Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/48 Me 163 B decal sheet

Product # CED48259 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on May 3 2004

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for seven different 1/48 Me 163 B's.  The recommended kits for these decals is the 1/48 Trimaster/Revell Me 163 B kit.

The Me 163 Komet was a rocket engined interceptor designed for fast assent to intercept Allied bombers.  The Komet would do a quick pass at the bombers before running out of fuel and gliding back to it's airfield.  It carried 2 chemicals that mixed together to create the fuel.....producing a very dangerous aircraft.  The Komet flew through so fast through the bomber formations that the bombers turrets couldn't spin fast enough to follow the Komets as they raced through the bomber formations.

The first aircraft is a Me 163 B W.Nr. 191454 with 7./JG 400 in August 1945.  This aircraft is yellow 11.  It has a RLM 04 yellow nose and the propeller on the nose to run the electrical generator is also yellow.  The rest of the paint scheme is RLM 76 on the underside and RLM 74/75 on the top side.  The landing skid is RLM 02.  This aircraft has some rust coloured primer or possible dark camo paint along a panel line on the tail.  The topside of the wing is covered in a splinter pattern of RLM 74/75.

The second aircraft is a Me 163 B with 1./JG 400 in February 1945.  This aircraft is white 1 or possibly white 4 (both numbers are included).  The reference photo has part of the number obscured.  This Komet has a white nose and the propeller on the nose to run the electrical generator is also white.  The rest of the paint scheme is RLM 76 on the underside and RLM 74/75 on the top side.  The landing skid is RLM 76.  This aircraft has a crest on the nose, which makes this an attractive option to build a model of.  The topside of the wing is covered in a splinter pattern of RLM 74/75.  

The third aircraft is a Me 163 B flown by Lt. Hans-Ludwig Loscher with 1./JG 400 from Brandis in February 1945.  This aircraft is white 10.  It has a white nose and the propeller on the nose to run the electrical generator is also white.  The rest of the paint scheme is RLM 76 on the underside and RLM 81 Brown and RLM 83 Green on the top side.  The topside of the wing is covered in a splinter pattern of RLM 81/83.  This aircraft had a DF loop installed. 

The fourth aircraft is a Me 163 B W.Nr. 191659 with II./JG 400 in 1945.  This aircraft is yellow 15.  It has a RLM 04 yellow nose and the propeller on the nose to run the electrical generator is also yellow.  The rest of the paint scheme is RLM 76 on the underside and RLM 81 Brown and RLM 82 Light Green on the top side.  The tail is a combination of RLM 76 light blue and RLM 83 Dark Green and RLM 82 Light Green.  The topside of the wing is covered in a splinter pattern of RLM 81/83.  

The fifth aircraft is a Me 163 S 2 seat Komet captured by the Soviets and flown by TsAGI & LII test institutes in Moscow in 1945.  This aircraft is white 94.  It has a Russian Green on top and light blue on the underside....but these colours were most likely Russian colours.  There is a Red star with a white outline on the tail.  Additional Red stars are provided from modellers that choose to build the single seat Komet in Soviet markings.

The sixth aircraft is a Me 163 B with 7./JG 400 at Husim in April 1945.  This aircraft is yellow 2.  The reference photo has part of the number obscured.  This Komet has a yellow nose and the propeller on the nose to run the electrical generator is also yellow.  The rest of the paint scheme is RLM 76 on the underside and RLM 74/75 on the top side.  The landing skid is RLM 76.  The topside of the wing is covered in a splinter pattern of RLM 74/75.  This aircraft has a very attractive mottled paint scheme, which makes this an attractive option to build a model of.  

The seventh aircraft is a Me 163 BV53 with 1./JG 400.  This aircraft is white 9.  This Komet has a yellow nose and the propeller on the nose to run the electrical generator is also yellow.  The rest of the paint scheme is RLM 76 on the underside and topside of the fuselage and tiny RLM 75 mottling on the entire fuselage.  The landing skid is RLM 76.  The topside of the wing is covered in a splinter pattern of RLM 74/75.  This aircraft has a very attractive mottled paint scheme, which makes this an attractive model.  

The decals were flawlessly printed and in perfect registration and the clear carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.  The variety of paint schemes makes this sheet very attractive for anyone looking for good variety for their next Me 163.

The instructions are clear and includes 3 view drawings and an extra page of text instructions is included with a small bit of info about 5 of the planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for all the Me 163 and Luftwaffe builders.

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford