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dahut

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Posts posted by dahut

    Me262 Kit question

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted · Edited by dahut

    I've always wondered why they didn't include them.

    Here's a quick & simple maybe whynot,

    Imagine trying to design a mould for scale slats.

    They would be Very thin & fragile, plus you need a 'gate' to

    let the molten plastic in, which would mean they would

    be difficult to cut off the tree without damage.

    Far simpler & cheaper for the model company to

    ignore them.

    Plus, then you don't need a cutout in the leading edge

    of the upper & lower wing halves.

    Pete

    You are completely right - it is certainly easier to omit them.

    Actually, I think your explanation is probably on the mark... the makers simply do not want to be arsed with them.

    Me262 Kit question

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted · Edited by dahut

    Is every P-51 kit without separate flaps also a BIG error in your view, then?

    If they are prominent and deployed as often as not, then yes.

    Okay, the Me-262 slats could be locked closed... but they could also just as readily be open depending on the moment in time you are depicting.

    Im no Mustang expert, but if it was common to see the flaps deployed on the ground then, yeah, the option should be included. Particularly in the big money, high detail kits of today.

    Thats not a stretch.

    Me262 Kit question

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted · Edited by dahut

    I agree with you completely. I've gone through my four volumes of the Classic Publications Me 262 monograph and other references, and the overwhelming number of photographs show slats deployed when the aircraft was on the ground. One thing to remember is that the 262 was a tricycle landing gear, so when breaks were applied the nose would most likely dip down and perhaps making sure the slats were thrown forward. This also accounts for the various nose positions in which one finds the 262 after being parked. One other thing is that I came across a reference to the fact that the slats could hang up and so it may not have been uncommon for ground crew to push them in and out to make sure they moved freely. One could imagine that they were pushed in and pulled out, OK they moved freely and they were left in the out position. But the 262 is not the only aircraft given less than perfect treatment. The Bf 110 from Eduard was also produced with molded in slats. Dragon/Cyber something or other did provide optional open slats, with some cutting. Most Bf 109 kits do provide for optional open slats. But it is interesting I find that because of the sit of the 110 and 109, there is just as much probability of seeing closed slats as open.

    There are aftermarket slats, I believe for the 262, but I too find it really just odd if not "negligent" that in 1/48 the 109 can be given optional position slats but not the 262. Given the overall quality of the Tamiya Me 262, the lack of optional position slats is just wrong, IMHO. Perhaps it was the issue of four sets of slats rather than two that made them not do it, but I don't buy it.

    Well sure. Just think of the immense and even immeasurable detail kits are treated to today. Omitting the slats because they might be too complex isn't much of a dodge.

    ESCI was doing detail in 1/72, 25 years ago, that is still impressive. But we can't have slats on a new tool 1/48 Me-262?

    I'm late coming to this party; the details and nuances of the Me-262 are new to me. I don't own four distinct tomes on the thing, and have really only been aware of it.

    Microscopic detail on the matter has never been part of my repertoire. So this slat business was a revelation.

    So imagine my surprise to learn how prominent these slats were on the real thing, and that no one has ever gotten them right or offered them as an option in a kit box. I called it a BIG error in the beginning and was chided for using hyperbole. I'm thinking now I wasn't far off.

    Me262 Kit question

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted

    It is, in fact, gravity that makes them open. When aerodynamic pressure is insufficient to hold them closed, it's mean old Mr. Gravity that pulls them down (if not, then what?).

    There are lots of pics with and without the slats open on the ground, but to me it's a characteristic of the airplane that both Tamiya and HB missed the boat on....

    From what I can tell, Jennings, the Me-262 slats were counterbalanced and spring loaded. They would handily fall into the open position on the ground, barring any reason not to. But they could also be rather easily pushed back into retracted position by attendant ground crew and locked there.

    Im guessing as part of pre-flight routine, they were opened and allowed to function normally, i.e., automatically. This explains the videos Ive seen of the fully restored model and the deployed slats during pre-flight run-up.

    Its also why I asked here, among the cognoscenti.

    On a personal note, I remain mystified how a kit maker would overlook this feature, even with all the fine explanations. It is almost too prominent to miss, IMHO.

    Me262 Kit question

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted

    Alright, well... it's not a BIG error in that case. From the few things I knew, it appeared that way.

    Locks for the slats seemed the most likely thing. I was a little surprised the first time I did see it, to think the slats would remain deployed on the ground.

    Glad that's sorted. Thanks all.

    Me262 Kit question

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted

    I was recently intrigued to note the Me-262 was "slats down" when on the ground. With further research, it is obvious - it used automatic slats, which retracted only when the plane reached sufficient airspeed.

    Coming late to this realization, Im surprised to learn that even the mighty Tamiya ME-262 does not include these prominent dropped slats. Ditto for the newer Hobby Boss kit and the cranky Dragon Schwalbe left them off, as well.

    It looks like buying resin correction parts, scratch building or simply overlooking this feature are my options. Does that about sum it up?

    Tintin's Moon Tank

    in SciFi Group Build

    Posted · Edited by dahut

    I thought it was interesting that TinTin's tank carried the full complement of engineering tools: shovel, axe, sledgehammer and pickaxe. I didnt see a cable cutter, but certainly TinTin would not leave that out of his kit.

    I was also piqued to see the rotating antenna atop the searchlight thingie on the turret.

    Messerschmitt Me-262 Tamiya 1/48

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted

    And I forgot to add what a great job you've done of finishing that model. Sorry....

    Nice work. But I wonder if the color list isn't askew...

    "Xtracrylix XA1207 RLM75 Grau Violett

    Xtracrylix XA1208 RLM76 Lichtblau

    Underside

    Revell Aqua 36149 Hellblau"

    A quick search of the Net offers this information:

    "There were two official camouflage schemes specified for the Me 262.

    1. The first, or 'early scheme,' utilized the then standard colors of 74/75/76, or Grey green/grey violet/light blue.

    2. The "late-war" Me 262 camouflage scheme issued on 26 September 1944, which featured a revised splinter pattern in the late-war colors of 81/82/76, or Brown violet/bright green/light blue.

    Your Schwalbe appears to be painted in the early scheme, gray violet on the top, and sky blue ("hellblau") on the bottom. But the other top color appears to be the appropriate greenish color, and does not look much like "lichtblau" (light blue).

    Am I missing something?

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