History:

SKG 210, SchnellKampfGeschwader or Fast bomber squadron 210, operated in the ground attack role in support of the advancing German Army on the march to Moscow in 1941. With the coming of winter, the army stalled on the outskirts of Moscow. A Russian counter-attack drove the Germans back from the gates of Moscow, and SKG 210 continued to operate in support of the army, covering their retreat. While some aerial victories were scored by this unit, their real successes were in the ground attack role, bombing and strafing airfields, tanks, trains, and other targets ahead of the German Army.

Early in 1942, SKG 210 was redesignated ZG1, at which time a third Gruppe was added flying Messerschmitt 109's. With the spring offensive in 1942, the German Army advanced on a new axis, toward Stalingrad. By the early 1943, the attrition at Stalingrad had reduced I & II/ZG 1 (the third Gruppe had been transferred to the Mediteranean in the fall of 1942) to a handful of serviceable aircraft. By late Spring 1943, the unit was withdrawn from the line, refitted, and sent to the Mediteranean.

Colors:

This aircraft appears to be finished in standard day fighter colors of dark green-gray (RLM 74) and medium gray (RLM 75) upper surfaces, with light blue-gray (RLM 76) undersurfaces. The sides of the fuselage were lightly mottled medium gray (RLM 75) black green (RLM 70) and light green-gray (RLM 02) over light blue-gray (RLM 76.) The "Wespe" (wasp) on the nose was the unit insignia of SKG 210 (and later ZG 1.) The individual aircraft letter was painted in yellow, as were the spinner tips. The aircraft wore its yellow fuselage band ahead of the fuselage codes, customary in SKG 210/1 ZG.

References:
J. Vasco, The Sting of the Luftwaffe: SKG 210 and ZG 1 "Wespe" in World War II (Schiffer Publishing/2001)
John Weal, Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zestorer Aces of WW 2 (Osprey Aviation/1999)

Thanks to James Grimes for permission to do repaints for his excellent Messerschmitt bf-110C Zestorer, and a special thanks for this custom compile of his model to facilitate the application of special nose markings. The original model can be downloaded from: Virtual RLM for Combat Flight Simulator 2.

Copyright Info: This repaint is released as freeware, for all to use and enjoy. The repainted textures may not be used in any commercial package or project, nor may they be sold or altered for any purpose without the express permission of the author. This is my blood and sweat, if I'm not going to make any money off it, nobody else is either! This notice does not supercede the original copyright of James Grimes for his creation! Please respect both my rights as an authorized repainter, and his as the creator of this virtual aircraft!

I do not guarantee that this plane will work on your system. It works on mine, sorry but everyone else has to figure it out for themselves. I had no problems with it, but I offer no warrantees. Your computer blows up, you are on your own.