First off, thank you so much for what you have all been doing for me! Support, teaching, guiding, critiques, and your replies have allowed me to grow with each build as well as with my personal life. I’ve learned so much.
This next build is a unusual one for me. It’s a visible Me 262, the worlds first fighter jet. I hope I can do some justice to such an iconic and historically earth shattering aircraft. I’ve only done one other visible model of which was a Monogram B-17G. As always, I will do a step by step build, I hope you enjoy following my build as much as I enjoy building this history breaking model kit jet.
A month ago, I ordered this very kit via eBay, needless to say it got lost in the mail. Oh boy. Getting upset is not part of my life anymore, especially over a model kit. I was shocked, flabbergasted, but not angry. Luckily, I had eBay and PayPal back me up and I received 100% of my funds back. Then eBay contacted me and offered me another seller with the same item I had previously purchased, this very kit. The Me 262.
I finally received the Me 262 earlier this week, while wondering about what this kit contained, I busied myself with my current, now completed build of the Tamiya 1:48 Douglas A-1J Sky Raider. I figured I’d concentrate on one thing at a time and focus my energy the the A-1. Since my accident, I’m unable to multitask at all. It’s one thing at a time for me.
Now finally with this kit, I can tell you that it has 383 pcs. on 11 spruces, metal landing gears, and PE. What’s interesting about the decals are that, if you look closely, there are several odd designs that look like symbols. It took me awhile to figure out that once you arrange these symbols, they are actually swastikas. Taking this into context, Trumpeter is sold all over the world like any other commodity. I do know living in Europe that the swastika symbol is illegal in Germany, hence the weird configuration symbol puzzle on the decal sheet.
Living in Japan for a few summers at a time to visit my grandmother, I saw swastikas all over Japanese temples. It’s a Buddhists symbol denoting the never ending circle of life. How Nazi Germany turned such a holy symbol of peace into such a hated one throughout the world is disappointing. As man can create such destruction, we also have the power to create life, love, music, and the arts. Something to think about tonight.
Well one thing I can say is, when you get back to Japan, dont forget to check out the hobby stores! Japan is modeling heaven. When the family went to Osaka last year I made sure the hobby shops were part of the itinerary. And boy was I rewarded.
I’m looking forward to this build. I’m half German (my mom is from Dortmund) and the evil acts commited by the Nazi party has cast a shadow on us Germans that will never go away. Two years ago when I went back to my ex-wife’s country, her friends asked me what I thought of Hitler. Sorry ramble over, this will be nicely done by you.
Please don’t apologize, I learn so much from you all! I love to hear stories good or bad, we can only learn from our mistakes and teach our future generations on what not to do.
Atrocities were created by man since the beginning of time, for me, by building models, I get to learn about the history and the culture of each country. A great example would be this build. If it weren’t for the Me 262, the evolution of the jet age might have been completely different. As destructive as the Me 262 was, only modelers and historians can appreciate it’s contributions to mankind. It’s what it’s used for, that’s the irony of it all.
As I mentioned above, we as man can destroy the world yet we have so much to give to it as well. I will definately enjoy this build. I’m always building American WWII aircraft. So far, I’ve only made one Tamiya 1:32 Mitsubishi A6M2b Model 21 and a Donier Arrow. I’m very excited to build this German ingenuity of a marvel.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences as well as the read and reply. I look forward to more conversations between us to share with FSM Forum Members!
Thanks JOE RIX! It definately will be fun! There is a caveat that I have come across. I thought the this model would be half clear only, this is not the case. The entire fuesalage is clear except for the wings. I didn’t expect that, not that that’s a bad thing, I just realized AB the body is out of the equation. It’ll be just the wings and possibly the tail section. I haven’t looked into it that far as of yet so it will definately be a “wait and see” situation. Thank you for everything sir!
This should be a very interesting build for you Toshi.Any thoughts on how you’re going to assemble the clear fuselage halves? My big concern since both are clear would be fogging of the clear parts. Speaking of the 262,at the airshow in Houston last year I got to see the replica 262 flying in formation with a P-51. That was an awesome sight indeed!
This looks like a great build will follow it with great intrest. Japan is were I built my first model kits as a navy brat from 1979-1982. I was a great place to live.
I’m thinking either Tamiya Extra Thin Cement, or Testors Clear. I did my Monogram 1:48 Visible B-17G with nothing but Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. I’ll need to see which one will stick.
First, I agree with the others, your 'Spad is your best yet. Loved it.
Second, I’m not 100% certain about the Testors Clear, but I think it may be for attaching parts like canopies. If that is the case, it would provide only a non agressive attachment of the surfaces, like Elmers would. For a permanent, strong bonding of the mating parts like the fuselage halves, the Tamiya Thin would indeed “melt” the surfaces together, in the manner of welding metal.
If you wanted to, you could indeed airbrush the fuselage, either one half or the whole thing. You’re quite accomplished at masking now, I think it would be well within your ability. Looking forward to seeing this one progress.
Here we have the worlds first jet fighter seat, honestly, it looks very uncomfortable but, this is 1944. Some resin parts, PE, MM Wood #4673, Tamiya Flat Earth XF-52, and a little bit of Testors Acrylic Wash Creatfx Basswood #79403, was able to give it a used look. Now hopefully I can carry over this look into the rest of the cockpit of which half, is clear styrene.
It’s my pleasure, there’s always more than just glueing two pieces of plastic together in itself. Thank you for following along, some stories may not be politically correct but, then again, like human history, it must be shared for the future generations. Thank you as always sir.
Patrick206, after careful contemplation, I completely agree with your decision, it is in my best interest to utilize Tamiya Extra Thin Cement to bond “Melt” the clear styrene halves together as oppose to the Testors Clear Cement.
Thank you for having the confidence in me in masking the fuesalage and painting the 262 halves. I think due to it’s unique nature, I will build it per Trumpeter’s direction, I think it will be a cool build in that fashion. Thanks Patrick206, your input and support are greatly appreciated and are of great value.
I think it’s cool as well, I really enjoy building kits that are visible with highly detailed interiors. At least for once as modeler’s, we get to show our handiwork.
Do you still have your Hasegawa Me 262? If you do, I sure would like to see a photo of it here. Thank you Gamera for the read and reply!
I stayed up until 2:00am finishing up on the cockpit. I just couldn’t stop, I had the history channel on, playing was the “Secret Weapons of Third Reich”. One of the topics was none other than this very aircraft, Me 262. There were lots of great footage as well as information and technical data.
So, as of 2:00am, here is the cockpit of the “Swallow”.
