The Trimaster Me 262 is my
favorite kit of all time. While it takes patience, dryfitting, and creative
assembly sequences to build, the detail that's in the box is second to none. The
only aftermarket items I used were True Details resin wheels. I added the wiring
and hydraulic lines to the wheel wells and landing gear with fine copper wire
and micro solder. I used the kit markings to portray "V056," an
airframe used to test the aerodynamic properties of the added, non-functional,
nose antenna array. Tufts were applied to the right side of the vertical fin to
show airflow while the aircraft was in flight. I replicated these with narrow
strips of white tape. I'm still not completely satisfied with the way they look,
but they will be easy to remove when I discover a more convincing way of
depicting them.
The camouflage was
airbrushed freehand, using Model Master enamels. Separate washes, comprised of
the base color with black, were applied to the panel lines in their specific
areas. This creates a shade that is darker than the surrounding color. It is a
relative approach, rather than an absolute one that uses one dark colored wash
for all the panel lines. To my eye, a wash dark enough to show on the brown
violet areas would be much too dark for the light blue areas.
I cut the kit's
leading edge slats from the wing, and glued them in the open position. Sheet
styrene was used for the opening in the wing, and the slat's supports are short
sections of micro solder.
The method I use for masking
wheel wells and other openings is very useful for areas that don't lend
themselves well to typical masking. If you're careful with your airbrush, you
may not even need to fill the openings. It leaves a smooth, even coat of paint
right up to the edge.
Many white metal and photoetched
parts are included in this kit, along with brass tubing and wire. The radar
antennas and pitot tube are made from the kit's brass tube and wire, and the
cannons are also brass tube.
This was a fun kit, and the
second in my nightfighter project. I built three Luftwaffe Nachtjagers
simultaneously (ProModeler Ta 154, Me 262B two-seater, and this one) in 1/48. As
long as the kits use the same colors, you don't have to clean your airbrush as
often!
Bill
Visit my website to
see other models of mine, I also build models on commission. http://www.pix.prettyneatinc.com/
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