Kit: No. 5933
Scale: 1/ 48
Manufacturer: ProModeler by Revell-Monogram, 8601 Waukegan Rd., Morton Grove, IL 60053-2295, phone 847-966-3500
Price: $23.50
Comments: Injection molded, 120 parts, decals.
The Bf 110 was a flop in its intended role of long-range escort fighter. It was blown out of the sky when confronted by single-engine fighters. But the Luftwaffe had faith in the design and redirected the 110 into the role of night fighter, where it made its claim to fame. Most of the successful German night-fighter pilots scored their victories in the 110.
ProModeler's all-new Bf 110G-4 satisfies modelers' demands for an up-to-date kit of this historic World War II fighter. Molded in gray and clear styrene, the kit features recessed panel lines and some flash. A molding flaw, a deep groove on the left fuselage half, can be filled and sanded smooth easily.
Cockpit detail is exceptional, including radar consoles and the famous upward-firing Schrage Musik - jazz music - cannons. The canopy can be posed opened or closed, and you may want to add the two crewmen. The main gear tires are weighted and even have the manufacturer's logos. One style of radar array is provided.
The detailed 24-page instruction booklet provides a score of photos of the Royal Air Force Museum's Bf 110G-4 and assembly drawings. Markings for two aircraft are included on the decal sheet, which includes swastikas.
Assembly starts with the detailed cockpit - aftermarket producers will have a tough time improving it. Take care installing the Schrage Musik cannons; dry-fit the rear canopy section to determine the angle of the cannons before the glue dries.
The instructions call for attaching the assembled engine nacelle to the lower wing and then adding the top wing. This goes against what most modelers would do (glue the top and bottom wing halves and add the nacelle), but I suggest you follow the instructions; the wheel-well bracing makes any other assembly sequence nearly impossible.
Assembly of the main components goes quickly and the fit is good. I used a little filler at the bottom rear seam of both engine nacelles where they meet the wing. I had to reduce the height of the radiator core (part No. 32) to achieve a good fit to the left radiator housing (18). Also, the lower left wing half was slightly wider near the wing tip than the top half.
Once you're done with the main components be prepared for lots of small parts - this aircraft is covered with antennas! The six small antenna mounts on the lower fuselage are easily broken off (as I painfully found out several times). They are located on the fuselage seam, so cleanup is
difficult. Fashion the cross members from wire or stretched sprue.
The drop tanks have no positive location points for their support struts so I drilled four small holes in each tank. The contact points for the radar antenna struts needed refinement to get a better fit. Even then the four antennas were a challenge to attach at the proper angles.
I chose the unusual scheme of the NJG 5 aircraft shown on the instructions, but I couldn't find confirmation of the scheme in my references. I painted my model with Testor Model Master and AeroMaster Luftwaffe colors.
The decals include a comprehensive set of stencils and maintenance markings. I experienced a little silvering, but I may not have used enough setting solution.
The completed model captures the look of the nocturnal Messerschmitt. It took 29 hours to build, paint, and finish. If you have intermediate modeling skills, you should be able to finish one in about that time. My primary reference was Aircraft Monograph 3 - Messerschmitt Bf 110 by Janusz Ledwoch.
If you've been waiting for a late-model Bf 110, wait no longer.
Jim Zeske