Airmodel 1/72 Me-262B-2 conversion

The Messerschmitt Me 262 B-2 represented one of the more intriguing developments of the revolutionary Me 262. Intended as a dedicated two-seat night fighter, the B-2 was designed to combine the tremendous speed of the jet with the endurance required for night interception. Although the project came far too late to have any real impact on the war, the B-2 remains one of those fascinating Luftwaffe “what-if” subjects that has always attracted modellers.

Airmodel Products has surprised us many times in the past with unusual subjects, interesting conversions and products covering aircraft that would otherwise be very difficult to reproduce in scale. Their AM-112 is a conversion set designed for the Heller 1/72 two-seat Me 262, allowing the modeller to transform it into a B-2 Nachtjäger. Interestingly, the set provides two alternative fuselage sections, allowing either the sharp-nosed or the bulbous-nosed version to be built.

The two fuselage sections are produced in fairly thick vacuum-formed styrene and are surprisingly nicely done. The surface detail is good, with neatly represented panel lines, while two vacuum-formed canopies are also provided. My particular example had acquired a slight yellowish tint with age, but this is hardly a concern and should not be representative of a fresh set. The transparencies are otherwise nicely formed.

As this is a conversion rather than a complete kit, the Heller Me 262 B is required as the donor. The modeller has to carefully remove the appropriate sections of the Heller fuselage and combine them with the Airmodel parts, while the cockpit and other components are taken from the Heller kit. The latter can of course be improved with additional detailing if desired. No decals are supplied, so suitable markings will have to be sourced from the Heller kit, the spares box or an aftermarket sheet.

Construction is quite straightforward for a vacuum-formed conversion, although careful cutting, test fitting and some filling and sanding will naturally be required. The parts are well designed and, with a little patience, the modeller should have no great difficulty producing a convincing result. 

I was actually quite surprised to discover that even today there appears to be no straightforward alternative for building a Me 262 B-2 in 1/72 scale. At around €8, this is an excellent little conversion and, in my opinion, a very fair deal. It is simple, useful and opens the door to a genuinely unusual version of the Me 262. Airmodel deserves congratulations for producing such an interesting conversion and for giving 1/72 modellers the opportunity to add this fascinating Nachtjäger to their collection.

Spiros Pendedekas

November 2026

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