The Embarrassing History of WWII’s Most Notorious Plane

A Design Meant to Impress

Germany had high expectations for the Messerschmitt Me 210. It was meant to replace the Bf 110 heavy fighter and showcase modern aviation technology. The goal was to create a versatile aircraft that could serve as a fighter, bomber, and ground attack plane. However, the Me 210 was plagued with design flaws, leading to frequent crashes and a reputation as one of the most problematic aircraft of the war.

Production of the Me 210 began before testing was complete, with authorities confident in its success. By the time serious issues became apparent, too many resources had been committed. The aircraft’s instability, handling problems, and mechanical failures led to frustration among pilots and engineers alike. In the end, only a few hundred were built before a redesigned version replaced it.

The Search for a Successor

The Me 210’s origins date back to 1934, when Germany sought a new multi-role aircraft that could serve as a long-range escort, heavy fighter, or bomber. This concept was known as the Kampfzerstörer project. Three companies submitted designs: Messerschmitt with the Bf 110, Henschel with the Hs 124, and Focke-Wulf with the Fw 57.

In less than a year, requirements changed, splitting the design into two separate roles: heavy fighter and fast bomber. The Bf 110 won the heavy fighter competition due to its compact size and external payload design. A modified version, the Bf 162, was proposed for the fast bomber role but lost to the Junkers Ju 88. The Bf 110 entered service in 1937 and proved effective in early campaigns, but its shortcomings became apparent during the Battle of Britain. It lacked the agility needed against faster, more maneuverable British fighters.

Development of the Me 210

Before the Bf 110 even entered full production, engineers were already designing a replacement. The Me 210 was expected to improve on the Bf 110 in every way. However, from the start, it faced serious problems.

One key change was the relocation of the cockpit farther back in the fuselage. The Me 210 also had an internal bomb bay, unlike the Bf 110, which carried bombs externally. It featured remote-controlled defensive guns, considered a major technological advancement at the time. These guns were supposed to improve defense coverage without requiring additional crew members, but they frequently malfunctioned and were difficult to aim.

On paper, the Me 210 seemed promising. It was designed to match the speed of single-engine fighters while maintaining the firepower and durability of a twin-engine aircraft. The Air Ministry had so much faith in the design that it ordered 1,000 units before the first test flight. This proved to be a costly mistake.

A Series of Failures

The Me 210’s first test flight in September 1939 immediately exposed major issues. The aircraft was unstable in both horizontal and vertical flight, making it difficult to control. It also had a tendency to stall during tight turns, leading to frequent crashes. Engineers attempted to fix these flaws by modifying the tail, replacing the original twin-tail with a single-fin design. Despite this, instability remained a serious problem.

In September 1940, the instability led to a crash of one of the test aircraft. Instead of halting production, authorities pressed forward. By mid-1940, pre-production units were sent to squadrons for evaluation, but pilots quickly reported the same dangerous handling issues. Engineers made multiple modifications, but none fully addressed the problem.

The most significant change involved lengthening the fuselage by 90 centimeters, improving stability. However, this fix came too late. Many of the earlier production units had already been delivered, resulting in frequent accidents. By 1941, only 94 aircraft had been completed, far fewer than the planned numbers.

The Me 210’s Replacement

By 1942, the Me 210’s failure was undeniable. To salvage the project, engineers made extensive changes to the design, resulting in the Me 410. The new aircraft addressed the Me 210’s flaws, including improved aerodynamics and better handling. The Me 410 performed far better in combat, but by the time it entered full production, Germany’s air strategy had shifted, and the aircraft never reached the impact originally intended.