The first one to clear my bench for 2013…Hobby Boss’ excellent Me 262A-1a/U4 (the variant with the 50mm autocannon in the nose). The kit goes together wonderfully, with solid detail and super, near-Tamiya-like fit. In fact from what I understand it is heavily inspired by Tamiya’s production design (or rather, Trumpeter’s 1/32 262s are…and this is a downscale of those). Whatever, I don’t care - the only other U4 option out there is that nasty old Dragon kit, and this one beats it down hard.
There weren’t many U4s so markings are very limited. I went with VO83 after its seizure by American forces at Augsburg. There was painted over with American markings and given the name “Wilma Jeanne” after Col. Harold Watson’s wife. They were apparently rather impressed with the cannon’s recoil mechanism, which on the ground range handled so well that the plane itself barely moved. Ultimately it suffered an engine failure on a ferry flight to France and the pilot (Messerschmitt test pilot Ludwig Hofmann) had to bail out, breaking a leg on the landing.
Aftermarket was relatively light. Aires wheels, Eduard PE and Master brass for the nose 50mm (note - same gun as the Me 410). Paints used were a Tamiya mix for the RLM 76 on the bottom, and Gunze RLM 81/83 and C12 Olive Drab up top.
I’m not really big into them Nazi planes but that one sure does look purty! Great job! It’s gorgeous builds like this that inspires me to try something new.
Matt, that’s a great looking model! The Me-262 is my all-time favorite aircraft, both for its aesthetics and historical impact, and the old Monogram 1/48 version is the only one I’ve got. I simply must build another before I’m done. My daughter-in-law gave me a copy of “Watson’s Whizzers” by retired Colonel Wolfgang Samuel, signed by the author, after a trip to Washington D.C. last year. There’s a photo of Wilma Jeanne on the cover. The plane had been renamed Happy Hunter when it was lost and there’s a good story detailing the crash. Its 50m cannon was recovered and is on display at the Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson. But, then again, I imagine you have this book as well?If not, I highly recommend it.
Your paint work is superb, as usual and the panel lines look great! You are a master modeler, no doubt. [:D[Which do do recommend, this version or the Tamiya kit? I think your build has inspired me to buy one or both.
Well Tamiya only makes the straight-up A-1a and A-2a, and for just those basic versions is probably the one I’d recommend. But Hobby Boss does several of the crazy variants - the U4, U5 (the one with six 30s), etc.
They aren’t doing 262Bs (yet).
But if you really want to go big on a 262, get the Trumpeter 1/32! I recently scored both the A-1a with the R4M rockets and the B-1a nightfighter kits and they are marvelous.
I’ve never been a big fan of the 50mm sticking out of the nose, just breaks up the clean lines too much. BUT!! You’ve done a fabulous job on this one Matt, the mottling / overpainting & various finishing looks spot-on.
Good to know that, was thinking the same thing (which 1/48 262 would you recommend). Your Swallow turned out great. Interesting subject seeing the “stars/stripes” on one of those, makes you look again!
So did you paint the bird first as it’s Luft version, then go back over that with the OD to “US” it up? Save any pics of the “pre” OD?
The OD is only on the tail swastikas and the national insignias on the wings and fuselage. So three of them are more or less obscured by the USAAF insignias.
Reason I added them later was to keep them fresher than the more weathered rest of the plane. I know a prototype wouldn’t strike one as battered-looking, but all the pics I have show Wilma Jeanne not exactly shiny and freshly waxed. I’m going to guess function mattered a lot more than looks…
Rumor has it the Collings Foundation will have a 262 making the rounds on their Wings Of Freedom tour this year. They hit my town every year. Hoping to see that.
