Messerschmitt Bf 110D Zerstorer Aufklarungsgruppe 14 Dackelbauch

Messerschmitt Bf 110C Zerstorer 4.(H)/14 01

Photo 01: This reconnaissance Bf 110CS from 4.(F)/14 displays heavy mottling on the fuselage sides and on both inside and outside of the fins and rudders. Of particular interest is the high contrast between the two colours applied to the upper wing surfaces, engine cowlings and the fuselage spine, almost certainly RLM 71 and 02.

Messerschmitt Bf 110C Zerstorer 4.(H)/14 02

Photo 01: The 'Baron Munchhausen' emblem can be seen on this Bf 110C-S of the reconnaissance unit 4.(F)/14. Note the heavy mottle down the fuselage sides and on both engine cowlings, as in the previous photograph.

2 Staffel I Gruppe Aufklärungsgruppe 14 - 2.(F)/14

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2.(H)/14 (5F+ K) 01

Photo 01: Flying personnel of Aufkl.Gr 14 pose on the wing of a Bf 110 of the unit. Note that this aircraft carries the unit emblem of 2./Aufkl.Gr123, and that unit's code has been crudely overpainted on the fuselage. This aircraft does note have frame numbers painted on the fuselage, and the hatch does not carry the normal first aid marking of a red cross on a white circle, both probably painted over when the single top surface colour was applied.

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2.(H)/14 (5F+ K) 02

Photo 02: With the port engine running, mechanics crank the starboard engine of this 2./Aufkl.Gr.14 Bf 110E-3.As in previous photos, this machine is tltted with tropical equipment. Two tone upper surface camouflage is carried, and the colour of the lower engine cowlings is noteworthy. Contrasting it with the white on the propeller spinners would suggest that this colour is yellow, or a fresh application of the light blue undersurface colour.

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2.(H)/14 (5F+ K) 02

Photo 03: In-flight view of a very badly weathered Aufkl. Gr. 14 Bf 110 with a thin white theatre band just aft of the fuselage cross.

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2.(F)/14 (+F) North Africa 1941-42 01

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2./Auflk. Gr. 14 (5F+OK) showing battle damage.

Photo 01: Bf 110E-3, 5F+OK, of 2./Auflk. Gr. 14 showing a two tone upper surface camouflage pattern, and damage to the fuselage and starboard flap.

Messerschmitt Bf 110F2Trop Zerstorer 2.(H)Aufkl14 (5F+QK) taxing North Africa 1942 01
Messerschmitt Bf 110F2Trop Zerstorer 2.(H)Aufkl14 (5F+QK) undergoing repairs North Africa 1941 01

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2.(H)/14 (5F+PK) North Africa 1941-42 01

Photo 01: 5F+PK, has its theatre band behind the last character of the fuselage code. The small W Nr. can be seen just above the swastika.

Messerschmitt Bf 110C Zerstorer 2./(H)14 (5F+RK) North Africa 1942

Photo 01: White 9 of 4./JG27 on a captured airfield, probably at the end of 1941 or early 1942. Also seen is a Bf 110 from ZG26 (with the unit code 3D, with another belonging to 2.(H)/14 (unit code 5F, and a Bf-109F-4 Trop, Black 4, of 8./JG27 in the background. Aircraft graveyards were a common sight during the desert war as the attrition rate was extremely high due not only to combat damage but also severe maintenance problems.

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2./(F)AG14 (5F+SK) 01

Photo 01: One of the slowest, and one of the fastest, modes of transport are captured perfectly in this shot. 5F+SK has its theatre band in a different position to that of 5F+PK of the same Staffel.

Messerschmitt Bf 110E3 Zerstörer 2./(F)AG14 (5F+UK) Mediterranean 1942-43

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2./(F)AG14 (5F+YK) W.Nr 2408 North Africa

Profile 00: Messerschmitt Bf 110E-3, 5F+YK, of 2./Aufkl.Gr.14 Reconnaissance Bf 110E-3, 5F+YK, W. Nr. 2408, of 2./Aufkl.Gr.14. A single upper surface camouflage colour has been applied, with the previous unit's code,4U, crudely overpainted. The theatre band on this aircraft is very wide; other Bf 110s of the Staffel in the African theatre can be seen with a thin fuselage band. The emblem is that of 2./Aufkl.Gr123, and it would appear that the emblem was left on the aircraft when it was transferred from that unit.

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2./(F)AG14 (5F+YK) W.Nr 2408 01

Photo 01: Bf 110E-3, 5F+YK,W Nr. 2408, of Autkl.Gr.14, with damage to the upper fuselage. Note that the theatre band on this aircraft is twice the width of that seen in previous photos of 5F+PK and 5F+SK. On the forward fuselage the unit emblem of 2./Autkl. Gr. 123 can be seen. It would appear that at some point Autkl. Gr. 14 took on charge some Bf 110s from 2./Autkl.Gr.123 but did not bother to remove the previous unit's emblem.

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2./(F)AG14 (5F+YK) 01

Photo 01: Bf 110E-3, 5F+YK, of Aufkl.Gr.14. It cannot be stated with certainty that this is the same aircraft as in the previous photo. Note the armoured windscreen and the enlarged radiator, which was part of the tropical kit fitted to many Bf 110s in the African theatre.

Messerschmitt Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 2.(H)/14 (5F+ZK) 01

Photo 01: 5F+ZK, a Bf 110E-3, showing the tropical filter and enlarged radiator tltted to combat the conditions of the African theatre. The emblem of 2./Autkl.Gr123 remains on this Bf 110 of Aufkl.Gr.14.

Messerschmitt Bf 110C Zerstorer 4.(H)/14 01

Photo 01: This reconnaissance Bf 110CS from 4.(F)/14 displays heavy mottling on the fuselage sides and on both inside and outside of the fins and rudders. Of particular interest is the high contrast between the two colours applied to the upper wing surfaces, engine cowlings and the fuselage spine, almost certainly RLM 71 and 02.

Messerschmitt Bf 110C Zerstorer 4.(H)/14 02

Photo 01: The 'Baron Munchhausen' emblem can be seen on this Bf 110C-S of the reconnaissance unit 4.(F)/14. Note the heavy mottle down the fuselage sides and on both engine cowlings, as in the previous photograph.

4. Staffel II. Gruppe Aufklärungsgruppe 14 - 4.(H)/14 or 4.(F)/14

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 4.(H)/14 (5F+BM) W.Nr 2408 MTO

Profile 00: Messerschmitt Bf 110E-3, 5F+BM, of 4./Aufkl.Gr.14 Reconnaissance Bf 110E-3, 5F+BM, W. Nr. 2408, of II./Aufkl.Gr.14. A single upper surface camouflage colour has been applied, with the previous unit's code,4U, crudely overpainted. The theatre band on this aircraft is very wide; other Bf 110s of the Staffel in the African theatre can be seen with a thin fuselage band. The emblem is that of 2./Aufkl.Gr123, and it would appear that the emblem was left on the aircraft when it was transferred from that unit.

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 4.(H)/14 (5F+BM) W.Nr 2408 01

Photo 01: Bf 110E-3, 5F+BM, W Nr. 2408, of Autkl.Gr.14, with damage to the upper fuselage. Note that the theatre band on this aircraft is twice the width of that seen in previous photos of 5F+PK and 5F+SK. On the forward fuselage the unit emblem of 4./Autkl. Gr. 123 can be seen. It would appear that at some point Autkl. Gr. 14 took on charge some Bf 110s from 2./Autkl.Gr.123 but did not bother to remove the previous unit's emblem.

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstörer 4.(H)/14 (5F+BM) 01

Photo 01: Bf 110E-3, 5F+BM, of Aufkl.Gr.14. It cannot be stated with certainty that this is the same aircraft as in the previous photo. Note the armoured windscreen and the enlarged radiator, which was part of the tropical kit fitted to many Bf 110s in the African theatre.

Messerschmitt Bf 110C 4.(H)/14 (5F+CM) pilot Friedrich-Karl Runde W.Nr 2177 00

Profile 00: Messerschmitt Bf 110C-S of 4.(F)/14 This reconnaissance Bf 110C-5 was the first to fall into British hands showing the revised fuselage camouflage of lighter sides with an irregular mottle. The camouflage appears to be two greys, perhaps the earliest known example of such colours being used on a Bf 110. Note that the individual aircraft letter 'C' is not in the normal Staffel colour for 4.Staffel  - white, but is in black. Note also the small section of the port rudder painted in primer.

Messerschmitt Bf 110C 4.(H)/14 (5F+CM) pilot Friedrich-Karl Runde W.Nr 2177 01

Photo 01: This Bf 110C-5, 5F+CM, W.Nr. 2177, of 4.(F)/14 was shot down by Red Section of 238 Squadron on 21 July 1940. Oblt. Fricdrich Karl Runde managed to put it down in relatively good condition and parts from 2N+EP the machine of Oblt Gerhard Kadow of 9./ZG76 were used to get 5F+CM back to flying condition for comparative tests against RAF fighters. Note the heavy mottle on the fuselage sides of this aircraft also.

Messerschmitt Bf 110C 4.(H)/14 (5F+CM) pilot Friedrich-Karl Runde W.Nr 2177 02-03

Photo's 01-02: Two views of 5F+CM restored to flying condition for flight testing.

Messerschmitt Bf 110C Zerstorer 4.(F)/14 (5F+MM) 01-02
Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstorer 2.(F)/14 (+F) North Africa 1941 42 01
Messerschmitt Bf 110E Zerstorer II.AG14 (5F+xx) North Africa 01-03
Messerschmitt Bf 110F2Trop Zerstorer 2.(H)Aufkl14 (5F+xx) North Africa 1941 01
Messerschmitt Bf 110F2Trop Zerstorer 2.(H)Aufkl14 5F undergoing repairs North Africa 1941 01