Fall of Zerstorer

[No.1]

From March 1944, the sheer number of American escort fighters outnumbered, outguned and outperformed the Zerstorer. The first major serback came on March 1944 when ZG 76 lost a devastating 26 aircraft shot down by P-51s out of 43 in the air. The Mustangs had struck just as the Bf110 were about to attack bombers in the Augsburg area, and there was no time to form a defensive circle. III/ZG 76 never flew a mission again and was disbanded. It was begining of the end for the Zerstorer

[Nico Braas]

Me-110 only excelled it its role as nightfighter. As heavy dayfighter it just was a failure!
It could knock out 'heavies' ('Viermot') with cannon armament but it was definitely no match for Allied singe seat single engine fighters. I believe nightfighter version is now on display at RAF Museum at Hendon.

[Second Air Force]

This thread fits nicely with the upcoming Group Build.

I have always found the appearance of the '110 to be beautiful even if it didn't work out in its intended purpose. As Nico said, the nightfighter role was the "bread and butter".

[Jukka Juutinen]

Hmm, I have lately come to a conclusion that the 110 might have been actually a better warplane than generally given...

[No.1]

Maybe if it could be used in other tactics I guess. What is your opinion about that?