Destination's Journey

Messerschmitt Bf 110D The Belle of Berlin in British markings on a landing ground in North Africa. This aircraft served with II/ZG76 in Iraq and was captured after crash-landing near Mosul in May 1941. It was used as a communications aircraft and later as a unit 'hack' by No.267 Squadron RAF

Messerschmitt Bf 110 in British Service

Messerschmitt Bf 110 in British Service

Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5 AX772

Messerschmitt Bf 110 C-5 (2177) (5F+CM) of the Luftwaffe reconnaissance unit 4(F)/14 force-landed after being hit by gun-fire at Goodwood (UK) on 21 July 1940. It was repaired at the Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough with parts of another Bf 110 that was shot down near Wareham on 11 July.

After evaluation, it was operated by No. 1426 (Enemy Aircraft Circus) Flight based at Duxford, Cambridgeshire. It was stored in November 1945 and subsequently scrapped in November 1947.

Messerschmitt Bf 110 C-5 of Luftwaffe reconnaissance unit 4.(F)14 (5F+CM) and was force-landed by gun-fire at Goodwood (UK) on 21 July 1940
Bf 110 C-5 (2177) 1941-42. Luftwaffe reconnaissance unit 4.(F)14 (5F+CM) and force-landed after being hit by gun-fire at Goodwood (UK) on 21 July 1940
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5, AX772, of No. 1426 (Enemy Aircraft Circus) Flight based at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, Originally 5F-CM
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5, AX772, of No. 1426 (Enemy Aircraft Circus) Flight based at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, Originally 5F-CM
Messerschmitt Bf 110 C-5 in RAF markings
Messerschmitt Bf 110 C-5 in RAF markings
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5, AX772, of No. 1426 Flight
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5, AX772, of No. 1426 Flight
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5, AX772
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5, AX772
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5, AX772
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5, AX772
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5 AX772
Messerschmitt Bf 110C-5 AX772
Messerschmitt Bf-110C-5 Painted in RAF Livery, the Aircraft Was Forced Down at Goodwood on 21 July 1940
Messerschmitt Bf-110C-5 Painted in RAF Livery, the Aircraft Was Forced Down at Goodwood on 21 July 1940
Messerschmitt Bf 110 C-5 in RAF markings

Messerschmitt Bf 110D The Belle of Berlin

Messerschmitt Bf 110D The Belle of Berlin served with II/ZG76 in Iraq and was captured after crash-landing near Mosul in May 1941. It was used as a communications aircraft and later as a unit ‘hack’ by No.267 Squadron RAF.

Messerschmitt Bf 110D captured in North Africa
Messerschmitt Bf 110D captured in North Africa
Messerschmitt Bf 110D The Belle of Berlin in British markings on a landing ground in North Africa. This aircraft served with II/ZG76 in Iraq and was captured after crash-landing near Mosul in May 1941. It was used as a communications aircraft and later as a unit 'hack' by No.267 Squadron RAF
Messerschmitt Bf 110D The Belle of Berlin in British markings on a landing ground in North Africa. This aircraft served with II/ZG76 in Iraq and was captured after crash-landing near Mosul in May 1941. It was used as a communications aircraft and later as a unit ‘hack’ by No.267 Squadron RAF

Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4/R3 AM30

Post war, a large number of Luftwaffe aircraft were captured in Germany. Of the 37 Messerschmitt Bf 110s found, were selected for evaluation by the RAF some of which were allocated Air Ministry serial numbers..

Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4/R8, 3C+BA (Wk. Nr. 180560) of NJG 4 was captured at Eggebek. Designated RAF AM15, this aircraft was struck off charge on 30 May 1946.

Messerschmitt Bf 110G4/R3 (Wk. Nr. 730037) was recovered at Grove, Denmark. Given Air Ministry serial AM30 it was scrapped at Farnborough in 1946. .

Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4/R6, (Wk. Nr 730301) with FuG220 radar was captured at Grove, Denmark. The aircraft had served with 1/NJG3 in the night defence of Denmark and Northern Germany. Designated RAF AM34, this aircraft is preserved in the RAF Museum, Hendon.

Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4/R8, D5+DM (Wk. Nr. 180551), of II/NJG 3 captured at Kastrup, Denmark.  Designated AM38, this aircraft was likely scrapped at Kastrup.

Messerschmitt Bf 110G-5/R1, (Wk. Nr. 420031), captured at Eggebek.  Designated RAF AM85. This aircraft was scrapped at Brize Norton in 1947.

Messerschmitt Bf 110G, (Wk. Nr. unknown).  Designated RAF AM86.  This aircraft was possibly scrapped at West Raynham.

Messerschmitt Bf 110G, (Wk. Nr. unknown).  Designated RAF AM88. It was possibly used by JG 400, as it was found at Husum a former JG 400 base. This aircraft was scrapped at Schleswig.

Messerschmitt Bf 110G in RAF markings
Messerschmitt Bf 110G in RAF markings
Messerschmitt Bf 110G being serviced by Luftwaffe ground crew on Grove airfield, before the aircraft is sent to England for research. C. 1945-08
Messerschmitt Bf 110G being serviced by Luftwaffe ground crew on Grove airfield, before the aircraft is sent to England for research. Grove, Denmark. C. 1945-08
German POWs remove the machine guns from a Messerschmitt Bf 110G supervised of a Royal Air Force armament officer, 1945.
German POWs remove the machine guns from a Messerschmitt Bf 110G supervised of a Royal Air Force armament officer, 1945.
German prisoners of war paint British markings on a Messerschmitt Bf 110G night fighter August 1945
German prisoners of war paint British AM30 markings on a Messerschmitt Bf 110G night fighter August 1945
Messerschmitt Bf 110G in RAF markings
Messerschmitt Bf 110G in RAF markings
Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 R3 in RAF markings, 1945 RAF AM30 scrapped at Farnborough in 1946
Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4/R3 in RAF markings, 1945 RAF AM30 scrapped at Farnborough in 1946