Me 262 schwarm

[cph64]

I had intended to do this 'group build' of several Me 262s some time back but when Kev put on his build of the fantastic 262s in 1/144 I decided to put it on hold. Fast forward to last PlayDay when I started the Academy Me 262 I got off Howard who told me there were no tailplanes but that wasn't a problem as I had some in my spares. The box contained not only the kit parts but also sprues from other kits, an etch set, which I used for the seats, and a Yahu instrument panel which I'll use in another build as the kit part is good enough. There are painting and decal choices for 12 aircraft but you know me I have other ideas and am finishing it based on 262C-1b featured in a book I have. The cockpit was built and painted using Vallejo and Tamiya, I forgot to photograph it before closing the fuselage up. Engine nacelle and details were painted seperately and fitted once the wings were in place. The tailplanes from the spares have been fitted and I've left the raised panel lines and rivets in place to add a bit of interest.

[chriswil42]

First of many then Chris?

[Bigkev]

Nice work Chris,
You might have inspired me to restart the 1/144 line of Me262's again. I got a new airbrush and I have have some schemes I'd like to try out.
The 'Schwalbe's' are arising.

[zak]

Nice work Chris,
You might have inspired me to restart the 1/144 line of Me262's again. I got a new airbrush and I have have some schemes I'd like to try out.
The 'Schwalbe's' are arising.

Another airbrush!
Remember those we bought at Telford many years ago.
You will soon have as many as John Hunsley!

[Bigkev]

Nice work Chris,
You might have inspired me to restart the 1/144 line of Me262's again. I got a new airbrush and I have have some schemes I'd like to try out.
The 'Schwalbe's' are arising.

Another airbrush!
Remember those we bought at Telford many years ago.
You will soon have as many as John Hunsley!

Ah, I remember oh too well. As to having as many as John H, I think he's well in front.

[MSea]

Will not make any jokes about how many hair brushes you lot have       

[cph64]

The bare metal part was sprayed with Tamiya Aluminium then masked before the undersides were painted Xtracrylic RLM 76 Lichtblau. Once cured Xtracrylic RLM 82 Dunklegrun was applied followed by Vallejo RLM 81 Braunviolett. The freehand RLM 76 squiggles on the tail were applied with an AK Interactive pen. Since the photos were taken the seams on the bare aluminium have had acrylic yellow applied to represent the putty used to fill the seams.

[Bigkev]

I like the idea of using a paint pen for the 'squiggles' on the tail.

[chriswil42]

Nice Chris.

[cph64]

Decals fitted, the stencils took a while and half ofthen you can't see but I know they're there. The Hakenkreuz came in two halves so had to be fixed carefully but surprisingly the walkways went on easily even if they were a bit long. Finished as a Me 262C-1a 'Heimatsschutzer 1','Home Defence Type 1', from I/JG54. A C-1a actually flew combat missions and is credited with downing an American fighter.

[cph64]

Whilst waiting for various bits to dry etc. on the C-1a I started the VERY OLD Airfix release of the 262. Full of raised rivets, mismatched/vague/ raised or not panel lines and a multitude of 'knock out' points. This is definitely not a 'shake and make' kit. The moulds haven't stood the test of time, no wonder Airfix re-tooled it. The cockpit interior is non-exitent so I adapted a spare Heller one to fit but still couldn't get an instrument panel in. I had intended to use some better detailed spare Heller engines to replace the kit ones but these were no good as Airfix moulded part of the wing to theirs, doh!!!!! On fitting the Airfix ones I had a large gap to fill on the underside of one wing. The less said about the gaps and ill fitting elsewhere the better. I've replaced the 'Wikingschiff' bomb racks with ones from the Academy kit as the Airfix ones had no shape at all, see photo, and could have been mistaken for u/c doors. I'll also use the Academy bombs.

[zak]

The joys of old Airfix kits!

[chriswil42]

That'll keep you busy Chris.

[Bigkev]

Decals fitted, the stencils took a while and half ofthen you can't see but I know they're there. The Hakenkreuz came in two halves so had to be fixed carefully but surprisingly the walkways went on easily even if they were a bit long. Finished as a Me 262C-1a 'Heimatsschutzer 1','Home Defence Type 1', from I/JG54. A C-1a actually flew combat missions and is credited with downing an American fighter.

That looks nice Chris.
Another one to be proud of.

[Brian]

Well done Chris, I have two me262s, a tamiya and a hobby boss, at some point I will build both at the same time,well maybe.