This article is sort
of a 1/48 Me 262 timeline-I hope it will make a bit of sense to those modelers
who have attempted a few 262s over the years. The Monogram kit, although now
quite scarce has been with us, I think, since the early 70s. The Dragon
releases -single and 2-seat versions- came out in the early 80s, a welcomed
addition with nice detail and panel engraving that looked just right. And
then, in near perfect beat with these 10-year increments came the Tamiya
offering. Although not really any more highly detailed than Dragon, it was
'Tamiya', and offered precision engineering
and a less complicated build. As always, in modeling, the "De Gustibus non
est Dispudadem" nostrum should be applied. Our present era,
however seems to be exemplified by very rarefied personal tastes.
And that's OK, as long as one doesn't become silly.
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The Tamiya model was
built strictly straight from the box, using the kit decals. White B is an
A-2a of 1./KG51. The Monogram model was finished using Xperten Decals
ED-2A, Gelbe 3, and is an A-1a. The Dragon kit, re-released by Italeri is
an A-1a of 11./JG8-Nowatny's White 8. The markings come from a SuperScale
sheet.
The models pictured here were
built in over a space of about 5 years beginning in 1998. Luftwaffe aficionados
will readily see I've mistakenly done the cockpits on RLM 02- the interior
cockpit of White B is, however RLM 66. All 3 models were painted
topsides with ModelMaster paints. Undersides are in AeroMaster 76
Lichtblau, of which I had accumulated a stash. Topsides for White B are
Lichtgrun and Olivgrun; for White 8 Lichtgrun and Braunviolett; for Yellow 3
Olivgrun.
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The Dragon and the Tamiya kits
are straightforward builds, the only additions being Eduard harnesses. The only
remarkable thing about the Monogram is that it was built and painted in
components- wings, nacelles and fuselage- and then fitted together
in a final assembly. This, of course, took quite a bit of preparation,
especially at the nacelles. It was an experiment, but it's fun when something
more or less works! The glaring joints at wing-fuselage and underbelly
were covered with extremely thin, appropriately painted tape. Ah, well; I
had to try it!
All these models were fun in their own way, but I do wish I had a few more of
the Monograms to mess around with.
Bob
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