Messerschmitt Me262 variants in 1/144th

[Bigkev]

Thanks Chris,
I have now added the decals to the glossed paintwork. Once set, I will give it a quick wash to remove decal setting solution. Then it will be a final varnish coat and removing the masking off the cockpit.
Some pictures for now:-

[chriswil42]

Exquisite.

[councilman]

Fantastic airbrush skills Kevin.

[Bigkev]

Thanks chaps.
Well, this one is now finished.
Have added the D/f loop to rear fuselage, pitot tube on port wing inboard of tip tank. A light Flory wash given to upper surfaces to show aerlions , elevators, etc. Then an overall Varnish coat to seal everything in. Finally the canopy unmasked, and given the WD-40 treatment to improve clarity, followed by a buffing with a cotton bud.

Decided that this version is a Messerschmitt Me262W-1 'Seelowe' (Sea Lion)

 

[chriswil42]

A masterpiece.

[Bigkev]

Well I couldn't leave the old Me262 alone.
So my next session will be on the Me262B series. Using the Mark 1 models (Ex-Eduard) mouldings I intend to build a Me262B-1, and the proposed much later Me262B-2a version.
The B-1 will be a trainer version, with an exposed starboard engine from retrowings, and the B-2a will be made by extending the fuselage fore and aft of the cockpit for the additional fuel tanks and 'Schrage Musik' cannon behind the cockpit. Also I am going to add a 'Deichselschlepp' towed winged fuel tank.
Some pictures of the work so far.:-
Thanks for looking. 

[cph64]

Two more interesting versions of the Schwalbe. Are you having to scratchbuild the fuel trailer?

[Bigkev]

Yes, Chris I will be scratchbuilding the winged towed fuel tank.
More challenging will be getting the fuselage back together once the extension fillets have been inserted.

[chriswil42]

You're certainly cracking on with this one. You're building up quite a collection of 262s.

[Bigkev]

Thanks chaps,
I've now managed to cut the fuselage for the Me262B into three sections. Following the panel lines forward of the cockpit and to the rear where the the inserts were to be on the real aircraft.
I used a fine razor saw, trying to keep each cut as square as possible.
Once done I have added some pieces of plasticard to each cut, and the front section an additional piece to give correct length. The original aircraft was lengthened by 3ft 11 half inches. the thickness of the card equates to that.
I will shape the inserts roughly to the fuselage profile before re-joining. Using a sheet of thick Aluminum to maintain a true fuselage centre line, each section will be glued in place and taped whilst the glue dries.
Thanks for looking:-   

[cph64]

With this work you'll soon be able to try making the 3 seater, like the one I have by Special Hobby.

[zak]

As always, great meticulous work.

[chriswil42]

Great attention to detail Kevin.

[Bigkev]

Thanks for your comments chaps.
Well a bit further on, Fuselage inserts have been shaped roughly to fuselage profile inside and out. I then took the starboard fuselage parts and assembled them together taping them in place on a flat sheet of aluminum. I took care to ensure the sections lined up as best as possible, glued with Tamiya cement and left alone for 24 hours to properly dry.
Thanks for looking:-

[Bigkev]

Moving on....
The starboard fuselage has been removed from the tape, and then the extensions sanded to shape. I am pretty happy with it, but it will need some filler/Mr.Surfacer once all together.
I have also painted the cockpit assemblies, RLM 66 for the cockpit and aluminum for the under cockpit and bottom internal fuselage. These were unpainted on the real Me262's normally.
Then once dry I picked out the seats in a brown shade. Once all dry, I used a couple of coats of Kleer to give a glossy finish to the instrument panels and side consoles.
After being allowed to dry, the decals were added, cutting close to the image to remove any visible carrier film. Finally to finish I have added some seat harnesses from very thin strips of pale brown paper. These will get a minute points of silver added to suggest buckles.
Thanks for looking.