Eduard 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf 110G-2 "ProfiPACK"

This is the latest release from Eduard in their range of 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf 110s. This G-2 version includes some resin and photo-etch parts, paint masks and markings for the following aircraft:

• 5./ZG 1, Wells, Austria - Winter, 1943-44.
• 5./ZG 1, Monte Covino, Italy - Summer, 1943.
• 10./ZG 26 (III.JG 5), Gossen, Norway - Spring, 1945.
• 4./ZG 76, Prague, Czechoslovakia - Spring, 1944.
• 5./NJG 200, Russia, 1943.

5./ZG 1, Wells, Austria - Winter, 1943-44.

As a component of "Reichverteidigung" (Defence of the Reich), this rocket and tub-mounted 20 mm cannon armed Bf 110G-2 of Zerstoregeschwader 1 carries a standard camouflage composed of RLM 74/75/76. Notable is the quick recognition marking consisting of the wide white band, a relic of combat operations over the MTO. The red individual aircraft letter "M", as the spinner tips, place this aircraft within the services of 5. Staffel of II. Gruppe. Atypically, the fuselage crosses lack black borders.

5./ZG 1, Monte Covino, Italy - Summer, 1943.

One of the units to be withdrawn from the eastern front and activated in Italy in the spring of 1943 was ZG 1. Here, it operated first and foremost as a Jabo (fighter-bomber) unit. For this reason, the aircraft is pictured with bomb racks and dust filters. The yellow theatre markings from the eastern front were supplemented with a white MTO fuselage band that partially obscures the codes. Over the course of 1943, the unit’s aircraft also acquired the very distinctive hornet emblem on the nose, associated with the Geschwader’s name, "Hornissen".

This aircraft belongs to the same Staffel as "2N+MN" from profile "A", but from several months prior, accounting for several marking differences. It is noteworthy how the fuselage codes differed with II./ZG 1: while this aircraft carries "S9" from Erp.Gr.210, profile "A" uses "2N" that at different times denoted II./ZG 1 and III./ZG 76. For reasons of different time frames, there is also a variation in the size of the first part of the codes.

10./ZG 26 (III.JG 5), Gossen, Norway - Spring, 1945.

A combination of predominantly light colours RLM76 and 75 make up the camouflage scheme of this aircraft belonging to III./JG 5, later ZG26. Coming off the classic fighter role of JG 5 from northern Europe, these Bf 110G-2s operated as fighter-bombers during the closing months of the war. Although JG 5 was not integrated into the "Defence of the Reich" system, it did employ the fuselage bands associated with it. Black and yellow colors assigned to JG 5 appeared also on the pictured aircraft. Fuselage Balkenkreuz appear in their later guise, made up of only the white segments. The spinners carried a white spiral over RLM 70. The individual aircraft letter "E" is repeated on the lower surfaces of the wing. Aircraft W.Nr. 210087 is sometimes interpreted as having been coded 1B+EU or 4A+EU, but the most recent evidence suggests that aircraft of 10.(Z)/JG 5 used the new code of 3U on redesignating as 10./IV./ZG 26.

4./ZG 76, Prague, Czechoslovakia - Spring, 1944.

Bf 110G-2/R1 with underslung 37 mm cannon were operated by ZG 76 within the "Defence of the Reich" system from Kbely and Ruzyn airfields (Gbell and Rusin). This armament variation could have been devastating to the USAAF, but for the fact that its combat use rather complicated. The M5 modification using the Wfr.Gr. 21 was set up so that, due to weight savings, one rocket would be carried under each wing instead of two. The aircraft was a combination of R1 and R2 field modifications, and had the GM 1 (R2) system installed for high altitude performance. This was located in the rear cockpit and required the removal of the rear firing MG 82Z. Besides the national markings, fuselage codes, yellow fuselage band, and white-tipped spinners, the aircraft carries other identifying features. The fuselage cross has a wider white segment at the expense of the black centre. The individual aircraft letter "K" is repeated under the wing. Atypically, yellow can be found on the rear fuselage in the vicinity of the tail surfaces.

5./NJG 200, Russia, 1943.

Bf 110G-2s that found their way into the services of Nachtjagdgeschwader 200 on the eastern front were used in a way worth noting. The standard Bf 110G-2 modified to M1 standard (cannon tub under the fuselage) with no on-board radar or radio modifications, was used for night fighting using the guidance system of Freya and Wurzburg (Helle Nachtjagd). The character of the war on the eastern front was hardly conducive to this type of warfare, but the actions of NJG 200 illustrates the need for the protection of German assets and supply lines against Soviet night attacks.

Along with the mounting of anti-aircraft defenses on rail cars, NJG 200, as "Eisenbahn Geschwader" was able to operate in required locations along sections of the eastern front. The aircraft carries a somewhat dark camouflage scheme of RLM 74/75/76 with yellow identification markings. The white fuselage Balkenkruez is sprayed over irregular squiggles of 74, which is consistent with the time period of 1943-44. The red Staffel colour appears on the spinner tips.

All of the presented schemes display an effort to darken the overall scheme with the additional spraying of irregular squiggles of RLM 74/75. These also serve to break up the well defined edge between the upper surface colours and the side RLM76 surfaces. The inside surfaces of the vertical tails were treated in a similar fashion.