Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse

Designed as a successor to the Messerschmitt 110, the Hornisse ('Hornet') was one of the most versatile aircraft in the Luftwaffe's inventory, with more than 100 variants seeing the light of day.

This two seat aircraft was used as a fighter - especially against American bombers in daylight raids - a night fighter, a bomber, reconnaissance aircraft and ground attack aircraft. Me 410s served everywhere the Luftwaffe did, From Russia to Italy.

The example at Cosford is a fighter version, which at one time would have had a formidable array of guns mounted under the pilot.

Another unusual feature is the pair of electrically-powered, remote-controlled rearward-firing 12.7mm machine guns mounted on either side of the fuselage.