1/48 Messerschmitt Me-410B-2/U4 Heavy Fighter

The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse was a twin-engined heavy fighter-bomber aircraft developed by the Luftwaffe as an improved variant of the unsuccessful Me 210. It entered service in 1943 and several versions were produced over time, the most famous and distinctive of which was the Me 410B-2/U4. This modification carried a 50mm BK 5 gun in the fuselage, originally developed as a tank weapon, adapted for use against the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator heavy bombers. This enabled the Me 410 to attack from a greater distance and avoid the dense defences of bomber formations.

The aircraft maintained a good speed of over 600 km/h (600 mph) and was also capable of carrying standard armament of machine guns and bombs. Yet its combat effectiveness was limited by the increasing numerical superiority of Allied fighters, which increasingly accompanied bomber formations deep over Third Reich territory. The deployment of the Me 410B-2/U4 thus produced a few successes against bombers, but it was never able to make a major impact on the course of the air war over Europe.

The 1/48th scale Meng kit faithfully depicts this heavy fighter version of the Horniss. It features a detailed cockpit, fine surface engraving and the precise shapes characteristic of the Me 410B-2/U4, including the unique BK 5 gun. This makes it an attractive model for anyone looking to add an interesting and unique variant of the German WWII twin-engine fighters to their collection.

The package does not include paint or glue needed for assembly.