The Me 410 Hornisse was developed in 1942 to replace the Me 210 and was essentially similar to the late-production examples of this latter aircraft. In addition to embodying in its design all the modifications incorporated into the Me 210 - including the new cockpit canopy, lengthened fuselage and wing leading-edge slots - it introduced Daimler-Benz DB 603A engines. Initial tests were carried out with aircraft converted from Me 210As and these were followed by a true Me 410 prototype which flew for the first time at the end of 1942.
Demonstrating far more attractive characteristics than those of its forerunner, the Me 410 was ordered into production and some 1,100 were built before construction came to an end in September 1944. Versions included the Me 410A-1 high-performance light bomber; A-1/U-2 fighter conversion of the A-1; A-2 destroyer; and A-3 photo-reconnaissance aircraft; similar B-1, B-2 and B-3 versions; B-5 torpedo bomber; and B-6 anti-shipping strike aircraft. A number of variants of the foregoing were built, but several projected versions failed to enter production.
Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse on YOUTUBE
Comments
guozhong, 18.06.2011 09:58
I am very interested in all Informations about Me 410, especially in Werk.-Nr. and Markings. Is it possible to get some Digital Photos of this Plane.
As someone stated on the Me 210 page, the fix to this machine was to install leading edge slots and redesign the rear fuselage, lengthening it by 3 ft. 1 1 /2 inches (0.95 m) and making it deeper, and installing more powerful engines. (See David Mondey's book "Axis Aircraft of World War II", Smithmark Publishers, 1996, for details). Specifications for the Me 410A-1 /U2 are as follows as per Mondey: Engines: 2 x 1,850 hp (1,380 kw) DB603A 12 cyl. inverted Vee piston engines. Performance: Max Speed 388 mph at 21,980 ft; Cruising Speed 364 mph; Service Ceiling 32,810 ft. Max Range: 1,050 miles Weights: Empty Equipped: 16,574 lb; Loaded 21,276 lb. Dimensions: Span: 53 ft. 7 3 /4 inches; Length: 40 ft. 11 1 /2 inches; Height: 14 ft. 1 /2 inch; Wing Area: 389.67 sq. ft. Armament: 4 x 20mm MG151 cannon and 2 x 7.92mm MG17 mg's firing fwd. plus 2 x 13mm MG131 mg's in rearward firing barbettes. Operaters: Luftwaffe,Hungary Mondey says the Hungarians built the Me 410C in the Danube Aircraft Factory and used it successfully. It had the leading edge slots and lengthened fuselage modifications plus 1,475 hp DB605B engines built under license. Production started in 1943 with the Luftwaffe receiving two-thirds and Royal Hungarian Air Force one-third of the aircraft built. A total of 267 Me 410's had been constructed before production ended in March 1944.
On February 2nd and 11th 1945, I flew Me 410 serial # 451092 & 710332 from Jueterbog ( So of Berrlin) to Anklam (Pomerania) and NeuBrandenburg) I never liked that aiircraft , Hard stick handling and bad gliding angle, I flew uqite few rounds earlier at the airfield of Hildesheim wlk
I am very interested in all Informations about Me 410, especially in Werk.-Nr. and Markings. Is it possible to get some Digital Photos of this Plane. ??
Just saw last one in Smithsonian restoration facility. Engines are in "onerhaul" and look new, wireing is as supple s the day it was built. Can't wait to see her back together!!!
