1/48 Trimaster Me 262A-1b

by Bill Lachance

--------------------

 

This is my latest 1/48 Trimaster Me 262. I added resin rails for the R4M "Orkan" air-to-air missiles under the wings from a Verlinden set to build a Messerschmitt Me 262A-1b. Decals are from the kit, representing the aircraft on display at the National Air and Space Museum. There are excellent detail photograps in the walkaround I used: http://aircraftwalkaround.hobbyvista.com/me262/me262.htm The Trimaster kit contains many white metal and photoetched detail parts, along with brass tubing and wire. This is by no means a "shake-the-box" kit, but with dryfitting and care, a realistic replica can be built from this beautifully detailed kit.

Click on images below to see larger images

This is my favorite kit to build, and also my favorite aircraft. I have built 11 or 12 of these kits (depending whether the unmanned bomb in the Me 262 Mistel kit is counted) in various Trimaster/DML/Dragon boxings. I still have six more Trimaster Me 262s to build, and I look forward to every one.

I detailed the wheel wells, gunbay, and instrument panel using the fine wire found in the braided shield of an old audio cable. These were painted with Color of Eagles acrylic RLM 04 Yellow. The "bundles" are held together with thin strips of lead foil. Hydraulic lines in the wheel wells, gun bay, and landing gear were made from micro solder and fine wire. The connectors were painted with brass and aluminum, where appropriate. I added a cable that runs from the emergency release handle to the rear canopy. I used part of the photoetched canopy restraint, and added fine wire to it for a more realistic look.

Click on images below to see larger images

The camouflage was airbrushed freehand with Model Master enamel Luftwaffe colors. The main wheel well, gun bay, cannons, and engine intakes were painted using various shades of Alcad II. The interior of the open gun bay panels is Model Master Metalizer non-buffing aluminum, just for a different metallic shade. The cockpit is Model Master RLM 66, with details in enamel. Tires are Color of Eagles tire black.

Construction of this model took exactly one month, from August 17 to September 17. I invested approximately 80 hours into this fun build.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my work with you.

Bill

Visit my website to see other models of mine, I also build models on commission.  http://www.pix.prettyneatinc.com/

Click on images below to see larger images

Photos and text © by Bill Lachance