Revell/Dragon 1/48 Me-262v9 Conversion

KIT #

?

PRICE:

$

DECALS:

see review

REVIEWER:

Allan Wanta

NOTES:

Antares conversion set used (approx $15)

HISTORY

  One of the many permutations of the Me-262 was a specially modified high-speed airframe with cut down canopy and other modifications. Although a top speed of 615 mph was achieved, the aircraft contained no weapons and all exposed seams and openings were sealed to make the airframe as clean as possible.

THE KIT

  This conversion is the first I’ve used from this Argentine Company, and it’s not going to be my last. Surprisingly well cast conversions clean packaging and thought out instructions should make these popular. Marcelo was very quick to ship the items; they showed up neatly packaged in about a week. I see that Roll Models are currently distributing them and would simplify ordering. The items I ordered were the Ar-234R conversion, the Me-262 HG1 conversion, and the He-162 A-11 conversion. Each is cast in a medium tan resin, free of any bubbles or pinholes, and very well cast. The Me-262 HG1 conversion is probably the most difficult of the bunch, using a donor Me-262 kit of your choice, some cutting needs to be done to the leading edge slats in board of the engine nacelles on both wings to accept the resin leading edges. On the canopy area, the turtle back portion of the canopy on the fuselage needs to be removed and sanded smooth, the new resin back is a bit lower for the new low drag canopy, two clear canopies are included by the way.

  Last but not least two new tail planes are direct replacements for the original plastic kit parts, these being much more swept-back than usual. As I mentioned, a lot of cutting and dry fitting are needed, especially when attaching the new leading edges, I found it fairly simple to fit them, but it took considerable time to smooth them in with automotive bondo. The canopy area was a breeze as were the new tail planes.

  My donor kit of choice was the re-boxed DML kit with a Revell logo on the box, complete with those lovely rubber tires. The kit itself is still a good one, but in the next conversion I do, the new Tamiya kit will probably get the nod.

   It’s hard to say whether this conversion represents an actual aircraft or was just a project. My references indicate the Me-262-V9 was modified for speed trials and included the low drag canopy, the references do not however indicate the leading edge and tail plane modifications. With that in mind, this conversion is a representation of the Me-262 HG1 as it might have appeared as the Me-262-V9 in those speed trials.

CONSTRUCTION

  The kit was assembled as per instructions, the only deviations are the removal of the above mentioned areas for the conversion parts. Also the gun ports and shell ejector chutes are puttied over to further decrease drag, something I would have done if I wanted to get the most out of the design. MPM made a 1/72 scale rendition of the V-9, it doesn’t have the extended leading edge or the swept back tail planes, what it does have is a color painting on the cover which gives me some idea of a camouflage scheme and markings. Looks like the early RLM 74/75/76 pattern was used along with some silver sheet metal in various locations to represent some modifications, that’s a good start. So once the colors were laid down, decals had to be made for the V numbers and serials. The leading edge assembly was only achieved after many hours of bondo, sanding and more bondo till the area was smooth and blended into the original wing and fuselage. This area will require a lot of attention, but it was not impossible to get a good-looking result.

  As per the instructions, the rest of the Me-262 was assembled, once the fuselage was joined together, the area behind the canopy was removed and the conversion part glued in place. This was an easy task, as were the addition of the tailplanes. The only problem areas are those inherent to the DML kit itself, which is why I would use the much easier to build Tamiya kit next time.

 The canopy is a well-done vacuform; two are provided which is good as my first attempt went a stray. Both canopies are very thin; I’d like to see a much thicker plastic to make assembly a bit easier. So did I use the rubber tires? Not a chance, True Detail wheels for the Me-262 are those on my conversion, but I was tempted.

PAINT & DECALS

  The color scheme is applied using Testor enamels with a liberal coat of Future wax before and after the transfers were applied. Once the Future had dried, Testors Dull Coat was finally sprayed and left to cure for a couple days while the landing gear was finished.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES

  After the smaller items were applied some weathering with chalk and pastels finished the construction; just enough to show some panel lines and break up the large areas of similar color. Not bad for a conversion and certainly more interesting than the same old Me-262 kit everyone else is doing. Step out of the box, there are a lot of interesting kits out here! Fun-O-Meter rates at a 9.5, difficulty was a 7 because of the cutting and fitting, Cool Meter says a 10. Need I say more?

CONCLUSIONS

  Thanks to Antares Models for making these kits and conversions, they are not for beginners, but well within the realm of the average to experienced builder with an eye for the unusual.

Allan Wanta

August 2003

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