The Messerschmitt 210/410 Story

Author(s): Jan Forsgren 

ISBN: 9781781557310
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A concise and heavily illustrated history of the Luftwaffe’s Messerschmitt Me 210 and Me 410 heavy fighters.




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  • Describes the development, production and operational service of the multi-purpose Me 210 and Me 410 

  • Details the production and service of the Me 210C in Hungary as well as the Japanese evaluation of the heavy fighter 

  • The numerous variants of the Me 210 and Me 410 are researched and the RAF, USAAF and Soviet evaluations of the fighter listed 

  • Beautifully illustrated with many rare and unpublished mono photographs from the period 

  • Of interest to aviation and military historians as well as modellers


In 1938, the German Air Ministry (RLM) issued a requirement for a twin-engine heavy fighter to replace the Bf 110. This was known as the Zerstörer (Destroyer) and the first prototype flew in September 1939.

The Me 210 proved difficult to fly, having numerous deficiencies and it was said to be deadlier to its crews than the enemy. Nonetheless, the Luftwaffe ordered the Me 210 into production.

Operational trials began in late 1941; however, it was eventually acknowledged that the aircraft had to be redesigned in order to be accepted into service. The Me 210 proved to be a huge scandal. A redesigned variant, the Me 410, began to reach units in mid-1943.

Even if the Me 210 and Me 410 were similar in appearance, the latter had to be redesigned to avoid the extremely poor reputation of the former fighter.

The Me 410 proved a quite successful aeroplane, being used as a heavy fighter and for reconnaissance duties. Its closest Allied equivalent was the British de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito.

More than 1,500 Me 210/410s were built in Germany and Hungary with only two Me 410s surviving today.




BOOK ISBN 9781781557310
FORMAT 234 x 156 mm
BINDING Hardback
PAGES 208 pages
PUBLICATION DATE 29 August 2019
TERRITORY World
ILLUSTRATIONS 83 black-and-white photographs

 

 






Jan Forsgren has an M.A. in History, specialising in Sweden’s relationship with Cambodia from 1975-1989. Other academic merits include International Law and Archival Science. He enjoys travelling and occasionally tries to combine his interest in history in finding possible articles and book projects. He is attempting to establish himself as a freelance writer, mainly within aviation history and southeast Asia.

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