As many of you are aware, the Bf-110 was developed as a heavy fighter and bomber escort aircraft. It was hoped that the additional engine and longer range of the aircraft would be enough to allow it to accompany bombers to the target and back, taking care of defending enemy fighters along the way.  Well, it just didn't work out quite as planned. Though it was a formidable weapon against some aircraft, for the most part, it was out-classed against the single engine fighters of a modern air force.

When things like this happen to a design, the standard thing to do is to either move the type to a theater of operations where the defense isn't as good or to find it another role. The Germans did both, moving the 110 units to North Africa or the Agean and using the type as long range patrol, ground attack, or night fighter. It was rather successful in all three of these roles, but I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.

In this book, the authors go into great detail on the early versions of the 110. They cover the minute differences between subtypes with a series of superbly done illustrations as well as a huge number of period photographs and excerpts from the maintenance manuals. Each variant and sub-variant is fully covered so that enthusiast, historians and modelers alike will be able to use this as the definitive book on these early 110s.

No part of the airframe goes un-covered. There are sections on the crew area, the armament, and th general airframe with each difference clearly pointed out. The book is in a logical progression starting with the generally unarmed Bf-110B and then going into the combat versions; the 110 C, D, and E.

Though other books have been written on this aircraft, this one covers the subject in a depth that has not been seen before. In short, this is the best book on the subject yet published and I doubt if it will be eclipsed any time soon, and a book that I can highly recommend to you.

August 2008

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