Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse Book Review
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | December 2020 | Title | Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Richard A Franks | Publisher | Valiant Wings Publishing |
| Published | 2020 | ISBN | 978-0-9957773-4-7 |
| Format | 162 pages, softcover | MSRP (BP) | £19.95 |
Review
Sleek and advanced, Messerschmitt’s Me 210 & 410 sported heavy offensive armament, remotely controlled defensive weapons, and provision for bombing.
Intended as successors to the company’s legendary Bf 110 series, the problem-plagued designs ultimately proved unsuccessful in virtually every intended role.
Now the luckless Luftwaffe legends get full Valiant Wings treatment in The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (inc. Me 210 & Me 310) – A Detailed Guide to the Last Zerstörer – 16th in the publisher’s terrific “Airframe Album” range.
After a handy glossary and history, author Richard A. Franks scrutinizes:
- technical description
- prototype, production and projected variants
- camouflage & markings
The lavishly illustrated, 162-page monograph sports hundreds of drawings, tech-manual excerpts, and color & B&W photos. Richard J. Caruana’s coruscating color plates survey the sumptuous swath of Hornisse livery. And coverage contains a complete stencil suite with locations in a full-page, 1:48-scale multi-view.
Seeking even more project inspiration? Contents also include a beautiful build of Meng’s 1:48-scale Me 410B-2/U4 by Steve A. Evans. And three appendices complete coverage:
- Kits
- Decals & Masks
- Bibliography
Santa came early this year with this superb study. Make it your “one-volume” library on Messerschmitt’s Me 210 & 410.
With thanks to Valiant Wings Publishing for the review copy.