Messerschmitt
Me 262A-2a

Tamiya

Tamiya's 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Me 262A-2a be ordered online from Squadron.com

Reviewed by Brett Green

Tamiya's latest release is the first all-new 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Me 262 to hit the market in XX years. The first variant is the Me 262A-2a fighter/bomber version with two 30mm MK108 cannon in the nose. I believe this is the first time that this particular variant has been available in kit form. The Me 262A-2a was also observed with four MK108 cannon, but this option is not offered in the kit.

Me 262A-2a In The Box

Tamiya's 1/48 scale Me 262A-2a comprises XX parts in grey styrene, XX parts in clear styrene and one white metal piece for the forward landing gear bay that doubles as a hefty noseweight.

The contents of this box reinforce Tamiya's reputation for superb detail, intelligent engineering and simple construction.

Exterior surfaces feature crisply engraved panel lines, while interior surfaces display comprehensive raised structural detail. This is especially important inside the fuselage, which is almost completely exposed above the open main undercarriage bay. The purpose of the structural detail inside the engine nacelles (and the large locating holes) is less obvious, but I suspect that we might see a "clear plastic" version of the kit with visible Jumo 004s in the future.

The cockpit is well detailed in the usual Tamiya style, with blank instrument faces for decal dials, and a decal harness for the seat. The cockpit tub includes exterior detail for the forward and rear bulkheads plus prominent actuator rods. The cannon bay is simple in breakdown but equally well detailed. Four shell ejector ports are supplied on two separate inserts for the lower nose. The upper and lower joins for these inserts should be filled and sanded as they do not fall on natural panel lines.

The nose gear bay is a white metal part. This will ensure that no additional weight is required to prevent the model becoming a tail-sitter. One of the options is alternative nose wheels - one smooth and one with a radial tread.

Wings are supplied as a full-span lower section, and separate parts for the upper right and left halves. Flaps and slats are moulded in the closed (up) position. Horizontal tail surfaces are keyed, ensuring positive fit, and another nice touch is the inclusion of separate, delicate trim tab actuators on the elevators.

Two 250kg bombs and two styles of bombracks are also included. Another little surprise is the optional Rocket Assisted Take-Off pods for the lower fuselage. A further option is the choice of open or closed cannon access hatches. The open option supplies a single part with both hatches fixed up, and two separate supporting struts.

The windscreen is cleverly engineered to include a section of the forward upper fuselage deck. The vertical and horizontal joins both fall on panel lines. Furthermore, the internal armoured glass is a separate part that is glued to a locating pin under the front deck section. This will minimise the risk of messing up the windscreen with glue spots. The opening centre section of the canopy is similarly thoughtful. Two tabs are attached to the starboard side of the canopy to secure it in the open position. These tabs should be removed if the canopy is to be displayed closed.

Instructions are called out over 16 illustrated steps. Colour suggestions seem to be reasonable, however the interior of the cannon hatches were RLM 02 Grey on some Me 262s, not bare-metal silver as noted in the instructions.

Markings are supplied for three Stormbirds of KG 51. I was especially pleased that the narrow borders for the nose and fin caps were supplied in decal form. This will save a tricky masking job.

But wait - there's more!

Sd.Kfz. 2 Kleines Kettenkraftrad In The Box

In addition to the aircraft, Tamiya includes a 1/48 scale Sd.Kfz. 2 Kleines Kettenkraftrad. This was a general purpose tracked motorcycle that was sometimes used to tow various aircraft on the airfield. Considering the short life of the Me 262 engines, it is reasonable to expect that the Stormbird would be towed more frequently than propeller-driven aircraft. The Kettenkraftrad comprises only 29 additional parts in grey styrene.

The parts breakdown is extremely simple for this little tractor. The drive sprocket, idler wheel and centre road wheels are moulded in the centre of the tracks in a clever, single part for each side. Two additional roadwheels are added to the left and right sides to complete a simple but convincing set of running gear. In a similar feat of simplicity, the front wheel is moulded with the mudguard, number plate and Notek light in place.

This simple engineering has not compromised the crisp surface detail. Even the fabric textures of the rear seat and the folded cover are well communicated.

The towbar does not require glue, enabling the Kettenkraftrad to be positioned or removed at the modeller's whim.

Three figures complete the package. One is a standard Tamiya-style pilot with headgear seated in the flying position. The second figure is also a seated pilot. However, this chap is holding the canopy open with one hand, with his other arm resting on the canopy sill while he leans his head out of the cockpit. The final figure compliments this taxiing pilot as the driver of the Kettenkraftrad, looking back over his shoulder to the towed Stormbird.

Review and Images Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 15 April, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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