Airfix 1/72 Me-410A-1

The Me-410 was a follow-on aircraft to the Me-210, a plane that was supposed to replace the Me-110. The 210 had a multitude of problems in terms of the design of the airframe and was not a pleasant or even safe aircraft to fly. The 410 was developed from the 210 and thanks to a different wing and lengthened fuselage, was what the 210 should have been.

The Me-210 was powered by DB601 engines while the 410 had DB605s, which gave it decent speed and fairly good carrying capabilities. When used as a bomber interceptor against unescorted US bombers, it was highly effective, carrying a variety of weapons that wreaked havoc with the bomber stream. However, once the bombers began to be escorted all the way to the target by single engine fighters, the 410 was at a distinct disadvantage and was soon relegated to other duties, such as ground attack.

The Me-201/410 is a fairly popular model in both of the major scales. In 1/72 it has been kitted by Revell, Matchbox, Italeri, and Fine Molds (probably missing some). This is the most recent and while the majority of earlier releases have been the Me-410B, this one is the earlier A model.

If you have built any new tool Airfix kit in the last several years, you pretty well know what to expect. This kit has a lot of detail and offers a number of options. One is the fast bomber one which includes four racks and four bombs for the inner wings. There is also an option for the flame damper exhaust. Another is raised or lower slats, flaps, and elevators. The rest of the control surfaces are separate as well. This includes the radiator exhaust doors. Side mounted guns are designes so they can also swivel. Airfix also offers a raised gear option, though you'll have to get the stand separately. Typical of most Me-210/410 kits, the main canopy is in three sections with the side pieces separate to get the proper undercut.

Instructions are very well done and use Humbrol paint numbers so if not using these paints, have your conversion charts ready. There are two markings options, both in RLM 74/75/76 with various levels of fuselage mottling. The decals are for KG 2 from 1943 and are very nicely printed. No swastikas so you'll have to resort to the spares box for those. A data placement guide is provided as well as a full color sheet for the camouflage.

By all accounts this is an excellent kit of this aircraft. I wouldn't go tossing my Fine Molds kit or even the Italeri offering, but if you have neither of those, this looks like the one to get. I'd also get a canopy mask set as it will make life easier.

December 2025

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