1/48 Messerschmitt Me 410B-2 Hornisse (Hornet)

by Will Hendriks

Photos by Steve Bamford
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This is the Revell-Monogram Pro-Modeller Messerschmitt Me410B-1. This model represents a Me 410B-1/U2 of ZG26, based at Konigsberg/Neumark during 1943-44.

The model was built out of the box, with the exception of photo-etch seatbelts from the Reheat Luftwaffe set. The lower MG 151 20mm cannon barrels were replaced with brass tubing. The aerial is invisible thread, painted dark grey.

Gunze acrylic paints were used throughout. The decals came with the kit, and go down very well, with very little setting solution required. Weathering was accomplished with a ground pastel wash. Exhaust stains are successive light layers of various Tamiya acrylic earth tones.

The fit of the parts was good, the only problem I had was with the fit of the five-part canopy, some parts of which were slightly warped in my example. I used five-minute epoxy to assemble the canopy parts. The gunsight mount for the remote controlled gun barbettes (part 63A) needs to be trimmed somewhat to allow the canopy assembly to fit properly.

Overall an excellent kit of this infamous Luftwaffe Zerstörer.

Will

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Text © 2001 by Will Hendriks     Photos © 2001 by Steve Bamford