Tamiya

Me-262 Kits in 1/48 - a comparison

Product Article by Andreas 'Goggo' Gordes in 2004

 

 

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.

Click on images below to see larger images

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

Click on images below to see larger images

Photos and text © by Andreas 'Goggo' Gordes