Second of the important fighters designed by Willy Messerschmitt, the Bf 110 originated from a Reichsluftfahrtministerium requirement of 1934 for a long-range escort fighter or heavily armed Zerstorer (destroyer). Of cantilever low-wing monoplane configuration, this two-seat fighter had an oval-section fuselage, long glazed canopy, high-mounted tailplane with endplate fins and rudders, retractable landing gear, and power plant comprising two Daimler-Benz DB 600 in-line engines. When the prototype flew for the first time on 12 May 1936, it was able to demonstrate a most satisfactory turn of speed. However further testing showed that the Bf 110 might face problems in combat, for despite its high speed, its manoeuvrability left much to be desired.

Pre-production Bf 110A-0 were powered by two 454.5kW Junkers Jumo 210B engines, bringing a deterioration in performance. Early production Bf 110B had similar engines of increased power. Only a small number of this version were built before 820kW DB 601A engines became available and these powered a much-improved Bf 110C. Unfortunately for the Luftwaffe, it had not been possible to evaluate the Bf 110 in the Spanish Civil War, with the result that when Bf 110C escorted the bomber units that devastated Poland at the beginning of World War II, it was believed that they had acquired a valuable new weapon. Perhaps this belief was strengthened when, just before Christmas 1939, Bf 109 and 110 destroyed 12 of a force of 22 Wellingtons which were making a reconnaissance of Heligoland Bight.

Bf 110C and longer-range Bf 110D were, therefore, launched confidently against Britain in the summer of 1940. But even before the Battle of Britain had reached a peak, it was clear that the Bf 110 was no match for the RAF's highly manoeuvrable single-seat fighters. Indeed it was so vulnerable that this 'escort' fighter was unable to operate in British airspace by daylight unless it was itself escorted.

Despite its failure in this role, the Bf 110 was to prove a most valuable and successful night fighter until more advanced aircraft entered the scene in the latter stages of the war. Bf 110E with DB 601N engines and Bf 110F with DB 601E engines formed the nucleus of such operations. Considerable success was gained by these aircraft in conjunction with Wiirzburg radar, the pilots being directed by ground controllers into an interception position.

The three-seat night-fighter Bf 110F was followed into production by a series of Bf 110G with DB 605B engines, the early versions serving as fighter bombers. However the four-seat Bf 110G-4a, -4b, -4c, and -4d variants were provided with differing airborne radar installations for operation as night fighters. Final production version was the Bf 110H, generally similar to the Bf 110G but equipped with heavier armament. It is worth recording a significant factor in favour of the Bf 110, so often dismissed as a complete failure. During early 1944 almost 60% of the entire German night-fighter force was composed of variants of the Bf 110. A total of about 6,000 of these aircraft was built before production ended.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1650 x 1170)