Andreas Brekken on the Me 410 in Norway,. I interpreted this machine as being 3u+IV, but please note that that is just exactly that, an interpretation! What is certain is that it is NOT 3U+AV as seen at Gardermoen! A few comments regarding the W.Nr. As the photo immediately above shows, there are some parts of the W.Nr. 120 007 that can be read on top of the fin, perhaps another reason Airfix thought this was 420 007 as the first part of the W.Nr. is not visible on the photograph. For some reason, Airfix has given the W.Nr. as "140 007" on the decal sheet, but it should be 420 007 as described above. Unfortunately, the other decal options is W.Nr. 420 292, so all you need to do to get a correct depiction of W. Nr. 420 007 is to exchange part of this decal. Note that if it was present on 3U+Av the W.Nr. would only have been present on the starboard side of the tail fin (see photo above). Below you'll find two profiles of the aircraft, although the profiles are rather old and not so good: I hope this helps a little in making the best out of Airfix´new kit. And the kit itself is absolutely gorgeous, in my opinion. I can't wait to start mine! Kjetil

Oh, the very same I have planned to build! Lovely result! I like this one so much I had to make a profile of it!

Amazing book! The best on aircraft engine I've ever read. Kjetil

I love this plane. I just managed to get trhe book on the type, even if it was very expensive. You will find loads of interesting schemes for the C.445 in it! https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30921799916&cm_sp=collections-_-4n8hdS3dyDiSnq9Nnw6Tcp_item_1_34-_-bdp Lovely build! I have one in my stash I'll build as one serving with a unit in Norway.

Very nice model indeed!

Oh, that is fantastic! Thanksforsharing.

My pleasure. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Thanks. Under the wingsonly the individualletter appeared in black, in the case above the "A".

A typical Bf 110G-2 from this time would look something like this (my drawing):

Here'sthe page in question:

Yes, that would be 13.(Z)/JG 5. They flew pretty much standard Bf 110G-2s at the time, sometimes with an additional twin MG 151 canister under the fuselage. Unfortunately, I know of no image of 1B+NX from this time so its specifics are not known. But it was almost certainly finished in standard RLM 74/75/76 colours with black codes. The story of your father's shootdown from the German perspective is to be found in Erik Mombeek's JG 5 chronicles,Vol.1. p. 217, but only in German, unfortunately. Let me know if you want a scan of the page. Kjetil

As someone with a special interest in the Argentine aircraft generally and especially of the Malvinas war, it never ceases to amaze me how alive the "threat" from Argentina still is in the minds of many British. This thread was interesting so thanks for all the input. I too, will be most eager to see what Argentina eventually ends up with regarding their interceptor force. To me the JF 17 does not seem too bad a choice, but from a modeller's perspective that plane is just ugly! I think the MiG-35 would be the best choice, though, if the Argentinians could ever scrape together enough financial support to buy the numbers needed.

No problem, mate. If you need more info on Soviet bombs I have a WWII German report detailing them with great illustrations. Kjetil

I didn't look, promise!! 🙂

Sometimes we need to be reminded! Especially about aviation books, there is so much we want to get hold of, right!? 🙂