Italeri 0077 Messerschmitt ME-210

The Messerschmitt Me-210 is a heavy German twin-engine fighter-bomber with a metal low wing structure and a classic tail. In 1937, as a result of operational tests of the Me-110 aircraft, a decision was made to develop its stronger and more universal version of the ME-210. Design work began in 1938, and on September 2, 1939, the first Me-210 V-1 prototype was flown. It differed from its predecessor mainly in the more streamlined shape of the cabin at the front of the fuselage. The vertical tail was replaced from the second prototype (V-2) with a new, single one. The defensive armament was also new. The Me-210 surprised the designers with its longitudinal instability, which manifested itself in the first trials of the first prototype and remained despite various modifications. Serial production started even before the prototype's flight, and the A-0 informational aircraft appeared in training units at the end of 1940. From 1941, regular deliveries of the A-1 (assault) and A-2 (fighter-bomber) variants began. There was a series of catastrophes that forced the introduction of modifications to the already finished aircraft. Extended min. up to 1.1 m hull. Despite this, the planes were directed to the Eastern Front in 1941. Only a large number of accidents in the front lines prompted the issuing of a decision in April 1942 to discontinue production of the aircraft. Until then, about 200 copies and parts for a further 800 were produced. The losses of the Messerschmitt plants amounted to over 30 million marks and resulted in the almost dismissal of prof. W. Messerschmitt from the position of managing director. A little later, the gills on the leading edge of the wings were introduced into the aircraft, which significantly improved the flight characteristics of the aircraft. The existing aircraft were rebuilt and after the resumption of production, 150 more modified Me-210s were made. The failure of the Me-210 forced the label to develop an improved developmental variant. Work on the Me-310 with a pressurized cabin was abandoned and a less complex version of the Me-410 called Hornissen was put into production. The plane was basically identical to the modified Me-210 (with an extended fuselage and gills), however, more powerful DB-603A engines were used, which extended the plane by 0.2 m. Me-210 served on the Eastern Front, carried out fighter-bomber flights over England and fought against Allied bombers in Hungary. A small number of them also took part in the fighting in the Mediterranean basin. They were also licensed in Hungary under the designation Me-210 Ca-1. Technical data: (extended version of Me-210) length: 12.12m, wingspan: 16.34m, height: 4.28m, maximum speed: 564km / h, rate of climb: 8m / s, maximum range: 1820km, maximum ceiling 8900m, armament: fixed - 2 MG131 13mm machine guns in electrically controlled FDSL 131 / 1B mounts, 2 MG17 7.92mm machine guns and 2 MG151 / 20 20mm cannons, suspended - up to 1000kg bombs.