Messerschmitt Me 262
Aufklärer (Recce) Conversion

Cutting Edge Modelworks

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Reviewed by Brett Green

The instructions for Cutting Edge's 1/48 scale Me 262A-1a/U3 Aufklärer  (reconnaissance) conversion state that it is "an extremely simple set to assemble". They are absolutely correct.

Although this conversion will substantially alter the appearance of your 1/48 scale Tamiya Messerschmitt Me 262A, the individuality will be quite simple to achieve. The conversion is engineered to ensure that there is no modification of kit parts required (unless you are installing the rare, centre mounted MK108 cannon).

Three parts are supplied in grey resin, three more in clear resin and one small Black Magic self-adhesive mask rounds out the set. The grey parts are the replacement nose cover and the large, streamlined bulges covering the camera bodies. These bulges are handed, so make sure that you mark them "right" and "left" before you cut them from their narrow casting blocks.

The nose has all four canon ports blanked off. It is attached to its casting block with a thin semicircular strip of resin. It will be a very simple matter to remove and clean up the nose cover, but do take care not to damage the part in the process.

The two larger clear parts are fairings for the camera windows. The windows themselves are small rectangles but the whole panels are clear. There are a few tiny imperfections inside the windows that may be visible, but these will be largely hidden once the model is buttoned up. Also, I have dipped one of the fairings in Future floor polish and it responds very well with a sparkling, crystal clear finish.

Please note that I have been advised that these clear parts were test shots, and the production-quality pieces will be photographed and reviewed upon delivery.

Four small masks are supplied in self-adhesive Black Magic material. There are two rectangular pieces to mask off the windows when the model is being painted (a thoughtful inclusion); while two circles are also supplied to place permanently inside the windows. These represent the camera lenses. Very clever!

Instructions comprise construction notes and six images in typically clear Cutting Edge fashion. By the way, this model has been engineered specifically for the Tamiya kit, so there is no guarantee that it will fit on any of the other 1/48 scale Me 262s.

Cutting Edge's 1/48 scale Me 262A-1a/U3 Aufklärer  (reconnaissance) conversion is a simple way to obtain a different appearance for your Tamiya Messerschmitt Me 262.

Recommended

Thanks to Meteor Productions for the preview pictures

Cutting Edge Modelworks accessories are available online from Meteor Productions website

Text and Images Copyright © 2002 by Brett T. Green
Page Created 04 October, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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