KITS 11/2020

Cammo schemes are identical for the kit variants in 1/48 and 1/72 scale

Bf 110D, WNr. 3181, 4./ZG 2, Freiburg, Germany, July 1940

This is so far only known example of a Bf 110D belonging to II./ZG 2 equipped with additional fuel tank under fuselage, so called „Dackelbauch“.

II./ZG 2 was renamed in July 1940 from I./ZG 52 and kept its original emblem - white dragon in black shield. II./ZG 2 also kept its original fuselage codes

of I./ZG 52. Camouflage consist of RLM 71, 02 and 65. Unit lost its Gruppenkommandeur Major Harry Carl on August 16th after combat with RAF fighters

over the Channel. He got killed together with his gunner Uffz. W. Maier in a crash landing near Beauzeville, France. The 4. Staffel commander was

Hptm. Hans Peter Külbel, former policeman and pre-war commander of military flying school. On August 11th, 1940 he was appointed temporary commander of I./ZG 2. However on next day he was shot down and killed together with his gunner Uffz. F. Budig by RAF fighters off Portsmouth. His body

was washed ashore on September 18th near Boulogne. Due to heavy losses most parts of II./ZG 2 were disbanded in September 1940 including 4./ZG 2.

Bf 110D-0, WNr. 3716, 2./ZG 26, Yvrench/St. Omer, France, August 1940

This Bf 110 was damaged on August 18th, 1940 by Hurricanes of No. 56 Squadron over Thames. Enroute to homebase the crew tried to land on

another airfield and overturned their machine. Both crewmen were unhurt, but their Bf 110 was damaged beyond repair. The emblem of I./ZG 26

called „Ringelpitz“ features red German crocodile hunting a black British flying fish. Small rear fuselage band was marking of this unit in later stage

of Battle of Britain. Camouflage consist of RLM 71, 02 and 65. At beginning of the war I./ZG 26 was equipped with Bf 109 C and D, under command of

Austrian Hptm. Karl Kaschka. After conversion to Bf 110 this unit was led by Hptm. Wilhelm Makrocki, who obtained Knight Cross in October 1940. From

May 1940 Staffelkapitän of 2./ZG 26 was Hptm. Herbert Kaminski. He and his gunner Uffz. H. Strauch was shot down and wounded on August 18th as

well. They ditched the Channel off Dunkirk and were rescued four days later. Kaminski later commanded various Bf 110 and 109 units, namely I./ZG 26

in Russia, I./JG 53 in Holland and II./ZG 76 in Defence of the Reich. Knight Cross holder Kaminski flew 300 sorties and scored 7 victories.

Bf 110D, 4./ZG 26, Crecy-en-Ponthieu, France, September 1940

This Bf 110D was equipped with DB 601N engines. Wooden shoe was marking of II./ZG 26 from 1940 to 1944. Lady bird was emblem of 4./ZG 26,

but was also by III./ZG 26. Camouflage consist of RLM 71, 02 and 65. White paint on the nose identifies the aircraft as ship assigned from September

1940 to fighter bomber missions or their escort. At beginning of the war II./ZG 26 was equipped with Bf 109D, under command of Great War fighter

veteran Major Friedrich Vollbracht. His unit converted to Bf 110 during October 1939 and he handed over command in April 1940 to Hptm. Ralph von

Rettberg (8 victories, Knight Cross) who held his position till April 1942. Staffelkapitän of 4./ZG 26 Hptm. Hubert Lüttke and his gunner Uffz. H. Brillo

were shot down on August 18th, 1940 by Spitfire ace F/O Colin Falkland Gray of No. 54 Squadron. His successor Oblt. Arthur Niebuhr and his gunner

Uffz. K. Theissen were killed on September 27th by RAF fighters near Arne. Staffel was finally taken over by Hptm. Reinhold Hubel who served with

II./ZG 26 and III./ZG 1 in Mediterranean till 1943.

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eduard

INFO Eduard - November 2020