Bf 110 C-6 Erprobungsgruppe 210

[John Vasco]

C-6s were first on charge with 1./ZG 1 in the latter part of the Western Campaign in June 1940. Codes were 2N+-H. Sometime during the Western campaign 1./ZG 1 moved from white for the third character of the fuselage code and white spinners, to blue outlined in white letters for the third character of the fuselage code, and white/blue/white for the prop spinners.

The C-6s were taken by 1./ZG 1 with them when they were re-designated 1./Erprobungsgruppe 210 (not kdo) on 1st July 1940 and based initially at Köln-Ostheim. They moved to Denain as their operational base in France on 10th July, using St. Omer-Arques as an initial jumping-off base for missions against England, later Calais-Marck from early August onwards.

The initial batch of fighter-bomber Bf 110 D-0/Bs received by the unit was distributwed between the Gruppenstab and 2, Staffel, resulting in 1. Staffel flying the Bf 110 C-6s on missions throughout July and from what is presently known, up to 15th August. 1./Erpr. Gr. 210 continued the practise of blue outlined white third character letter, and white/blue/white spinners.

One former member told me that he believed the unique use of the colour blue at this time of the war by this Staffel was due to the fact that 1./ZG 1 carried on the Richthofen-tradition (as opposed to the Richthofen name used by JG 2) from the units which preceded it and therefore was allowed to act outside the 'norm' in this area of Luftwaffe policy.

As for doing a C-6 kit, you will need to scratch-build the 30 mm. MG101 cannon and the fairing which enclosed it, and the forward lower fuselage changes also, as I believe no company has yet come up with a discrete set of parts for this sub-variant. One decal company, however, has a decal sheet in 1/48 for a C-6 marking.

Hope this helps.