[ac4313]

Picked this up yesterday. The mottled finish is much better on the production example than the prepro, the colors look MUCH better IMO and the mottle effect is softer and more realistic looking. The group or squadron insignia (sorry I'm not very educated regarding german insignia) that is on the left-side nose of the prepro is not on the the production models, I asked the US distributor about it and they said that the entire first production run is without it. They had no idea if future production will include the insignia. Weird, but OK I suppose. Other than that the finish is of the superior quality we have come to expect from HM. The fiddly bits are really nice, aux tanks, tail wheel, and rocket tubes look and fit great. The radar array is a little chunky, but less so that I expected from the prepro photos. My example has a noticeable gap between the canopy and fuselage on one side, something I haven't seen from HM until now.The clear canopy part itself is perfectly clear and flawlessly painted. The horizontal stab is mildly crooked, also the first time I've seen that from HM. Panel line weathering is present, but very subtle and looks great IMO. I should qualify that by saying that I am a fan of the panel lines however. As a whole I think this is another great release from HM, I recommend it highly. I will post a pic or two later tonight. Thanks.

[Cruver Collecter]

Great to hear that it is finally out. Have pre order on one, so probably will see it some time next week.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by ac4313

Picked this up yesterday. The mottled finish is much better on the production example than the prepro, the colors look MUCH better IMO and the mottle effect is softer and more realistic looking. The group or squadron insignia (sorry I'm not very educated regarding german insignia) that is on the left-side nose of the prepro is not on the the production models, I asked the US distributor about it and they said that the entire first production run is without it. They had no idea if future production will include the insignia. Weird, but OK I suppose. Other than that the finish is of the superior quality we have come to expect from HM. The fiddly bits are really nice, aux tanks, tail wheel, and rocket tubes look and fit great. The radar array is a little chunky, but less so that I expected from the prepro photos. My example has a noticeable gap between the canopy and fuselage on one side, something I haven't seen from HM until now.The clear canopy part itself is perfectly clear and flawlessly painted. The horizontal stab is mildly crooked, also the first time I've seen that from HM. Panel line weathering is present, but very subtle and looks great IMO. I should qualify that by saying that I am a fan of the panel lines however. As a whole I think this is another great release from HM, I recommend it highly. I will post a pic or two later tonight. Thanks.

I have yet to find a picture to back it up, but the illustration of this aircraft in Osprey's German Night Fighter issue does not appear to have the squadron insignia either.

[ac4313]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

I have yet to find a picture to back it up, but the illustration of this aircraft in Osprey's German Night Fighter issue does not appear to have the squadron insignia either.

That's very interesting Cruver, maybe HM is that on-the-ball and just quietly omitted the insignia. Thanks for the info.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by ac4313

That's very interesting Cruver, maybe HM is that on-the-ball and just quietly omitted the insignia. Thanks for the info.

I just did a quick check on the Wings Palette site, and their illustration for this aircraft minus the squadron insignia too. I would like to see an actual photo, but think you are right about HM being correct on how they portrayed this model. Look forward to seeing some photos.

[Andrew]

How about some Photos chaps???

[ac4313]

Originally Posted by Andrew

How about some Photos chaps???

I am still at work, probably won't get home for another 3-4 hours. I will post pics as soon as I get home and see how the wife is doing. She is pregnant with our first, about 5 weeks from due. She usually needs some TLC before I can play with my toys.

[hunhunter]

Hope things go well with the wife, and the delivery..... Let us know what your going to name the baby based on whether it's a boy or a girl ! When your in the delivery room and the baby is born, it will
be a moment in time that you will cherish forever ! PICS of the new addition are appreciated as well .

Make sure that when you unload the camera and have family members over to see pics of the newborn, that you remove your airplanes pics. Nothing like the inlaws coming over and excited to see the pics, and the 1st one that shows up is that of a BF110 !

Best Regards,

Mike

[leeG]

I looked through The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in Color Profile 1939-1945. It says Martin Drewes had two Bf 110Gs at his disposal. One for night fighting and another for day fighting. The color profile on page 134 shows Drewes' day fighter 110G-4, so it is no help on the night fighter marking question. The day fighter is similar to the HM model with very light camouflage, no unit crest and the same 22 victory bars in addition to the number 25 over a knights cross on the fin. No radar is installed. Drewes had the real aircraft polished and heavy armor plate removed for better speed. The photo on the same page only shows from the tail (and kill markings) up to the fuselage as far as the wing trailing edge.

[ac4313]

Some pics: