Messerschmitt Me 262 A-2a

Trumpeter, 1/144 scale

Reviewed by Glen Porter

Trumpeter's 1/144 Me 262 is available online from Squadron

Each scale of plastic modelling has its own level of detail with the biggest having the most; and the smallest, the least. I suppose this is common sense. However, a few years ago, some of the big manufacturers started to focus on one of the larger and under developed scales, namely 1/32. Part of the process was to increase the level of both detail and accuracy to a level never seen before. This has produced a host of new highly detailed kits plus a few new manufacturers and attracted the attention of an aging modelling population with failing eyesight.

One of the side effects of this has been detail normally seen in 1/32 scale kits coming out in 1/48 scale, 1/48 scale detail in small scale and now 1/72 scale standards creeping into 1/144. How far will it go? Will we ever see 1/144 scale kits with detailed cockpits, open canopies , dropped flaps or detail enhancing resin parts? Only time will tell but this little Me 262 A-2a from Trumpeter is well on the way there.

The Model

There are two sprues in light grey plastic with next to no flash, distortion or ejector pin marks where you don't want them.

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The main one has most of the aircraft parts, two piece fuselage, split horizontally with wings already attached to the lower half, two four piece engines, a reasonably detailed cockpit tub, tail planes, undercarriage with separate main wheels, under wing air to air rockets and their mounts and a complimentary Kettenkrad tow vehicle and link.

The upper fuselage half has part of the upper nose open for cannon bay detail that would be acceptable for 1/72 scale let alone 1/144 scale.

The second and smaller sprue has only ten parts. Two of them are the open and closed gun bay covers with appropriate detail. The other parts are for the two bombs to go under the nose.

The one-piece canopy is well shaped with detail framing but is a little thick so would be better left closed.

Decals with markings for two aircraft look to be glossy and in register with a host of stencils and two-piece swastikas.

The two aircraft represented are:

• White “Y”, of I/KG51, Autumn 1944, finished in RLM 82 and 83 Greens with a white tip to the nose and the fin. The Werknummer is 170120, but decals are not incuded for this.

• Black X of I/KG 51, 1945. This aircraft has a red nose and fin/rudder tip. Instructions call out RLM 82 and 83 with random mottles over the upper suafces, but this aircraft was actually finished in a thinly applied finish of RLM 81 Brown Violet and RLM 82 Bright Green over bare metal lower surfaces (except the steel bottom of the nose, which was painted RLM 76 Light Blue).

Although there are only four build diagrams, all parts are covered and their location pointed out. The separate paint/decal instruction sheet is okay but I wouldn't take much notice of the colours shown but rather the colour names given.

All the ingredients are there for a nice little model. All that is required is you. You'll certainly have no trouble finding space for it!

Text Copyright © 2010 by Glen Porter
Images Copyright © 2010 by Brett Green
Page Created 25 March, 2010
Last updated 26 March, 2010

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