Design of such aircraft was very difficult which was further enhanced by the decision of Willy Messerschmitt to design a dual engine aircraft because a single engine could not have provided enough power for the specified plane. The Messerschmitt company having no preious experience with this type of aircraft started work on its fisr dual engine long range escort fighter. The first problem accured when they realized that even the most powerful engine at that time (Junkers Jumo 210A of 610hp ) was inadequate. Daimler Benz which was engaged in developing a new DB600 liquid cooled inverted ree engine the DB600 promised the Messerschmitt 1000hp power.
The first prototype was ready on May 12, 1936. The plane was tested at Rechlin evalution center in 1937. The plane was very fast but not as maneuverable as expected. Because of difficulities in obtaining the Daimler Benz engine , the plane was unable to serve in legion Condor in the Spanish civil war.
BF110C was used during the Polish Campaign. during the campaign it saw no serious opposotion and since the Polish Air force was whiped out during the early days of the war , it was used as a ground support plane.
It wasn't until 1940, during the battle of Britian which Bf110 met its first worthy opponent. During the battle of Britain the Bf110s were ordered to protect German long ranged bombers which was the main Idea behind their design and production. instead of protecting the Bombers from RAF planes , the Bf110s had problem defending themselves! the battle of Britain was a total failure for the Bf110, because it did not manged to perform the task that it was designed for. Despite this failure and the withdrawal of Bf110s from the channel , there were no reduction in the production and 6150 units were manufactured until the end of the war ( From Bf110A-G )
The final variant of Bf110 was Bf110G. it was powered by DB605, 1475hp and was built in 1942. It was armed with MG151 cannon and four 7.92mm MG17 plus two 7.92mm MG81in the back . Bf110G could carry a bomb up to 2000kg, and was mainly used as night bomber.
Bf110 could reach the maximum speed of 550km/h and had a flying range of 2100km.
It is also intresting to know that, it was in a Bf110 that Rudolf Hess flew to England to negotiate a peace deal with the British without hitlers Knowledge.