History:

I/ZG 26 received their first ME-110's in December of 1939, and spent the winter working up on their new mounts. ZG 26 operated in support of German forces against France, moving west quickly, and taking up post on the Channel facing England. They flew escort missions over the Channel prior to the "official" start of the Battle of Britain, and were in the forefront of the fighting on "Aldertag", August 13, 1940 and thereafter, flying escort for German bombers over England.

On September 11, 1940 a 2nd Staffel crew, Fw. Hermann Brinkmann and his Bordfunker Uffz. Erwin Grüschow borrowed this aircraft after their regular aircraft failed to start. Over England, one of their engines abruptly quit. Almost immediately, their crippled aircraft was attacked by British fighters. Brikmann managed to shake them, and headed for the Channel, his remaining engine damaged in the attack. He knew he would not make it back, but he hoped to get far enough into the Channel were German search and rescue units may be able to find them.

It soon became obvious they would not even make the Channel, and Brinkmann started looking for a field in which to crash-land his aircraft. Just as Brinkmann picked a good-looking spot to put down, they were again attacked by an RAF fighter, causing further damage and wounding Uffz. Grüschow in the thigh. Brinkmann managed to belly-land in a field at Cobham Farm, Charing. Both Brinkmann and Grüschow became POWs.

Colors:

U8+HL, Werke number 1372, was probably among the first Bf 110s delivered to I/ZG 76, and still carried the standard early-war splinter pattern of dark green (RLM 71) and black-green (RLM 70) on the upper surfaces, with light blue (RLM 65) underneath. Compare this with U8+GL of the same staffelin the more contemporary Battle of Britain colors. The nose was painted in a white washable paint, and was an aid to recognition. This marking partially concealed the staffel emblem of 3/ZG 26 appearing on the port side just ahead of the cockpit. The size and position of the markings on this aircraft were more typical of Me-110's prior to the invasion of Poland.

References:
K. Merrick, German Aircraft Markings 1939-1945 (Sky Books/1977)
J Vasco & P Cornwell, Zestorer: the Messerschmitt 110 and its Units in 1940 (JAC Publications/1995)

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.

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.