For every WWII aircraft
enthusiast the Me-262 should be first choice: the general esthetics of the
aircraft, several external weapons, interesting prototypes and the many
different camouflage schemes. However I never have seen a built Me-262 in 1/48.
Probably why there has not been a good kit until Tamiya released it.
Tamiya showed us with the first
kit # 82 the Me-262 bomber A-2 with the super detailed Kettenkrad and 2
additional figures. Decals for 3 aircraft of KG51 are enclosed. If you don't
have the Kettenkrad yet, this kit is the right one for you.
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Next Tamiya released
with # 87 the long awaited fighter version A-1 with decals of Heinz Bär. In
place of the sprue with bombs there was one with rocket ordonance, a second nose
gear and rudder. 4 decal versions of JG7, EJG2 and JV44 are completed by a
black/white poster, which is a little smaller than 1/48.
Since the kit also
has good internal structures it was obvious that Tamiya would also release a
Clear Edition of the Me-262. With # 91 Tamiya offers us another superior kit.
With the exception of the Kettenkrad it is a combination of both predecessors.
In addition to this the interior of a Me-262 is included, existing of 4 fuel
tanks, compass platform, Oxygen and radio equipment. The most important are two
very detailed seperat engines, that may be built into the clear gondolas or
mounted on special engine dollies. 3 decal versions of KG(J)54,
Erprobungskommando 262 and unknown are completed by a black/white poster, this
time in 1/48.
Conclusion: The Clear Edition is
the most extensive of the three kits. If you don't build the Jumo 004 into
the262, they can be used with an Ar-234 or Ho-229. Since the access in the rear
fuselage was most times open for maintenance, the interior is a welcome detail
even if you don't build a clear model. Also the instrument panel is clear. If
the kit only had the slats extended, I would rate it for one of the best kits of
the WWII era. Hopefully Tamiya releases some other versions of this great
aircraft.
Andreas
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