Messerschmitt Me262A-1a, Airfix 1/72 (new tool A03088)
The Me262 was the first operational jet fighter aircraft in the history of aviation. Design work started before World War II began, but problems with engines, metallurgy and top-level interference kept the aircraft from operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944. The Me 262 was faster and more heavily armed than any Allied fighter until the very end of WW2.
Numerous kits of Me262 have been released in 1/72 scale over recent decades. Two of the oldest were released from Airfix (1960) and Revell (1963), followed by Frog (1972), Matchbox (1974), Hasegawa (1985), Revell “new”-tool (1997) Academy (2007) and the latest, new tool from Airfix (2017) reviewed here. Revell’s both kits were excellent regarding general shape authenticity. Airfix, Revell, and Frog’s old kits were crude by today’s standards – Matchbox’s was just acceptable but pretty sparse in detail. The first really good kit was released by Hasegawa, followed by an even better by Revell, 12 years later. Academy’s is also a good kit, but almost all older Me262 kits had some shape issues, especially in the nose, canopy and engine nacelles front.
Airfix’s new tool (A03088) is definitely the best of all - but not entirely faultless as we will see. It comprises 66 parts in three grey colored sprues and one clear sprue. All parts are protected in a clear nylon bag with a second smaller bag to protect the clear parts. Nice crisp moulding, mix of finely inscribed and raised panel lines, correct general shape/dimensions, very good instructions and separate full colour painting sheet are the main advantages of the kit.
The plastic is just like Airfix’s recent releases – slightly soft yet well-tooled. Panel line detail is inscribed and well done for the scale. No excess flash is apparent, especially on many of the smaller, delicate parts.
Engine and landing gear details are also very good. On the minus side there are no nose/gun details. There aren't moving or position-able control surfaces, but for an 1/72scale kit, that's no problem and with the amount of after market extras, if you want some resin control surfaces or nose guns, you will find plenty.
The fit between all the major kit components is tight and will require very little filler. Although a bit heavy in some areas, the inscribed details will look more realistic under a thin coat of primer.
Parts breakdown is conventional: one-piece lower wing to fuselage, upper main wing panels and separate engine nacelle pods.
Fuselage: General shape looks very authentic for a Me262A, with precise and refined inscribed panel lines. Rivet detail is present on the underside central fuselage and on the fin area. There is some basic internal cockpit detail moulded onto the side walls. A separate forward lower fuselage panel incorporating the nose gear bay is included. This is very practical, allowing you to add the necessary nose weight. Airfix suggest about 5gms but better to be on the safe side and add some more. There is no option to open the nose gun bay.
Main wings: Separate upper wing halves split in two horizontally and attaching to the one-piece lower wing section. There are some gaps at the underside of each wing panel where it joins to the upper wing section – both sides, so some filler will be needed. Flaps, slats and elevators are moulded in the raised position. Engine intakes and exhausts are realistically deep and have nice detail.
Rudder: The rudder is moulded separately so that you can offset it - if desired.
Cockpit: Rather basic as you get a simple seat, rudder pedals, control column and good raised instrument side console detail. No seat harness is present so you need to make some or buy after-market. A two-piece decal is provided for the main panel instruments but you may need to add some more detail and color there with a thin paint brush. A nicely detailed seated pilot figure is also included.
Canopy/Clear parts: The canopy parts are crystal clear, blemish-free and well moulded without any distortion, although they are just slightly thicker than we would have preferred (especially the prominently raised framing). The canopy is assembled from three separate pieces (windshield, middle position-able and rear section) permitting it to be posed open. A one-piece canopy is missing, as in 1/72scale scale, a multi-canopy option never looks realistic: a discernible join step is present when modelled in the closed position. The front windscreen piece is integrally moulded with a small section of the upper fuselage decking. This clever design (utilized by more & more manufacturers lately) ensures you get a great fit with no nasty join to eliminate near the “glass” and also makes much safer the gluing of the windshield in place without inducing crazing or smudging of the clear sections.
Undercarriage: Very fine detail here. The legs are refined with nice moulded detail but their simple locating holes and pins need very careful gluing as this is the weak point of many Me262 kits with heavy noses! The underside of the cockpit tub is visible in the main bay and has some nice raised detail. The nose gear bay also has decent representative detail. The weighted tyres are nicely detailed with inscribed tread pattern and separate main wheel hubs.
Tailplane: These are moulded as one piece each side with elevators in the level position.
Decals: Excellent printing quality, realistic colours and thin. The two options included are both very interesting and impressive. Instrument panel details, “Defence of the Reich” two-color tail bands and many stencils are also provided – but no swastikas.
Instructions: 10 pages – A4 size, with 38 assembly steps, two color 3D diagrams (in black/grey and red) - typical Airfix, explanatory enough with references to Humbrol paint colours. Full colour painting/decal guides included for each version supplied.
In conclusion…
The best Me262A-1a kit in 1/72scale so far. Easy to build, nice detail, authentic shape, excellent decals, affordable price - no real disadvantages. If you still have not a Me262A-1a in your collection, or you need to add a most detailed one, then do not miss this small Airfix kit.
You can order it on-line here.
