Tamiya 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Me 262A-2a

Manufacturer: Tamiya, distributed by Tamiya America, 2 Orion, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-4200, 800-826-4922,
www.tamiyausa.com
Kit: No. 61082
Scale: 1/48
Price: $45
Comments:Injection-molded, 162 parts (1 cast metal), decals
Pros: Crisp molding, excellent detail, precise fit, nose weight, ground crew and pilot figures, Kettenkraftrad bonus, many extra options
Cons: Four-gun fighter version not available in this issue, windscreen a bit narrow at the rear

To call the Me 262 a great technological achievement is an understatement. Beyond being the first jet-powered aircraft to see combat, the Me 262 laid the groundwork for all jet aircraft that followed. Designed as a fighter, it was also used in a less-appropriate role as a bomber.


Tamiya's first issue of the Me 262 portrays the bomber version. Just a peek in the box reveals it is jammed with detail. Included are one ground crew and two pilot figures, an alternate bomb rack, jet intake covers, open or closed gun compartment covers, bombs, cannons, rocket-assist pods, and a specially formed nose weight. Tamiya even provides a minikit of the Kettenkraftrad, a tracked motorcycle used as a tow vehicle!


The cockpit module's design mimics the actual Me 262 with its tub-like structure serving as the top of the compartment for the main landing gear wheels. The cockpit detail is good.


The gun compartment includes two nicely detailed MK108 cannons. The top of the nose-gear bay and floor of the gun compartment are molded in one cast-metal piece to help balance the model on its landing gear.


Test fit the fuselage halves carefully before cementing to make sure the cockpit and nose weight don't interfere. Tamiya has provided structural detailing throughout the fuselage interior - a sign, perhaps, that a "clear" version is coming.


Tamiya molds the nose with four panels, and you have the option, which I took, of posing the top gun-bay panels open. There were small gaps at the fronts of the lower panels that were easily filled. If you intend to display the gun compartment open, you can use the closed upper panel as a painting mask!


I installed the windscreen at the same time I assembled the fuselage, since a portion of the fuselage is molded with the windscreen. This system provides a realistic uselage/windscreen joint, but you'll have to carefully mask the windscreen inside and out before painting the fuselage. I painted the interior of the fuselage panels of the clear part to prevent the panels from being translucent.


The windscreen was a bit too narrow at the back. A little downward pressure splayed the trailing edges into position. Tamiya kept the wings simple, with no separate flaps or leading-edge slats provided, but aftermarket resin parts are already available to show dropped flaps and slats. The engine pods went together neatly and attached to the wings perfectly. Clear navigation lights are provided for the wingtips and the rear end of the fuselage.


Treaded and treadless nose-gear tires are included. The landing gear attachment pegs are keyed and the tires won't rotate on the axles. The multi-part gear doors are well represented.


The canopy is designed to be posed open, so you'll have to trim off the attachment tabs to pose it closed.


Tamiya's Kettenkraftrad is a neat little kit within a kit. It's broken down into the main body, front steering assembly, and two track assemblies. Most of the wheels are separate parts and require a bit of time with painting and installation. Encountering no assembly problems, I built the vehicle in less than two hours.


I painted my Me 262 with Gunze Sangyo's Aqueous Luftwaffe colors. Decals (enough for three aircraft are provided) went on well with a small amount of setting solution. The decal sheet also provides a comprehensive set of stencils.


I used Classic Publications' Me 262 Volume 2 as my main reference, as it extensively covers the bomber version of the aircraft. The kit appears to be right on the money when compared to the references.


I completed my Me 262 in 25 hours, and it was a most enjoyable project. This new kit can be recommended to modelers of all skill levels, and it will be a must-have for Luftwaffe enthusiasts.