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Messerschmitt
Me 410B-2/U4

by Andrea Mariottini

 

Messerschmitt Me 410B-2/U4

 


 Fine Molds' 1/72 scale Me 410A is available online from Squadron.com

 

Introduction

 

I do not think that it is necessary to introduce the Messerschmitt Me 410. I would like just to remind that readers that this version was equipped with a telescopic gunsight protruding from the windscreen and a 50 mm BK5 cannon which was intended to break up bomber boxes.

 

 

Construction

 

Fine Molds' 1/72 scale kit represents the A-1 version.

 

 

It is very good, well detailed and the surfaces are provided with engraved panel lines. There are only 2 points that require some attention:

  • a lot of sanding is necessary to avoid the steps between the engines and the wing

  • the wing/fuselage connection has some gaps that need to be filled

I decided to use thin plastic strip instead of filler in order to save the engraved panel lines. Moreover the refuelling points and the access panels are represented raised. Since this is an aircraft and not a tank, I made them flush.

I also removed the representation of the speed brakes on the wing because they were not present on the B-2/U4 version.

Any kit can be improved by using aftermarket accessories. For this project I used:

  • CMK conversion and detail set (see the CMK instruction sheet photo) to transform the A-1 version into the B-2/U4 version

  • Eduard photo-etched sheet

  • Falcon vacuformed canopy

  • Moskit exhausts (unfortunatly partially hidden by the exhausts shrouds)

  • Aeromaster decal sheet

As I've mentioned before, the kit is very good so I focused my attention on the cockpit details that are very evident through the clear Falcon canopy.

 

 

The main components of the cockpit are well detailed but the Eduard photo-etched sheet, together with tens of hand made parts, helps a lot to improve the level of detail. Nevertheless I did work on the wing (cut and repositioned ailerons, dropped flaps, open radiators flaps) and on the tail too (cut and repositioned elevators, CMK rudder) without forgetting the landing gear.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Since the CMK conversion set has been designed for the Italeri kit, I could use only some parts of it: the cannon made in turned aluminium, the rudder and the bulged part of the cannon fairing.

 


 

My model represents the aircraft coded 3U+VP of the 6/ZG 26 during 1944. One B&W photo and one color profile are shown in the "Messerschmitt Me 210/410 in action" by Squadron/Signal publications. It is not evident if the unit code "3U" was painted on the aircraft because the photo is too small but I decided to apply it.

 

 

Painting and Decals

 

The model is handpainted in acrylic Aeromaster's RLM 76 on the entire lower surfaces and fuselage sides while a splinter pattern of Gloy's RLM 74/75 has been sprayed over all upper surfaces by using the Tamiya spray-work air brush system set.

The fuselage sides have been heavily mottled in RLM 74/75; the previous unit code (factory code? unit code?) has been overpainted in RLM02. The white spirals on the spinners have been hand painted. The weathering has been achieved with pastels.

 

 

The decals are mainly from the Aeromaster decal sheet with the only exception of the "P" letter (CMK decal sheet), "V" letter (cut in a red decal sheet) and the number "108" (spare decal sheets).
Since the "108" number is smaller by 1/3 than the original one, I put it only on the left side of the fin.
After weatering and decalling, the entire model has been sealed with a mix of Testor's Glosscote (60%) and Flat Coat  (40%).

 

 

References and Acknowledgements

 

  • Luftwaffe in action; aircraft no. 2 Squadron/Signal publications

  • Messerschmitt Me 210/410 in action Squadron/Signal publications

  • Flugzeug bewaffnung by Hanfried Schliephake Motorbuch Verlag

  • Flugzeug fahrwerke by Gunter Sengfelder Motorbuch Verlag

  • Replic no. 63 November 1996

  • Replic no. 79 March 1998

  • Air International October and November 1981

  • Aerei Modellismo March 1981

I have taken the photos of the finished model with a digital camera Sony Mavica provided with a zoom.

 



I would like to thank my friends Francesco, Giuseppe and Paolo of the "Al Soldatino" model shop in Milano (www.alsoldatino.it) that provide me with all the "stuff" necessary for our hobby: kits, accessories, documentation, suggestions and so on.

In particular, Paolo helped me take photos of the model during construction.

 

 

Additional Images

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2002 by Andrea Mariottini
Page Created 05 December, 2002
Last Updated 04 June, 2007

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