Bf-110G-2
The Bf 110 series is well documented so I'm not going to go into a protracted history here but instead will concentrate on the specific variant and how it may have differed from earlier variants. While history tends to paint the Bf 110 as a failure based on its performance in the Battle of Britain, it really wasn't the aircraft that was a failure but the concept of a heavy fighter that failed and it wasn't just Germany that found this out as the concept of a heavy fighter was popular among a number of countries during the late 30's. The Bf 110 was found to be useful in many roles and was in production and service for most of the war.
The design of the "G" series of the Bf 110 had begun in the summer of 1941 with the G-0 differing from the Bf 110F primarily in having DB-605B-1 engines which were of similar dimension but afforded 1,475 h.p. for take off and emergency. The proposed initial production model the G-1 was rejected in favor of the G-2 which could be used either as a Zerstorer or a heavy fighter-bomber and began leaving assembly lines in May 1942. The G-2 adopted the revised tail surfaces introduced on the F-4 variant, a modified strengthened undercarriage and steel engine bearers. Rear defense was improved by the installation of of an MG 81Z twin 7.9mm machine gun. The G-2 could be fitted with a variety of Rustsatz or field conversion sets. These included a 37mm under fuselage cannon, nitrous oxide injection for the engines and upgrading the nose armament from four machine guns to two 30mm cannon and various combinations of those.
The Kit
Back around 2007 Eduard began releasing a series of Bf 110s in 1/48 scale. It was apparent from the beginning that they intended to release a number of variants due to the number of unused parts on the sprues. As time passed nearly every variant from the 100C on has been released. The kits were well received and very well molded and detailed as one can see by looking at the number of parts supplied. Early builders however found that while the kits in general fit together well there were some areas that didn't and mostly due to the design which allowed the builder to leave various things like the nose section that covers the machine guns there open. All well and good for those wanting them open but closing them lead to poor fit and a lot of complaining on many of the forums. By the time the G variants some of the fit issues had supposedly been addressed but there is some debate about that and the kits will still challenge your skills a bit to build but you will end up with a very accurate and well detailed kit.The clear parts are nice and clear and thin with raised frame lines.
The decals are printed by Cartograph, one of the best in the business and these look to be up to their usual standards. The sheet has markings for five aircraft, 5./ZG 1, Austria, winter, 1943 - 44, 5./ ZG1, Italy, summer, 1943, 10./ZG 76, Czechoslovakia, spring, 1944 and 5./NJG 200, Russia, 1943. They do supply Swastikas both complete and in segmented form, it appears the complete one are set up to be cut off for regions where they are not permitted.
The instructions are in the form of a large 16 page booklet on glossy paper and stapled at the spine. It is printed in color although most is reserved for the profiles of the aircraft supplied on the decal sheet. One page contains all the usual required these days, icon chart, safety warnings, parts map that with all the parts not used is most important, and a paint chart calling out Gunze numbers. Nine pages are used for assembly drawings which seem quite complete but the steps themselves are not numbered. Four and a third pages are the color profiles with paint and marking information and one page has all the stencil markings on it. All in all a most impressed set of instructions.
After Market Goodies
There really is not much need for after market in one of these ProfiPack kits but none the less there are plenty available. A check at your favorite online store will no doubt reveal more. I did opt for a set of resin wheels from Aires (4157) that are weighted (but not so much as to look flat) shown below. The kit wheels come from their earlier series kits and are too narrow for the G variants. They are quite nicely molded with a bit deeper detail than the kit supplied wheels and come with masks.
Conclusions
This is an extremely well detailed and molded kit that should produce a beautiful end result. Due to the complexity and known fit issues I would recommend it for experienced modelers only.
Links to kit build or reviews
A build can be found here and an in box review here.
References
Warplanes of the Third Reich by William Green
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