Bf 110G and Me 410

[obdl3945]

Andy...

I do believe that the Messerschmitts were disadvantaged largely due to their heavy equipment and inability to react sufficiently quickly to attack. Whether through increased weaponry or simply by design, I feel there is also an element of lack of manoeuvrability involved. However, I can't say for example, that a Bf110G would be less likely to survive battle damage than a Mosquito. As you inferred, a well-aimed shell could easily bring down a seemingly better aircraft, but similarly, a capable pilot can do wonders with a difficult machine, irrespective of where the difficulty lies, be it inherent structural problems, or extensive battle damage. A Mosquito or Lightning would be hard-pushed, I suspect, to fare any better if caught in the sights of the Messerschnmitts' forward-firing weapons.

I know of no structural problems with either Messerschmitt aircraft unlike, for example, the Focke-Wulf Fw200 Condor which had a rear-fuselage weakness, inherent in its design due to being descended from an airliner. To fly easily, effortlessly and unhindered during peacetime is obviously not the same as being flung around the skies over the North Atlantic in mortal combat, and doubtless the latter compounded the Condor's problems, especially when landing back at base, when many a machine broke its back when the fuselage failed. All of which confirms your point, that this is a difficult question to answer, and that people will always disagree on the finer points. I, for example, happen to think the Ju87 Stuka and Do335 are aesthetically attractive aircraft, when viewed at a certain angle, and that the Bv141 is, how can I say, interesting in its design... but the poor Arado Ar240 was the ugliest duckling to come off the drawing boards... ! (laughs) Hope you're still talking to your friend...