CyberHobby 1/48 Bf-110D-3

The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often (erroneously) called Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter (Zerstörer - German for "Destroyer") in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Hermann Göring was a proponent of the Bf 110, and nicknamed it his Eisenseiten ("Ironsides"). Development work on an improved type, the Me 210 that was to replace the Bf 110, begun before the war started, but due to teething troubles, resulted in Bf 110 soldiering on until the end of the war in various roles, alongside its replacements, the Me 210 and the Me 410.

The Bf 110 served with success in the early campaigns, the Polish, Norwegian and Battle of France. The Bf 110's lack of agility in the air was its primary weakness. This flaw was exposed during the Battle of Britain, when some Bf 110 equipped units were withdrawn from the battle after very heavy losses and redeployed as night fighters, a role to which the aircraft was well suited. The Bf 110 enjoyed a successful period following the Battle of Britain as an air superiority fighter and strike aircraft in other theatres. During the Balkans Campaign, North African Campaign and the Eastern Front it rendered valuable ground support to the German Army as a potent fighter-bomber (Jagdbomber-Jabo). 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 times, Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, flew it exclusively, and claimed 121 victories in 164 combat missions.

The Bf-110D-3 and subject of this kit was a long-range Zerstörer with a lengthened tail for rescue dingy. Either two wing-mounted 300 L (80 US gal) or 900 L (240 US gal) drop tanks could be fitted. 500 kg (1,100 lb) ETC 500 was optional. 

CyberHobby has been touting their new line of 1/48 aircraft kits for a while and finally the first one arrives. Not surprisingly it is based on Dragon's superlative 1/32 Bf-110 and they have chosen the long-tailed 110D-3 version as their initial release. Not surprisingly the quality of the moldings is world class and the detailing is everything you'd expect from CyberHobby/Dragon. The kit includes a ton of detailing in the 280 parts included in the kit.

Though I've listed all the details below, a few things really struck me. One is that you don't have to build it with everything out in the open as you would with the Eduard kit. CyberHobby has provided a one-piece canopy in addition to the multi-piece version. The nose can be built closed or with the ability to show off the gun compartment. Same with the engines. As you know from the sticker on the box, this initial boxing has two complete engines and an additional instruction sheet if you wish to build your kit with these installed. Two types of drop tanks, a real wire HF radio antenna for along the side of the fuselage and a small P.E. fret for the antenna stand-offs, seat harnesses, and DF loop antenna. A superbly detailed interior and much more as listed below.  By the way, the smaller tail wheel and tail section for the earlier planes is not in this kit so you can only do a 110D.

Exclusive for Japan and USA, 1st Production Kits
- Engine has intricate detail represented by multiple parts
- Engine cowling cover can be assembled open/closed

- Highly detailed twin-engine heavy fighter-bomber with accurate 1:48 scale
- Leading edges can be slid down for optional assembly
- Three different depths of panel lines exhibit astonishing level of minute detail
- Aileron can be assembled in different position
- Realistic canvas pattern on tailfin w/authentic details
- Wing-mounted fuel tank for Bf110D
- Rudder represents the real one
- Detailed inspection covers with rivets
- Large diameter tail wheel for Bf110D
- Carefully reproduced oval-shaped tailfin specific to Bf110D
- Detailed fuselage with sharp detail
- Fuselage possesses metal-skinned detail
- Wings represent laminar-flow airfoil shape
- Detailed wind gauges on underside of wing
- Propeller blades with curved cross-section and true-to-scale thickness
- Cockpit canopy with realistic detail
- Cockpit canopy antenna finely detailed
- Cockpit canopy can be positioned open/closed
- Rear pilot's MG 15 with windproof cover for antiaircraft and rear defense
- Detailed slide-molded engine cowling cover has maximum detail
- Realistically detailed gun barrels are slide molded with hollow ends
- Realistic radiator vents included
- Air filter has fine detail
- Two ETC500 bombs and pylons precisely reproduced under the fuselage
- Detailed under-wing air intakes and vents
- Instrument panel authentically detailed
- Pilot's seatbelt upgraded by photo-etched parts
- Landing gear can be assembled in taxiing or folded position
- Strengthened landing gear realistically portrayed
- Wheels have realistic tread detail
- Landing gear compartment with interior detail-struts delicately rendered
- Full cockpit interior details - pilot's seat, instrument panel, radio and MG ammo included
- Intricate MG ammo included - double-drums for MG 15, round drums for MG FF
- Antenna devices located on underside of fuselage - loop antenna, antenna array and antenna mast
- Includes finely detailed mounting ladder
- Two drum-fed MG FF cannons under the fuselage
- Four MG 17 weapons for interior of upper nose


The instructions are super with several different paint references and all the painting info in the build process that you'd wish. The usual excellent construction drawings have 10 major steps with a number of smaller detail drawings and subassemblies shown. Markings are for two planes. One is the box art aircraft of 6./ZG76 in Greece during 1941. This is in RLM 71/02/65 with yellow nose, engine cowlings and rudders and somewhat dense mottling.. The kit provides two different designs of shark mouth. The other is in the same camo scheme and is a 4./ZG 76 plane with the German markings painted out  in RLM 65 and Iraqi insignia in their place for the Iraqi uprising of 1941. This plane has a white nose with yellow cowlings and white spinners, making for a very colorful plane. The decals are superbly printed and include a full stencil suit. Those wanting something different will find several aftermarket sheets with 110D markings on them, but the kit decals should perform very well.