Hobby Boss 1/48 Me-262A-1b
| KIT #: | 80375 |
| PRICE: | $32.00 SRP |
| DECALS: | Two options |
| REVIEWER: | Scott Van Aken |
| NOTES: |
| HISTORY |
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe (English: "Swallow") of Nazi Germany was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems and top-level interference kept the aircraft from operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944. Compared with Allied fighters of its day, including the British jet-powered Gloster Meteor, it was much faster and better armed. One of the most advanced aviation designs in operational use during World War II, the Me 262 was used in a variety of roles, including light bomber, reconnaissance, and even experimental night fighter versions.
Me 262 pilots claimed a total of 542 Allied kills, although higher claims are sometimes made. The Allies countered its potential effectiveness in the air by attacking the aircraft on the ground and during takeoff and landing. Engine reliability problems—from the pioneering nature of its Junkers Jumo 004 axial-flow turbojet engines, the first ones ever placed in mass production—and attacks by Allied forces on fuel supplies during the deteriorating late-war situation also reduced the effectiveness of the aircraft as a fighting force. In the end, the Me 262 had a negligible impact on the course of the war as a result of its late introduction and the consequently small numbers put in operational service.
The Me 262 was often mistaken by observers for the Gloster Meteor, the first Allied jet fighter aircraft, due to similarities in their appearance, leading to numerous friendly fire incidents on both sides. While German use of the aircraft ended with the close of the Second World War, a small number were operated by the Czechoslovak Air Force until 1951. Captured Me 262 were studied and flight tested by the major powers, and ultimately influenced the designs of a number of post-war aircraft such as the North American F-86 Sabre and Boeing B-47 Stratojet. number of aircraft have survived on static display in museums, and there have also been several privately built flying reproductions.
| THE KIT |
I do believe that Hobby Boss has surpassed Dragon in terms of
the variants they have produced of the 1/48 Me-262 with this kit. While it looks
like the standard fighter, it is a rather special one in that it is powered by
BMW 003 turbojets. That being the case, aside from the new sprue that contains
the new engines, the rest of the kit is identical to the standard single seat
variant.
The cockpit is quite nicely done with a lot of detail that includes seat, rudder pedals, control stick and instrument panel with side consoles. There is raised decal on the latter items and a decal is also provided. The cockpit assembly is a proper tub with detail on the underside, just like in the real aircraft. The nose consists of a metal nose gear well on which the gun bay is built. Not only the 30mm cannon, but also their feed belts are provided. Into this assembly fits the nose gear leg which comes with an oleo scissor (not all did) and a choice of smooth or ribbed nose wheel.
These two assemblies are to fit into the fuselage halves along with a lot of other detail that includes radio racks, oxygen bottles and other bits. This is all visible through a small removable panel. Those wishing to glue the panel closed can leave out all these bits. The tailplanes are a single piece on each side and there is a separate rudder. The gun bay doors can be posed open if one wishes. There is a three piece canopy set with the windscreen piece including the surrounding fuselage. The canopy is designed to be built open.
The main gear well is not boxed in as on the real plane it is open. There is, however, a forward and central framework that gets installed into the lower wing. The upper wing sections are in a right and left half. Though the engine nacelles have interior framing, there are no full engines, the kit supplying intake and exhaust sections. Main landing gear are well done with diamond block main tires. There are separate panels to fit on the underside of the nose section and they are there for other variations of the plane where those are different. Rocket take off units are provided as well as the new BMW engine sprues.
Instructions are pretty much the same as in other Hobby Boss
kits with Gunze paint information and well drawn construction steps. The full
color painting and markings diagram are for two planes; White 078 is in RLM
74/75/76 splinter camo and is shown on the box art. The other is coded E3+32 and
is in a rather indistinct splinter camo of RLM 81/82/76. Both schemes appear to
be based on real planes. I have seen photos of the box art plane and the E3
coded plane is one of three assigned to the engine development section of
Rechlin Test Center, though I've not seen a photo of any of these three. Decals
are nicely printed and contain full stencils, such as they are.
| CONCLUSIONS |
Yet another addition to the line-up for those who like 262s or those who like test airplanes. It is a welcome kit and another to Hobby Boss' growing 262 catalogue.
| REFERENCES |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me-262
Me-262 volume Two, J. Richard Smith and Eddie Creek, Classic Books, 1998, ISBN 0-9526867-3-2
February 2015
Thanks to me for getting this one on sale.
If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.