The Messerschmitt Bf-110 was designed for one mission, as a strategic fighter to accompany bombers to and from their targets, but found its greatest succes in an entirely different role, as a night-fighter. It was based on a requirement from 1934 from the Reichsluftfahrtministerium on a twin-engined, long-range fighter. It was called "Zerstörer" or "Destroyer" and was to have equal performances as smaller fighters and if possible compensate its lack in manouverability with greater firepower. The first protoduction versions were the Bf-110A and -B but underpowered and with poor performances they were later replaced with the Bf-110C. The -C model served mainly in the close-support role but finished all opposition it met, during the Blitzkrieg from Poland to France and the Low Countries but more than met its match in the Battle of Britain. The Spitfires and Hurricanes were far superior to any opposition the Bf-110 had yet encountered and they made mincemeat of the slow-turning, slow-climbing 110. Over England it became an escort fighter that needed its own escort, and before long the 110 was withdrewn from the Battle of Britain. From 1942 and forward the 110 was developed into a highly effective night fighter, and in this role it ran up an impressive tally of kills against brittish bombers. As the American daylight stategic bombing campain intensified, the Bf-110 was pressed into service, escorted by high-flying Bf-109s, as a bomber destroyer, lobbing rockets into bomber formations, and riddling stragglers with cannnon fire. The operators were Germany.

Specifications for Messerschmitt Bf-110C "Zerstörer"