Messerschmitt Me-262 A-1a 1:48 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-5322 Review
Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20151005*
Messerschmitt Me-262 A-1a 1:48 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-5322 Review
Review and Photos by Kevin Lawton 
The Messerschmitt Me-262 is well known by many as the world’s first operational jet fighter. Development was started before the beginning of World War II as an outgrowth of the successful test flights of the world’s first jet aircraft—the Heinkel He 178. Within a week of the Invasion of Poland the Luftwaffe adopted the jet engine for an advanced fighter aircraft. The first flight of the new aircraft took place on April 18th 1941. However, the intended Jumo 003 jet engines, were not ready so the first flights were made using modified Junkers Jumo 210 piston engine mounted in the nose and driving a 3-bladed prop. When the 003 engines were finally installed, the Jumo 210 and prop were retained for safety reasons. This proved to be a good idea as both 003s failed during the first flight and the pilot had to land using the nose-mounted engine alone. The Me-262 had a top speed of 559 mph and a service ceiling of 37,565 ft. It was armed with 4 30 mm MK 108 cannon, the aircraft could also carry 24 55mm unguided air-to-air rockets, and 2 550lb bombs. By removing two of the 30mm cannon and their associated ammunition, the airframe could carry 2 1,100lb bombs (Me-262 A-2a variant). In the end, the Me 262 had a negligible impact on the course of the war as a result of its late introduction and the consequently small numbers put in operational service.
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For the Modeler: This review covers the Messerschmitt Me-262 A-1a 1:48 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-5322. Revell rates this a Skill Level 2 kit for the intermediate builder. It consists of 96 parts molded in Light Gray plastic six clear plastic parts. The clear 
parts are very clear with no significant imperfections and no ‘cloudiness’. The instructions are generally pretty good but there are some issues that are cleared up in the review. This kit features; a front gun access panel and four 30mm cannons, a detailed engine and two external bombs, standing pilot and crew figures, waterslide decals, and illustrated instructions. One of the marking and painting options in the Revell kit is the Me-262 that major Nowotny was flying Nov. 8th, 1944 – it is that aircraft that I used for this build. The completed dimensions are: •Length: 7-5/16″, Width: 2-7/8″, Height: 2¼â€.
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Covered in this Review: If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; extensive paint and finishing information; adhesive selections and applications; cockpit construction and detailing; decal preparation and application; cockpit and instrument panel detailing; nose weight consideration and implementation; using clear coats for decal application; landing gear and tire finishing; identification of the copyright script; extended historical information; interior panel finishing; clamping methods; complete crew figure painting information; canopy masking and detailing; camouflage masking and painting; decal selection, preparation, and application, and repairs; instruction errors explained; detailing the landing gear bays; instruction contact point clarifications; making a homemade C/A applicator; removing and repairing the prop rod hole; using setting solutions for great looking decals; over-coating with clear flat spray; underside construction sequence; scratch building pitot tubes, prop rods and cable stays; antennae rigging; filling and repairing gaps and seams; how to handle ejector pin marks; how to open up the hatches and bays for realism; and added detail; detailing the jet engines; avoiding the tail sitter syndrome; masking methods explained; armament detailing; extensive landing gear construction and detailing; are all fully examined in this extensive 30 page, full-color Step-by-Step review.
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