First jet trainers - A pair of Me 262B-1a two-seaters

[Mig88]

Hello everyone!

Here are the other two of four Me 262 kits I finished right at last year's end (10 minutes before midnight!). Both are Me 262B-1a trainer variants from the Mark I Models 1:144 reboxing of the Eduard kit.

 

Both kits were built very much OOB with only the wing pitot, underside IFF aerial and the radio mast and wire added from stretched sprue. The FuG 16ZY Morane mast and the spine loop antenna came with the etched fret in the kit although the instructions fail to mention the former. The painting instructions show a rearward-pointing aerial under the tail. This is a mistake as this was only present on the nightfighters. Both kits were fully painted and varnished by brush but were barely weathered at all as both machines were new.

 

Firstly then, Messerschmitt Me 262B-1a V15 (ex S5) VI+AJ (W.Nr. 130010), with Blohm und Voss, responsible for the conversion, at Wenzendorf Air Base, Luftwaffe, Germany, July 1944. This was the prototype of the B-series and can be considered the first jet trainer. I didn't find any photos or profiles of this one except after being repainted on entering service with KG(J)54. Mark I suggests RLM83 Dunkelgrün for the darker colour of the top surfaces but I disagree. The change to the new green tones was stipulated at around this time so this machine must have still been in the previous grey 74/75/76 scheme as other early Me 262s were in this period. When I finished the kit, I realized that this one didn't sit on its nose leg at all, so I had to glue it to a base. Interestingly, the other one does, apparently thanks to the drop tanks! I decided to do this one with the racks but without them.

 

 

Secondly, Messerschmitt Me 262B-1a B3+SH (W.Nr. 170075), of 1./KG(J)54, Luftwaffe, at Giebelstadt Air Base, Luftwaffe, Germany, November 1944.. KG54 'Totenkopf' ended its career as a bomber unit in August 1944 and was reformed as a fighter unit, hence the "(J)", in October, converting to the Me 262. Its career wasn't very illustrious. Although it scored several kills, mostly of US bombers, the inexperience of its pilots in fighter combat saw many shot down by Allied fighters. This must have been one of the first machines delivered to the unit together with other two-seaters. Only about 15 trainers were built in total.

 

 

"So this is what we are going to fly now!"

 

Thank you for looking and all comments are welcome.
Miguel

[Johnson]

Awesome! 

[Sky Keg]

I continue to be impressed with your works Miguel.  These are incredibly well detailed in such a small scale.  I like it.  

 

Mike

[Dave Klaatu]

Another pair of beauties!

[AlxBNE]

Teeny tiny perfection.

Bravo.

[Mig88]

13 hours ago, Johnson said:

Awesome! 

 

8 hours ago, Sky Keg said:

I continue to be impressed with your works Miguel.  These are incredibly well detailed in such a small scale.  I like it.  

 

Mike

 

8 hours ago, Dave Klaatu said:

Another pair of beauties!

 

2 hours ago, AlxBNE said:

Teeny tiny perfection.

Bravo.

 

A big thanks to all for your comments and praise!

Miguel

[MACALAIN]

Well done Miguel

 

Alain

[georgeusa]

I just finished being amazed at your other two 262s and find this trainer pair done to the same high level and finish.  You got talent.  Do you ever attempt to do larger scale kits?  Just curious.  Thanks for sharing this pair too.

[Pete in Lincs]

Both pairs are miniature art. Very well done, Miguel.

[Mig88]

On 06/01/2025 at 19:43, georgeusa said:

I just finished being amazed at your other two 262s and find this trainer pair done to the same high level and finish.  You got talent.  Do you ever attempt to do larger scale kits?  Just curious.  Thanks for sharing this pair too.

For many years I did mostly 1:72 kits but for matters of space I have turned more towards 1:144. I still have many 1:72 kits in my stash and last year I built two, one of them for the "South of Rio Grande GB" here in the forum. I am currently cross-kitting an MPM and a Revell kit in 1:72 to make an Me 262A-2a/U2 nose-glazed bomber variant.

 

On 06/01/2025 at 15:50, MACALAIN said:

Well done Miguel

 

Alain

 

On 06/01/2025 at 19:51, Pete in Lincs said:

Both pairs are miniature art. Very well done, Miguel.

Thank you very much to all

Miguel