BF 110 PORT ENGINE EXHAUST STUB

The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often known non-officially as the Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter (Zerstörer—German for "Destroyer") and fighter-bomber flown by the Luftwaffe. 

Armed with two MG FF 20 mm cannons, four 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns and one 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun or twin-barrel MG 81Z for defence, the Bf 110 served with considerable initial success in the early Polish, Norwegian and Battle of France campaigns.

Unfortunately, these early successes were not repeated for the Bf 110 during the Battle of Britain, where it found itself having to take over close bomber/escort duties from the Luftwaffe's primary fighter, the Bf 109 which lacked the operational range.

Having to reduce speed to match the lumbering German bombers, the Bf 110 struggled to fend off the faster and more maneuverable British Hurricanes and Spitfires and suffered significant losses.

After the Battle of Britain however; operating purely as a ground attack and strike aircraft, the Bf 110 was able to utilise its superior air speed to build an enviable reputation as one of the Luftwaffe’s most versatile and successful fighters across all theatres of operation from the Mediterranean and North Africa to Western Europe, the Balkans and the invasion of Russia.

One of the most successful Bf 110 - equipped Zerstörergeschwader (Heavy Fighter Wings) was the Luftwaffe’s highly decorated, ZG26.

Formed in 1939, KG26 and its three Staffels (Fighter Groups), had played a crucial role in Germany’s  invasions of the Netherlands, Belgium and the Battle for France but whilst suffering devastating losses during the Battle of Britain, it experienced significant successes during the later invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece.These successes were repeated again when ZG26’s I & II Fighter Groups fought on the Eastern Front as part of operation Barbarossa - Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union; with ZG26 III being sent to the Mediterranean and North African theatres.

The Soviet’s antiquated aircraft and inexperienced crews were no match for KG26’s battle-hardened pilots and by June 1941, KG26 had claimed over 750 Soviet aircraft destroyed. Unfortunately, the weather had now turned against them and the German forces soon found themselves bogged down in the frigid snows of the Russian winter on the outskirts of the city.

The siege of Moscow had begun, but the German Army were running short of ammunition, food and more importantly, fuel. To everyone’s surprise, the Germans suddenly abandoned the siege, turning south to the Volga River and Stalingrad instead - anxious to capture the surrounding oil fields of the Caucasus.

In the first 48 hrs of the battle for Stalingrad, the Luftwaffe were to drop a staggering 1000 tonnes of high explosives on the city, but things were about to change - the Soviets had been planning a counterattack.

That counterattack came on 19 November, 1942 which quickly led to the encirclement of Axis forces. The hunters had now become the hunted and with no hope of reinforcement, the German 6th Army were forced to surrender.

Now in full retreat,  ZG26 II were ordered to fall back to Eastern Prussia, whilst ZG26 I were returned to Germany to counter the growing USAAF daylight bombing raids pushing toward Berlin. 

Operating from hastely-modified runways around Konigsberg - just 172 miles north of Warsaw and flying almost continuous sorties against the advancing Soviets, the situation was growing more desperate for the pilots of ZG26’s Group II, with their bases now under air bombardment by both the Russians and the RAF. 

The Konigsberg runways were littered with crippled German aircraft and anticipating a siege of the city by the Soviets, the remaining operational aircraft were ordered back to Germany and the airfields blown up.

On 6 April, 1945 the Soviets mounted their final assault on the Konigsberg defenses and within three days, the city had fallen. It was to be the last posting for ZG26, with its pilots later converting to the new Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter and integrated into a new Fighter Wing - III./JG 6.

After the war, Konigsberg was renamed Kaliningrad as part of the new Soviet Union and the rusting and crumpled wrecks of what remained of ZG26s abandoned Bf 110’s were eventually removed for scrap and parts souveniered. This Bf 110 Port Engine Exhaust Stub was one of those items recovered.

This Messerschmitt BF 110 Collectable comes complete with detailed 1/72 or 1/48 Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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