Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1801 Bf-110G-2/R3, 2N+EM, II/ZG 76 (2nd Group, 76 Zerstorergeschwader - Heavy Fighter wing) Defense of the Reich

Because of the terrible performance of the Me-210 that was supposed to replace the Bf- 110, the Bf-110 was kept in production and the new “G” version was developed. This plane is a Bf-110G2/R3, R3 “Rustsatze” is a field modification. This mod replaces the usual armament of four 7.9mm machine guns with two Rheinmetall Mk.108 30mm cannons. This along with the “G” standard replacement of the 20mm cannon with two MG 151/20 20mm cannons made this a plane to be reckoned with.

In October 1943 ZG 76, II Gruppe was formed as part of the Defense of the Reich. Germany’s war industries were now the target of large formations of Allied bombers. During the raids the bombers were without fighter cover and easy prey for the 240mm rocket armed Zerstorers (Destroyers). March 16, 1944 ZG 76 Bf-110G-2s knocked down 18 B-17s but during their third pass Allied P-51s arrived and decimated the group downing 60%. By June 1944 the Bf-110Gs were traded for Bf-109s and the Gruppe became II/JG 76.

Aircraft: Messerschmitt Bf 110G-2/R3 Entered Service: December 1942 Dimensions: Length - 39’ 7" (12.06 m) Wing Span - 53’ 4" (16.25 m) Wing Area - 413.3 sq ft (38.4 sq m) Wing Loading - 27.2lb/sq ft / 45.5lb/sq ft / 53.5lb/sq ft Wing Aspect Ratio - 6.8 Weight: Empty - 11,220lb (5089.3 kg) Loaded - 18,800lb (8527.54 kg) Max - 22,100lb (10024.39 kg)

Powerplants: 2 X Daimler-Benz DB-605B-1 in-line 1,475 hp at sea level Int Fuel Capacity - 2,016 lbs (914 kg) Ext Fuel Capacity - 950 lbs (430 kg, 2 X under wing drop tanks)

Performance: Maximum Speeds - 342 mph (550 kph) at 22,900 ft (6,980 m) Ceiling - 26,065 ft (7,950 m)

Armament: Primary Guns - 2 x MG151/20 20mm cannon in nose with 300 rounds (port) and 350 rounds (starboard) Secondary Guns - 2 x MK108 30mm cannon in nose with 135 rounds Defensive Guns - 2 x MG81Z 7.92mm flex machine guns in dorsal position with 400 rounds per gun Ordnance: 2 X 551 lb (250 kg) bombs or 2 x 1103 lb (500 kg) bombs under fuselage And 4 x 121 lb (55 kg) bombs or 2 x 551 lb (250 kg) bombs or 4 x 245 lb (111 kg) WGr.21 rockets under wings. Maximum payload - 4,410 lbs (2,000 kg)

Die-cast metal. Superb detailing in 1/72 scale. Pre-painted with pad applied markings. Fully assembled. Supplied weapons are not permanently attached. Display stand included. Option to display model with wheels up or down. Minimum use of plastic. Very collectable.

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES, NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT