HISTORY

The BF110C-6 was an experimental variant of the BF110 heavy fighter, armed with a MK 101 30mm auto-cannon in an under fuselage mounting. The 30mm cannon had a fire rate of approx. 240rpm and could be reloaded from the crew compartment. The single 30mm cannon replaced the two 20mm cannon mounted in the lower nose. Only 12 BF110 were modified with this gun and were initially assigned to Erprobungsgruppe 210, which operated them from July 1940. They were reportedly effective in anti-shipping attacks but were replaced with the BF110D models and used only if the regular aircraft were not available. Erpr.210 would be changed to SKG.210 and would continue to operate the BF110C-6 as long as it was available, seeing action in Russia after the Battle of Britain. Three aircraft were assigned to 8/ZG 26 in North Africa and are sometimes erroneously referred to as modified BF110Es. At least one also saw action as a night fighter with NJG1.

When I was 9 I built a 1/72 scale BF110 and it left a lasting impression on me. Like many other models from my youth, I am drawn to them many years later. When I saw this kit available as a review sample, I jumped at the chance to build another.

THE KIT

Eduard has released a limited edition variant of their BF110C series with this new C-6, including photo etch details and Brassin parts for added detail.

The large, top opening box comes with attractive artwork of a BF110C-6, "2N RH" operating with Erpr. 210 during the Battle of Britain.

The contents are all carefully wrapped, with the sprues in separate plastic pouches and etch parts protected by zip pouch and a card insert. Masks for the windows are included as well.

The plastic sprues come in both dark grey and a light olive coloured plastic. Breakdown is as follows

Sprue A, upper and lower wing surfaces.

Sprue B, short fuselage halves, tail and fuselage detail.

Sprue C, flight control surfaces, propellers, cockpit floor and details, wheels.

Sprues E and F, clear canopy parts for either open or closed canopy.

Sprue G, small detail parts like exhausts, armament and ammunition, and other small interior pieces.

Sprue H, engine nacelles and vertical tail parts.

Sprue J, landing gear and interior parts, option one piece or multi piece tail wheel.

Sprue Q, long fuselage halves.

PE, colourized photo etch parts for cockpit controls, radios, mesh screens on intakes and many small details. The main instruments come with both early and later interior colours.

Pre-cut masks are provided for all window glazing and the main landing gear wheels.

RP, resin parts, identified by the Brassin logo. Mk-101 cannon, frame, ammunition drum, cover and a cutout for the lower fuselage. The Mk 101 in my kit is somewhat droopy looking. I noted that on Eduard's site, their kit photos show a similar issue with the Mk 101. The resin frame is also slightly warped. I will try the hot water method and see if I can get them straight.

Two decals sheets are provided, one with the two marking options and one for all the stencilling.

Marking scheme 1 is 2N RH, Erpr 210, pilot E. Beudel, Summer 1940 in RLM 70/71 upper and RLM 65 lower surfaces. The "R" is blue with white outline, not in line with Luftwaffe regulations, but following tradition of elite units selecting their own special indicator. The spinners are also marked blue with white outline. This aircraft has the short fuselage. It is listed as damaged in combat July 29, 1940, unknown to what extent.

Marking scheme 2 is G9 EH of NJG1, Netherlands, February 1942, unknown pilot. The aircraft is in overall black paint with three victory marks on the tail.

Unit insignia for both aircraft is very clear and all decals appear to be in good register and are readable.

On a side note, Eduard has also offered this kit as a limited edition "Bunny club" boxing (limited limited edition?) which includes a third marking option, 3U XS, with 8./ZG 26, in RLM79 with green overspray.

In looking over the parts, I saw no flash or damaged parts. Detailing is everything I expect. For those who don't want to deal with the etch parts, decals are included and there is some raised detail on the plastic (which must be removed to place the photo etch) as well as a separate instrument panel. The clear parts are very thin and transparent without distortion, allowing the interior to be clearly seen.

The instruction booklet is printed on gloss paper with colourized detailing to help the modeller. The clear line drawings are easy to read. Full colour multi-view profiles of the two aircraft are included, as well as a separate multi-view stenciling guide. The intro to the BF110 on the front page is a generic guide to all variants rather than providing specific information to this particular aircraft.

CONCLUSION

I think this is another excellent offering from Eduard. I am not an expert on measurements and all details, but from a modellers point of view this kit offers most everything I could want. Other than the warped 30mm cannon and frame there were no blemishes in the parts. Instructions are good and clear, and easy to follow. Full colour painting guides are included. Only pilot figures are missing (I remember them being standard in kits when I was little. Now they seem to be the exception.) This kit provides everything Eduard is known for.

I will be following this up with a build review so I can see (and show) how all of this goes together.

On a side note, Erich Beudel would be shot down in a different BF110C-6 on August 15, 1940, S9 TH. Examination of the wreckage showed the gun loaded by 10 round box magazines. S9 SH was also a C-6 attached to Erpr. 210. In addition to 3U XS, the other two aircraft from 8./Jg 26 had the codes "YS" and "ZS". I provide this for those modellers who may wish to choose an alternate marking scheme.

This review sample was provided by Eduard through Aeroscale. The list retail price appears to be $60.00 US, but prices online vary, so shop carefully.

REFERENCES

I used www.asisbiz.com for profile and marking information.