The German RLM, at Hermann Göring's request, issued a specification for a multipurpose monoplane fighter which would have a crew of three, all metal construction , twin engines and be armed with cannon and have an internal bomb-bay. Messerschmitt produced the Bf 110 Zerstörer (Destroyer) fighter to meet these RLM requirements and the prototype Messerschmitt Bf 110 first flew in May 1936, entering operational service with the Luftwaffe in January 1937. The Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer was introduced initially in to the German Luftwaffe as a heavy fighter but after the start of WWII was soon transferred to a fighter bomber role (Zerstörer-Jabo) as the RAF's Spitfires and Hurricanes constantly improving performance and agility necessitated the Bf 110's (also known as the Me 110) having Bf 109 fighter escorts themselves during the Battle of Britain! Later in WWII the Messerschmitt Bf 110 found a new role as a night fighter using airborne radar as pictured above fitted on to a Messerschmitt BF 110G, and the aircraft remained in this role until the end of WWII. It is interesting to note that the Messerschmitt Bf 110 was the aircraft chosen by Rudolph Hess in May 1941 for his flight to Scotland in an attempt to arrange a peace settlement between Germany and Great Britain. Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4 Specifications: Crew: 2 for daytime use and 3 for radar equipped night fighters Length: 12.3 m (40 ft 6 in) Wingspan: 16.3 m (53 ft 4 in) Height: 3.3 m (10 ft 9 in) Loaded weight: 6,700 kg (14,800 lb) Engines: Twin 809 kW (1,100 hp) Daimler-Benz DB 601B-1 liquid-cooled inverted V-12's Maximum speed: 560 km/h (348 mph) Range: 2,410 km combat, 2,800 km ferry (1,500 mi / 1,750 mi) Service ceiling: 10,500 m (35,000 ft)
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4 Armament: Twin 20 mm MG FF/M cannons Four 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns Single rear facing cockpit mounted 7.92 mm MG 15 for defence against enemy fighters
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