1:18 ME262 A-1a Fighter

The real subject

The Messerschmitt Me 262 went down in history as the first jet fighter committed to combat. The A-1a version was the pure fighter form: in the nose it carried four 30 mm cannon and it was powered by a pair of turbojets hung in nacelles under a slightly swept wing. The aircraft stood on nose gear, which was not usual on German fighters of the day.

The size of the model

The 1:18 scale is unusual for aircraft and, above all, large. The assembled model reaches a span of about 70 cm and a length of just under 60 cm, so allow for matching room in a display case and on the workbench. The larger format also rewards careful work in the cockpit, in the engine nacelles and in the landing gear bays, because you can really see into them.

Building and painting tips

Before gluing, rid the parts of surplus material and of the marks left by production, sand the mating surfaces and try the assembly dry. The large areas of the wings and the fuselage call for an even coat, best with an airbrush and in several light passes. Late German machines typically wear schemes built on shades of gray, where fine shading comes into its own.

• 1:18 scale, a striking format for a display case
• plastic parts; the build assumes experience with larger assemblies
• the large areas make it easier to practice shading and surface effects
• a suitable base for adding photo-etched or resin sets later

Terms of supply

Paints, glue, filler and add-on sets are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.