Messerschmitt Me210/Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet)

The Me210 and Me410 were originally planned as further developments of the twin-engined Messerschmitt Bf110 as the Luftwaffe sought a high-speed heavy fighter and gun platform. First flown in September 1939, the early version, Me210, proved extremely troublesome, suffering from in-flight instability and landing-gear problems. There were frequent accidents and production was terminated in April 1942 after 352 aircraft had been complete. A total of some 370 further examples were left incomplete on the production line. First flown in 1942, the sleek Daimler-Benz-powered Me410, however, was much more successful and was manufactured in large numbers as a two-seat tactical aircraft fighter for ground-attacks and reconnaissance operations. More than 100 different variants and sub-variants had been produced by the end of 1944, using virtually every weapon available to the Luftwaffe. This book will enable readers to distinguish between the multitudes of sub-types and identify the various modifications, weapons systems, and conversion packs that were used.