Messerschmitt Bf-110 German Fighter Bomber 1/72 Scale Diecast Metal Model by DeAgostini

1:72 Scale  Diecast Metal  – Messerschmitt Bf-110 German Fighter Bomber – Length: 6.75"  Wingspan: 9”

This Bf-110 model is a twin seat model and does not include pilot/crew figures. The cockpit can not open. The landing gear is nicely detailed and it is optional. The covers for the wheel wells are included to give the model the appearance of inflight. A stand where the model can be attached for display is included. The display stand has the model's info such as country, flag and scale.

The maker of the model, DeAgostini, really did a good job with the model, the diecast metal construction feels quite heavy. The metal seems to be more rigid and thicker than comparable 1/72 scale models. The panel lines and details are very clear and crisp.What really caught my attention, however, is the way the markings and coloring are done. 

These models come in what could be described as a disposable blister pack (sandwiched between two transparent plastic shells and then glued/attached to a piece of cardboard. There is really nothing spectacular about the packaging, but at the end, the packaging is supposed to be disposable and with the sole function protecting the model, which it does very well.

There is some minor assembly needed for these models which generally consists of propellers (if that type), antennas, landing gears and wheel well covers. Although minor assembly, one needs to be quite careful and patient since these are usually very small parts and therefore very delicate that can easily break or bent out of shape. All weapons and fuel tanks are already attached to the model. One just needs to open the pack and display it (or play with it).

The packaging labels these model as "Collectible Product" and "Not suitable for children under 14 years". 

The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often (erroneously) called Me 110,^[2] was a twin-engine heavy fighter(Zerstörer—German for "Destroyer") and fighter-bomber (Jagdbomber or Jabo) developed in Nazi Germany in the 1930s and used by the Luftwaffe and others during World War II. Hermann Göringwas a proponent of the Bf 110. It was armed with two MG FF 20 mm cannons, four 7.92 mm (.312 in)MG 17 machine guns, and one 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 15 machine gun or twin-barrel MG 81Z for defence. Development work on an improved type to replace the Bf 110, the Messerschmitt Me 210began before the war started, but its teething troubles from its aerodynamics resulted in the Bf 110 soldiering on until the end of the war in various roles, alongside its replacements, the Me 210 and the significantly improved Me 410 Hornisse.

The Bf 110 served with considerable initial success in the early campaigns, the Polish, Norwegian andBattle of France. The primary weakness of the Bf 110 was its lack of agility in the air, although this could be mitigated with the correct tactics. This flaw was however exposed and mercilessly exploited when flying as close escort to German bombers during the Battle of Britain. When British bombers began targeting German territory with nightly raids, some Bf 110-equipped units were withdrawn and redeployed as night fighters, a role to which the aircraft was well suited. After the Battle of Britain the Bf 110 enjoyed a successful period as an air superiority fighter and strike aircraft in other theatres.

During the Balkans Campaign, North African Campaign and on the Eastern Front, it rendered valuable ground support to the German Army as a potent fighter-bomber. Later in the war, it was developed into a formidable night fighter, becoming the major night-fighting aircraft of the Luftwaffe. Most of the German night fighter aces flew the Bf 110 at some point during their combat careers, and the top night fighter ace of all time, Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, flew it exclusively and claimed 121 victories in 164 combat missions.^[3]