Bf110D1/R1 Dackelbauch - dinghy extension or not?

[PMoz99]

I recently acquired Dragon's 1/32 scale kit of this aircraft (kit #3207), and found they only provide parts for the extended tail which housed the dinghy, not the shorter version.
My information is that the dinghy extension was only standard on the D-3 and some D-0 models, and then on the E-2. The Dackelbauch would not have had it.
I wrote to Dragon China and asked them if they would be kind enough to send the parts for the short tail version, but they declined, saying they think they have it correct with the dinghy extension.
Does anyone have good information on this? Online profiles and other kits aren't any good for reference, and apart from the Squadron/Signal Bf110 books and the Osprey Zerstorer Aces book, I have no other references.
Thanks
Peter

[Snautzer]

Perhaps this helps BF 110 D Zusatzanlagen

.

[Leo Etgen]

Hello

John Vasco is the man to ask about the Bf 110 but if my memory is correct from reading his books on the subject all of the Bf 110 D-series had the "boat tail." Interestingly, the Dackelbauch you are modelling was the Bf 110 D-0; there was no D-1/R1.

Horrido!

Leo

[John Vasco]

Since I got a load of crap from one of the Mods recently (you know who you are), I'm providing no more information on here.

All I'll say is you are looking at the wrong books...

[Col Bruggy]

Peter,

Are you referring to M8+AL or M8+SL, or both?

Col.

[PMoz99]

Col, I was referring mainly to Gollob's AL, but I would have thought both would be the same ..... Are you saying that is not necessarily the case?
Thanks
Peter

[Col Bruggy]

Peter,

I haven't got a shot of Gollob's M8+AL, but there is another colour side view in, Messerschmitt Bf 110 Vol.II (Lublin:Kagero,2005, unpaginated rear section). This is similar to the Osprey/Weal profile of the same aircraft - dackelbauch - yes, extended dinghy storage - no. Conversely, in John Vasco and Fernando Estanislau's Messerschmitt BF 110 C,D and E An Illustrated Study Variants - Weapons - Equipment. Classic:Hersham,2008, we have two photographs (pp.157-8), of Bf 110D-O M8+SL (W.Nr.3157), one of them showing the dackelbauch and the dinghy extension!

Col.

[PMoz99]

Thanks, Col. That lines up with the only info I have - that the D-0 trial Dackelbauchs had the dinghy, and the D-1 did not. But was Gollob's really a D-1, or did Weal and Kagero get it wrong?
Or, as Snautzer hinted, maybe the dinghy extension was added in-field?
Peter

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

I notice that Jerry Crandall and Mark Proulx helped in the preparation of the Dragon 1/32 Bf 110 D kit. Maybe a comment from one of them might clear the air.

Col.

[Nick Beale]

Don't know if this helps at all — an RLM directive intercepted in August 1940:

CX/JQ/231
3. On 6/8 following memorandum was received by Luftflotte 3 from Air Ministry:

(a) Different types of Bf 110 D are to be distinguished by numbering, thus:

(1) Bf 110 D-0 has two jettisonable wing tanks and a fixed “basset-belly” (DACKELBAUCH — i.e. tank).
(2) Bf 110 D-2 has two external containers (with choice between bombs or “basset-belly”, as preferred).
(3) Bf 110 D-3 has external containers which can only be used for bombs — no “basset-belly” possible.
(Provisionally this type is also known as “Bf 110 D-0 — B”)

(b) Staffeln are to be equipped wholly with type 110 D-2 or wholly with type 110 D-3, so that they are homogeneous for operational purposes.

(c) Attention is again called to the order that Bf 109 may be used as bombers only after express instructions from LW Führungsstab.

In so far as training “with the new type” has not yet been carried out, a Kette at a time is to be attached for instruction by arrangement with Luftflotte 2, to Gruppe 210.