Meng Messerschmitt Me.410B-2/U2/R4 1:48

[Mike]

Messerschmitt Me.410B-2/U2/R4
1:48 Meng via Creative Models

The Aggressively styled two-engined Me-410 Hornisse started life as the Me-210, designed as a replacement for the Bf-110, and was instigated before WWII started, although its protracted gestation is hardly surprising when you consider the problems that presented themselves before it could be turned into an even remotely successful heavy fighter/bomber. The 210 suffered from some unpleasant handling characteristics, and garnered such a poor reputation that when design for the substantial changes needed to fix these problems (initially designated the 210D) was underway, the decision was made to rename it the 410.

The 410 utilised an improved DB603A engine, lengthened fuselage to improve the centre of gravity, and amended wing planform to give the wing a constant sweep-back at the front to bring the aerodynamic centre further forward. Coupled with leading-edge slats that had been removed from the initial 210 design, the result was an aircraft that was significantly more pleasant to fly, had a respectable top speed and could carry a substantial war-load.

On entering service in 1943, the initial success as a night bomber over the UK was most definitely not a portent of things to come. The 410 was a day late and a dollar short, so to speak, and no sooner had it reached the front-line and started attacking the bomber streams, than the Allies darkened the skies with fast, manoeuvrable single-engined fighters such as the Spitfire and Mustang, which could easily out-fly the 410. Pitched into battle alone, they were easy prey to the Allied fighters, and the balance was only slightly shifted by the introduction of Br.109 and Fw.190 escorts. The heavy losses eventually resulted in the removal of the 410 from front-line service to duties closer to home, and some limited use as a high-level reconnaissance aircraft.

Due to its relatively short career, the marks did not progress beyond the B model, although high altitude C and D models were planned. The 410 was quite innovative in its weapons carriage though, and had a nose-mounted weapons bay, which could house a palette of munitions, either bombs, cannon, cameras or the 50mm Bordkanone that was used to attack the daylight bomber raids. Due to the upgraded engines, a pair of bomb shackles had to be added to the inner wing undersides, as the 410 could carry more weight than its bomb bay could contain. The twin remote controlled "barbettes" on each side of the mid fuselage were also of note. They were controlled by the rear gunner using a traditional pistol-grip, and could traverse up and down, but also could flip out sideways to fire at an enemy behind and to one side. Movement and aiming was all done by controls attached to the pistol grip, and must have surprised more than one potential assailant.

After the war, numerous of these interesting aircraft were taken as war prizes by the Allies, but sadly only two full airframes exist today, one in RAF Cosford in a fully-restored state, which until the 1980s was capable of ground-running, the other awaiting preservation in the UK at the National Air & Space Museum.


The Kit
Meng's initial releases of this lovely kit were some time ago now, and this boxing marks the third variant that they have extracted from the moulds, which has been achieved by using a small "accessory" sprue with the various non-common parts, and one of two windscreen parts on a smaller clear sprue that is separate from the main glazing. We reviewed the original release in 2013 when it arrived, and you can see that here, with the later bomber variant here reviewed later that year.

My impression of the kit hasn't changed in the intervening years, and it still stacks up well either as a stand-alone kit, or by comparison with the old and inaccurate Monogram kit. This variant carried a pair of larger 13mm MG131 machine guns for additional destructive power, while the expected speed increase due to new engines didn't materialise after the project was cancelled. As a result it still languished behind other types in terms of speed and couldn't achieve its full potential. It was also able to carry two 20mm MG151 cannons in a gondola under the belly, giving it a highly concentrated offensive armament that would make short work of any target which came into range.

The internal armament parts remain unchanged, as little other than the barrel muzzles will be seen once the model is complete, and construction follows the same lines as before with only the two gun packs differing from the earlier boxings. The MG131s are inserted into the bomb bay area under the nose in a tubular "pod", with their barrels protruding from the nose, and the pod covering the redundant MG17s in the centre of the bay. As before the bay can be posed open or closed using the same parts, as can the large canopy. Additional armament is included in the shape of 210mm Werfer-Granate 21 rockets, which were also used by ground troops in the Nebelwerfer 42 that I built recently. These were carried under the wings in tubes that were canted upwards at the front to counter ballistic drop as these heavy projectiles sped to their preset aiming point in the bomber stream, with a 30m destructive sphere on detonation. It's fortunate for the Allied bombers that they weren't terribly accurate.

The highlights of the kit are a well-detailed cockpit with intricately shaped glazing and accurate framework, plus a pair of nicely done DB603 engines in the engine nacelles. The gun/bomb bay is also well stocked with parts, and with the addition of a number of Photo-Etch (PE) parts throughout, the whole kit reeks of quality tooling.


Markings
There are three markings options in this boxing, all of which share the same camouflage scheme, which is a soft splinter of RLM74/75 with mottle on the fuselage sides, over RLM76. It seems that the paint call-outs and their arrows have been omitted from this printing of the instruction booklet, but as it is in colour, it shouldn't be too tricky to decide the correct colours to use. From the box you can build one of the following:

• I./ZG 26 Luftwaffe West Europe 1944 coded 3U+AA – white tail band and black/white spiral spinners.
• I./ZG 76 Luftwaffe Czechoslovakia 1944 coded 2M8+- – Yellow tail band and black spinners.
• 9./ZG 1 Luftwaffe Germany 1944 coded 6U+NT – black/white spiral spinners.

As always, the decals have been printed by Cartograf, and have their usual standard of register, sharpness and colour density, and you'll be pleased to hear that the spinner spirals are provided as white decals, and there are plenty of stencils to add visual interest to the skin of the aircraft.


Conclusion
Another winner from the Meng stable, although a bit of variation in schemes would have been nice. In fairness however, there were very few airframes of any variant of the Hornisse, so choice is limited.

Very highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[woody37]

I think the 210 breaks the first rule of aviation in that if it looks right, it'll fly right, a gorgeous design that as you say didn't fly very well. Tempted by this, looks great although that canopy looks a bit fiddly for ol' sausage fingers here!

[Mike]

Nah... you'll do alright.

[dazdot]

Building the bomber now and it's a lovely kit. Surprised I haven't seen more built on here really

[Head in the clouds.]

Well Dazdot, that will soon be remedied when you show us your build, looking forward to it.

Regards

Gary

[Housesparrow]

I like hearing about less familiar kit manufacturers. As for Meng, I am drooling for their new 1:35 Shilka kit.

[usetherudders]

Bought the original release sitting there in the stash waiting it's time, lovely kit.

[dazdot]

mines now in RFI

[Duncan B]

Thanks for the review, I'm seriously tempted even though it's 1/48.

Duncan B

[Mike]

Why not treat yourself & give in? I'll make it even easier & paste in the Buy It Now button so you don't even have to scroll

[lesthegringo]

Why not treat yourself & give in? I'll make it even easier & paste in the Buy It Now button so you don't even have to scroll

Now that's just plain evil.......

[Billydick]

Hey it's even on discount 35% off - down from £46.99 to £30.54 ! Bargain !

BillyD