Note: This isn't about the 110C or new/potential add-ons like E, F, etc... I think that's such a huge can of worms that it could have its own thread in the wishlist. This is about the 110G.
Just to put this out there, because you never know what HTC is working on remodeling at any given point...
The 110G we have is fairly limited in guns options.
Historically, the early 110G started with 4x 7mm and 2x MG151/20, like the 110C's BB guns. The 110G performance was the same except for the guns packages (and weights associated with them). The 30mm were not ready for a while in numbers, so they saw an evolution in the bomber-hunter models.
- First we had the 4x7mm, 2x20mm setup. This would be present on the G-1, G-2. We can add this to support mid-war engagements more in scenarios and events.
- The 4x7mm were often removed at a unit level to save weight. They were ineffective against bombers. The barrel ports were faired over and the nose was smooth, save for the gun camera "hump"...
- Then you had the gunpod being added so that the total armament to bring to bear on the bombers would be 4x 20mm.
The belly gunpod is inaccurate in AH2 I think. Most 110Gs I see with the gunpod have a larger style external gunpod. I think the current gunpod is correct historically, but that the style used on the 110s is of a different design. Simply a graphics issue. See more below.
- Then later you had the Mk108 guns added to the upper nose, which is what we have now. After that point I don't think they relied on the drag-inducing gunpods for bomber hunting. The problem is we get the 110G but with 30mm and many photos I see of 110Gs predate this. Adding more non-30mm options opens up this to fill in for earlier years as well as even subbing for E/F models (which were not too much different in performance, but without those 30mm you cannot justify the substitution).
So, food for thought for HTC, but it would be nice to add the following to the Bf110G-2 when you re-model it:
A) 4x7mm (upper), 2x20mm
B) smooth upper nose, 2x20mm lower
C) 2x30mm (upper), 2x20mm <-- this is the main option we have now
These 2 new guns options coupled with the belly gunpod allow you to cover the evolution of the 110G as a heavy fighter.
Since we currently have the gunpod as an option in the same column, you can get away with adding a clean 4x7mm, a bombed up 4x7mm, and a no-BBs with 4x20mm option, like:
4x7mm, 2x20mm
4x7mm, 2x20mm, 2x bombs
2x20mm, gunpod 2x20mm
and then the rest of what we have already. Or the gunpod could be separated to a different list, whatever. I don't know the best way off the top of my head, I'm just making the comment that we could (should?) have more options. Maybe add a clean 2x20mm with no bomb option (air to air only), but I'm not so sure about how often this was done. I think removing the 7mms was a direct response to adding the gunpod, but I could be wrong.
Oh, and one other minor detail:
Re-do the size and shape of the belly gunpod. It was as wide as the fuselage, much longer, and had 2 different shapes. One was rounded a bit more, and you could see the "ribs" along the back end as it was faired over to smoothly blend into the belly better. The other was a bit more bulky, and wider than the actual guns themselves needed. This "ramped" into the back of the belly.
Here is an example of the bulky one, more common I think:
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Nachtjager/photos/images/Messerschmitt-Bf-110G-Zerstorer-NJG-Lichtenstein-radar-02.jpgThat's a night fighter but it's the same gunpod.
Here is an angle from below, sort of. It is the piece on the lower most right most corner of this scale model sprue:
http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/rm/images/rg_4530_parts4.jpg
