Hello!
This is my second 1:32 Revell He 162A-2.. First one was in captured RAF
colors and for the second one I decided to build in original Luftwaffe markings..
If we take a short look to he 162's history; it is an milestone in whole
aviation history. The idea was building a second jet with simple
materials (such as wood, plywood etc.) to assist Me 262. In September 1944
RLM asked Heinkel built that jet. In 10 days, the first air tunnel tests was
conducted. Then Heinkel did a really amazing thing; the plane was ready to
fly less than in 3 months! At 6th December it made its first flight but due to
weak glue on wings, flight wasn't completed; plane landed immediately...The glue on
wings had failed. Just four days later second flight was done, but Pilot Peter
Gotthard was't lucky this time. Aileron separated from wing and plane
crashed and the pilot Gotthard lost his life.
Heinkel reduced the plane's speed to 500km/h and asked technical advisory from
Proffessor Lippisch. He added aluminium wing tips to the Salamander to make
the plane
safer. (Also, I believe they used a stronger type of glue!) After technical
improvements were done, the He 162's speed could rise up to 900km/h.
The He 162A-2 Salamander was powered by a BMW 003 jet engine and equipped with
2 x 20mm. MG 131.Its small airframe, jet engine and fire power turned it into a
great fighter. About 120 He-162s delivered to units till end of war.
The project was called 'Salamander' and many officers and Heinkel
workers called it as 'volksjager' (means people's fighter.) But the offical
name was 'Spatz' which means Sparrow..
About the kit;
Well, the only word can be told for kit is; great! The only 2 points that needed
extra attention; nose cone and landing gear. Nose cone needed some filling
and landing gear gets a bit delicate after nose weight. The panels are engraved
and nice. Cockpit details are pretty good; I believed Eduard's colored seat belts
would be enough for interior. Also I admit landing gear and jet
engine details are much better than I expected from Revell.
Construction;
The parts gone well together. Just the nose seemed to rebel a little, but Tamiya putty
tamed it. I used modelmaster RLM series; 66 for cockpit, 02 for landing gears
and wheel bays and 76/81/82 for exterior. On the engine I used Tamiya XF-16 and
tried to give it burnt a look with Tamiya smoke. The red on the jet intakes is from Gunze.
For aftermarket I added Eduard's colored seat belts (connected to the seat
with Tamiya tape) and Cutting edge's Volksjager decals (32065) I chose the
profile that belongs JG.1;t he Red 1. The black eagle in red batch was
very attractive. Before the matt coat, I applied a bit of Tamiya smoke to panel lines.
End of all, I can say it was fun to build and I liked what I have seen on my
shelf. Revell did a great job for modellers who likes Lufwaffe stuff.
By the way, I would like to pass thanks to my modeller bro Emad Tabsh for being there
when I needed.. :)
Happy modelling...
Zafer
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