Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

Messerschmitt BF 110 - Fw. Hermann Brinkmann and Bordfunker Uffz. Erwin Grüschow, ZG 26 'Horst Wessel', Luftwaffe, Battle of Britain, September 1940

1:72 Scale.  Length: 7.25".  Wingspan: 8.75"


Limited Edition of 1200 Models Worldwide

On September 11, 1940, Feldwebel Hermann Brinkmann and Uffz. Erwin Grüschow of 2 Staffel ZG 26 were assigned as escort for an attack on London. On attempting to start their Bf 110C-3 neither engine would fire and the crew quickly ran to a spare, a early and somewhat war weary Bf 110 C-1, U8+HL, of 3 Staffel, ZG 26.

The mission proceeded and after a ferocious battle with RAF Squadrons over the south east of England the Bf 110s retreated to await the return of the bombers. During this maneuver one of Brinkmann's engines seized up and he had to break formation. Despite diving low and heading for France he was spotted and attacked by RAF fighters.

With hits to his other engine Brinkmann had no choice but to put down his stricken aircraft. He landed at Cobham Farm, Charing. Both crew members survived and were taken as POWs. By the end of the action the Luftwaffe had lost 25 aircraft (5 ZG 26 Bf-110Cs) with 60 aircrew killed or captured, while the RAF lost 29 fighters with 17 pilots killed.

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was a German twin-engine heavy fighter used by the Luftwaffe during World War II. Later in the war it was developed into a formidable night-fighter aircraft. First flown on May 12, 1936, the Bf 110 entered service in 1937. It was used with considerable success in early campaigns against Poland, Denmark, Norway and France. Being a relatively large aircraft it lacked the agility of single-engine fighters such as the British Spitfire and Hurricane. This flaw was exposed during the Battle of Britain when some Bf 110-equipped units were withdrawn from combat after very heavy losses and redeployed as night fighters, a role that the aircraft was well suited for. It had a successful period following the Battle of Britain as an air superiority fighter in other theatres. During campaigns in the Balkans, Northern Africa and on the Eastern Front, the Bf 110 rendered valuable ground support to the German Army as a fighter-bomber.


The Corgi Aviation Archive features a wide selection of high quality, ready-made, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are built with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This detailed model of a Messerschmitt Bf 110 features: