CyberHobby 1/48 Bf-110D Nachtjäger

The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often (erroneously) called Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter (Zerstörer - German for "Destroyer") in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Hermann Göring was a proponent of the Bf 110, and nicknamed it his Eisenseiten ("Ironsides"). Development work on an improved type, the Me 210 that was to replace the Bf 110, begun before the war started, but due to teething troubles, resulted in Bf 110 soldiering on until the end of the war in various roles, alongside its replacements, the Me 210 and the Me 410.

The Bf 110 served with success in the early campaigns, the Polish, Norwegian and Battle of France. The Bf 110's lack of agility in the air was its primary weakness. This flaw was exposed during the Battle of Britain, when some Bf 110 equipped units were withdrawn from the battle after very heavy losses and redeployed as night fighters, a role to which the aircraft was well suited. The Bf 110 enjoyed a successful period following the Battle of Britain as an air superiority fighter and strike aircraft in other theatres. During the Balkans Campaign, North African Campaign and the Eastern Front it rendered valuable ground support to the German Army as a potent fighter-bomber (Jagdbomber-Jabo). Later in the war, it was developed into a formidable night fighter, becoming the major night-fighting aircraft of the Luftwaffe. Most of the German night fighter aces flew the Bf 110 at some point during their combat careers, and the top night fighter ace of all times, Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, flew it exclusively, and claimed 121 victories in 164 combat missions.

CyberHobby has produced a series of 110 C/D aircraft and this adds to their growing catalogue. Like others, it is based on Dragon's superlative 1/32 Bf-110 and they have chosen the night fighter version for this particular kit. Not surprisingly the quality of the moldings is world class and the detailing is everything you'd expect from CyberHobby/Dragon. The kit includes a ton of detailing in the 380 parts included in the kit.

Though I've listed all the details below, a few things really struck me. One is that you don't have to build it with everything out in the open as you would with the Eduard kit. CyberHobby has provided a one-piece canopy in addition to the multi-piece version. The nose can be built closed or with the ability to show off the gun compartment. Same with the engines. Two types of drop tanks, a real wire HF radio antenna for along the side of the fuselage and a small P.E. fret for the antenna stand-offs, seat harnesses, and DF loop antenna. You also get a bag of small metal 'spikes' for the ends of the radar antenna. As you can see on the box art, this is a rather complex arrangement. A superbly detailed interior and much more as listed below.  By the way, the smaller tail wheel and tail section for the earlier planes is not in this kit so you can only do a 110D.

- Detailed FuG 202 aerial bracket mount for Bf110D, both injection plastic and photo-etched options available
- Realistically detailed gun barrels are slide molded with hollow ends
- Engin has intricate detail represented by multiple parts
- Engine cowling cover can be assembled open/closed
- Detailed fuselage with sharp detail
- Fuselage possesses metal-skinned detail
- Three different depths of panel lines exhibit astonishing level of minute detail
- Aileron can be assembled in different position
- Realistic canvas pattern on tailfin w/authentic details
- Two types of wing flap realistically included as option
- Carefully reproduced oval-shaped tailfin specific to Bf110D
- Wing-mounted fuel tank for Bf110D
- Rudder represents the real one
- Larger diameter tailwheel for Bf110D
- Detailed inspection covers with rivets
- Wings represent laminar-flow airfoil shape
- Detailed pitot tube on underside of wing
- Aircraft nose can be assembled in two options
- Propeller blades with curved cross-section and true-to-scale thickness
- Cockpit canopy with realistic detail
- Cockpit canopy antenna finely detailed
- Cockpit canopy can be positioned open/closed
- Detailed rear gunner position and MG15
- Detailed slide-molded engine cowling cover has maximum detail
- Realistically detailed gun barrels are slide molded with hollow ends
- Two drum-fed MG FF cannons under the fuselage
- Four MG 17 weapons for interior of upper nose
- Full cockpit interior details: pilot's seat, instrument panel, radio and MG ammo included
- Intricate MG ammo included: double-drums for MG 15, round drums for MG FF
- Antenna devices located on underside of fuselage: loop antenna, antenna array and antenna mast
- Includes finely detailed mounting ladder
- Landing gear compartment with interior detail: struts delicately rendered
- Landing gear can be assembled in optional positions
- Strengthened landing gear realistically portrayed
- Wheels have realistic tread detail
- Two ETC500 bombs and pylons precisely reproduced under the fuselage
- Pilot's seatbelt upgraded by photo-etched parts
- Instrument panel authentically detailed
- Detailed underwing radiators
- Realistic radiator vents included
- Air filter has fine detail