History:

In February 1942 the 235th Squadron of the 60 Bomb Group of the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force) was re-assigned to nightfighter duties, sending crews to Germany for training on Messerschmits and Dorniers in prepararion for its new mission. When members of the unit returned to Italy, the Germans supplied 3 Messerschmitt Bf 110C's and 12 Dornier 217's to the squadron. The ME-110's entered service with 235th Squadron in July and August of 1942. The unit spent several months working up to operational status. On 21 October the unit moved to Lonate Pozzolo to begin operations with it's three 110s. The Do-217 saw more use with the unit as some were equipped with radar sets, but the Me 110's flew patrols over the Lombardy region until the capitulation in September 1943.

Colors:

This aircraft was finished in a splinter pattern of dark greens (RLM 70 & 71) on the upper surfaces, with black undersurfaces. The machine still bore German insignia on the wings, but the fuselage insignia had been painted out and Italian squadron codes and tail crosses applied. It would appear that the wing insignia had been toned down a bit.

References:
F. D'Amico & G. Valentini, The Messerschmitt 109 in Italian Service (Monogram Aviation/1985)
Franco Ragni, German Fighters of WW2 (Squadron/Signal 1979)
The Italian Air Force Modelling Discussion Group

Thanks to James Grimes for permission to do repaints for his excellent Messerschmitt bf-110C Zestorer. The original model can be downloaded from: Virtual RLM for Combat Flight Simulator 2