In 1934, the Reichsluftfahrtministerium issued a design requirement for Germany's first long-range, strategic fighter that could escort bombers all the way to their targets and back. In response to this requirement, Messerschmitt pro- posed an aircraft that would eventually become the Bf 110, and the first prototype made its initial flight on May 12, 1936. This aircraft, designated the Bf 110V1, was followed by two more prototypes designated the Bf 110V2 and Bf 110V3. The first production version was the Bf 110A-O, but because it was considered to be underpowered, it was quickly replaced by the Bf 1108 and Bf 110C variants. The large airframe of the Bf 110 permitted it to be adapted for a variety of missions in addition to that of a strategic fighter. Versions designed as fighter-bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, anti-shipping patrol aircraft, trainers, and tank busters with heavy cannon were all produced for the Luftwaffe during World War II. But the Bf 110's biggest contribution was as a night fighter. The first Bf 110 night fighter was the Bf 110E-1/U1 which was specifically modified for the night fighter role. This was followed by the Bf 110E-1/U2, which carried an extra crew member. But the first true night fighter was the Bf 110F-4. The Bf 110F-4a was fitted with a radar to aid the pilot in locating his target at night. This progression of improvements eventually led to the Bf 110G-4, which was the definitive, radar-equipped, night fighter. It is this version which your ProModeler kit represents. The Bf 110G-4 was originally equipped with the FuG 212 Lichtenstein C-1 radar, but this was subsequently upgraded to the FuG 220 and 220b Lichtenstein SN-2 radars to counter the allies' use of "window" chaff. Various armament combinations were tried in most ver- sions of the Bf 110 including the night fighters. Both machine guns and rapid-firing cannon were installed as were other weapons. Even mortars were carried under the wings of some aircraft. Projectiles from these large weapons would assure the destruction of any aircraft they hit. But one of the more interesting weapon installations made its appearance in 1943. Two upward-firing cannon were added in the rear cockpit. To utilize these weapons, the pilot flew the Bf 1106-4 directly under the enemy aircraft. The gunner in the aft cockpit then fired the two cannon up at the target. This proved to be a highly effective night-fighter tactic, particularly against allied bombers. These upward-firing cannon are included in your ProModeler kit. By the middle of 1944, the Bf 110G-4 equipped the majority of Nachtjagdgeschwaders (NJG) or night-fighter squadrons in the Luftwaffe. The most famous German night- fighter ace was Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, who is credited with 121 night victories. Major Schnafuer received the Diamonds to the Knights Cross for his exploits. He was also the Kommodor of NJG-4, and markings for an aircraft from this squadron are supplied in this ProModeler kit. Markings for another Bf110g-4 from NJG-6 are also provided.