First of 3 Local BoB Bf 110 casualties
Around my home town of Eastbourne during August and September 1940, no less than 3 Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters were brought down over land and probably many others were lost off the coast, unable to regain comparative safety in north France.
Late afternoon on the 16th of August 1940 saw a formation of Heinkel He 111 bombers attempting to penetrate through to the RAF airfields around London. Their escort on this mission seems to have been made up mainly of heavy fighters from various of the units flying Bf 110s, although there must have been some 109s about as well. RAF fighters intercepted the formation around the Surrey/Sussex borders and the Luftwaffe force turned back towards France.
Hauptmann Ernst Hollekamp was part of the 6th Staffel / II ZG 2 flying a Bf 110 C identified as A2+GL. It was shot down by a No. 1 Squadron Hurricane pilot based at Northolt and the a/c broke up above clouds over the Meads area of Eastbourne sometime in the early evening. The gunner baled out but drowned off Eastbourne seafront, while Hollekamp's parachute appears to have failed to deploy fully and he was killed when he crashed onto the roof of one of the large houses in the Meads area. The remains of the aircraft ended up in the grounds of a school in Meads, now part of Brighton University.
Intent on modelling most of the local BoB casualties, I soon discovered that the only 1:48 scale Bf 110 C/D kit came from Fujimi whose pedigree I had little idea about as I ventured into my second modelling childhood some 10 years ago. Today there are much better renditions from Eduard mainly, but also Dragon. I have one of the Eduard kits to do and I suspect OOB it'll kick the Fujimi offering into touch, although from various modelling sites it's clear there are issues with various elements of the Eduard kit construction. The Japanese kit was the only one I could find back in 2005 and I ended up building 3 of these, the first of which is the subject of this post. I've learnt a thing or 3 about modelling realistic BoB a/c since this early rendition and hope that my next Bf 110 will be much better when I get round to it.
The Fujimi kit offered sparse detail in the pilot/gunner cabin which I tweaked a bit with some of the Eduard etched set for this model, which also provided extra detail for the oleo legs and wheel bays. The kit canopy included a moulded-in armout panel on the windscreen which didn't appear in any of the contemporary pics I had of ZG 2 a/c of the period. I replaced it with a Squadron Vac canopy that looked much more appropriate.
I was quite pleased when the whole thing eventually came together, but I suspect the Eduard kit will look a bit better when I get around to it. My one disappointment was allowing the cyano acrylate glue to fog parts of the glasshouse, since I wasn't happy with ordinary white glue or polystyrene cement. You live and learn by such mistakes.
I think it turned out quite well, Paul, considering the lineage of the kit used. I especially like what you've done with the exhaust staining (both top and bottom). Interesting narrative as well. Thanks for sharing your build.
Paul, let me agree with Craig, the exhaust staining is nicely done, as is the whole model. I also like the paint under the cockpit on the right side, looks like they'd just raised the line of the undersurface paint from the previous two tone green uppers all the way down the sides. That happened when they also toned down the greens by using 02.
The Fujimi was it for 110s in 48th for a long time. Personally, the wingtips look off, and I had some doubts about the nose shape, neigher deal breakers. Also, easier to add cockpit detail, than to grind away wrong.
I want to do one as a shot down, myself. Saw t done it a magazine years ago. A challenge, for certain.
Looks great! And a very nice project, I like models with a bit of history to them. Will be looking forward to your other two Bf110s. And, you give me some inspiration to start on the 1/72 Eduard kit I got in my stash:)
Great article and pointer to the realities of the Battle of Britain The Me-110 was ill suited for fighting single engine fighters and their crews payed the price. No happy endings. Interesting story and model with a little modeling history too. I've read articles that not only where written about the downed aircraft but, included the aircraft and pilot who brought down. Some good modeling and a again a great little article. Keep up the good work Paul.
" I’ve read articles that not only where written about the downed aircraft but, included the aircraft and pilot who brought" down the aircraft. My editor is Jazzed up on coffee again.
Thanks for all your encouragement guys. The detailed stories of the a/c brought down around Eastbourne in the summer of 1940 are included in the book "Beachy Head! Angels 20" for anyone interested in more depth about these casualties. Available through Amazon but also from me directly for anyone who cares to ask.
Paul
Really like this model, nicely done Paul. Many of my projects I have had a personal and/or geographic connection with.
Ian.
Nicely done Paul.I've got some questions for you off line about this kit.
Very nice! For cockpit glue, my local hobby store does have a version of CA glue that is "Gold" version, and won't craze clear plastic. Even though I prefer Gator Glue (a white glue), if I have a canopy that needs just a tad of muscle to get in place while it dries (usually with old kits and vac-formed canopies), I'll use the Gold CA glue. Just have to have it perfectly lined up while it dries...! (yep - I have misaligned at least one canopy in my time)
Cheers Gregg - I'll check out any "Gold" CA stuff hereabouts. The Gator range I've noticed in some hardware stores here but haven't tried it. I'll give it a go.
Paul
Great looking build!
I really enjoyed reading your article and looking at the photographs of your model. Some history goes a long way to making our hobby that much more enjoyable.
I think you did a great job Paul, and built a wonderful "110". It's like you mention about learning along the way, that's the best way to enjoy scale modeling. Every new project I do is a new learning curve to enjoy.
Also I must add that is interesting to read about the BoB local history.
I'm looking forward to your next built.
Cheers, Ferry.