Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet)

History

The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse ("Hornet") was an evolution of the eventually scrapped Me 210 design, which suffered stability and handling issues during its short lifespan. While the Hungarians improved on the Me 210C model, it was the Me 410 that really took the line to the next level.

The new aircraft received an entirely new designation (Me 410) to distinguish the type from its earlier failed forms and proved to be an effective one in World War II (1939-1945) battle platform.

The Me 410 introduces the new Daimler-Benz DB 603A, which delivers up to 1,750 hp in a twin-engine arrangement. The engines are mounted on each wing's slender, streamlined nacelle and extend partially to the leading edge. The plane was flown by two crew members (pilot and full-time gunner). As a heavy fighter, the aircraft is armed with 2 x 20mm MG 151 cannons and 2 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns (nose mounted). In addition, a pair of 13mm MG 131 machine guns mounted on the sides of the blister (operated remotely) were deployed as a countermeasure against trailing interception enemy aircraft.

The bomb load carried in the internal bomb bay may be up to 2,200 pounds for conventional interim storage.

The Me 410 was successful against Allied bomber formations, but was less effective against the more compact, more maneuverable escort fighters??. It features a tight support role, and the problems encountered in previous Me 210 designs appear to have been resolved. Variants of the Me 410 family include multiple fighter-bomber/reconnaissance models and several proposed and experimental derivatives.

The service was launched in 1943, but its late entry into the war meant it had a short operational life, as German resources were increasingly devoted to producing fighters such as the veteran Messerschmitt Bf 109G.

Total production of the Me 410 before the end of the war was 1,189 units.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes