          The Me410A-2/U4 "Hornisse" Zerstorer

The Me410 series grew out of the disastrous Me210 series of
aircraft, which in turn were to replace the Bf110 as twin-
engined fighters and fighter-bombers.  Essentially, the Me410
is an Me210 with the bugs fixed.  The designation was changed
for political reasons.

The Me410A-2/U4 was a "zerstorer" (heavy fighter) as opposed
to the A-1 "schnellbomber" versions, which carried bombs.
Instead, the A-2/U4 had a 50mm BK 5 cannon with a 21 round
cylindrical magazine in addition to the normal 2 x MG 17
7.9mm and the 2 x MG 151 20mm cannon, all housed in the nose.
There were also two remotely controlled barbettes housing MG
131 13mm machine guns facing to the rear.
Top speed was 388 mph.

The "Hornissengeschwader", II/ZG 26, racked up a large tally
of bomber kills with the Me410A-2/U4 as they had received a
number of them.  However, on 13 May 44, the Gruppe was
bounced by some P-51D Mustangs on the way to intercept a
bomber raid on Poznan.  They suffered such heavy casualties
that they were stood down as a unit, later reforming with FW
190s.

The Me410B-2/U4 was very similar to the above, but had only 2
x MK103 cannon in addition to the 50mm BK 5.  Top speed was
slightly better, at 391 mph.  Reportedly one hundred of the
Me410B-2/U4 were built.

There were many other Me410 versions, such as the Me410B-2/U2
with 4 x MG151 20mm cannon and two 7.9mm machineguns in the
nose!

To use the 2 x 13mm remotely controlled barbettes with 500
r.p.g. <Grin> simply push the "G" button, and then press "2"
to go to the tail position.  No other gun position is active
(ammo=0).  Then place the guns on autofire by pressing "A".
Return to the piot's position with a "P".  Note that this is
all standard B17 instructions.  To manually fire the guns
would be unrealistic, so for maximum historical enjoyment I
would recommend placing the rear barbettes on autofire and
then leaving them alone.

If you build your own missions for this plane, I would
recommend using the "early camoflage" option only, as the
late camoflage option is less aesthetically pleasing.

The hexing for the two remotely controlled barbettes was
discovered by Chris Rice, who found the way to bypass having
a B17 interior and still get gun positions.  Thanks, Chris!

Data from "Warplanes of the Third Reich" by William Green.
Created by Gregory M. "Sturmer" Smith

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