RV3749 Messerschmitt Me-262 A-1a / U4
Messerschmitt Me-262A-1a/U4 New Parts conversion. Kit will include decals to depict aircraft when captured by US forces at the end of WWII, plus 2x options to show aircraft in US markings whilst later being evaluated.
One of Germany's "wonder weapons" that luckily did not enter service before the war's end, the Messerschmitt Me262A-1a/U4 mounted a fearsome 50mm Rheinmetall-Mauser Mk214 A cannon in its nose, designed to bring down an Allied bomber with a single shot! Only two aircraft are known to have been made and our latest "New Parts" conversion based on our 2016 New Tool depicts this early jet-age fighter in amazing detail. Depicting WkNr. 170083, this aircraft fell into US hands as Messerschmitt's Lechfeld, Germany testing facility was overrun in late-April 1945. Shortly thereafter it was over-painted with American markings and was given two names in the form of nose art before the aircraft crashed and was destroyed when attempts were made to transport it back to America for further testing and evaluation.
As such, we've included decals to enable the builder to complete one of three possible finishes for this ill-fated airframe. The model can be completed either as the standard aircraft as captured at Lechfeld Air Base, as the later re-named "Wilma Jeanne" with nose art and American "Star & Bar" markings covering the German crosses (as shown on the box art), also at Lechfeld, and the revision of name to "Happy Hunter II" with re-painted nose section whilst based at Melun-Villaroche, France.
The cannon alone will make for a very striking and distinctive display piece, but the option of three quite different marking options makes the builder's choice just that more interesting!
The Messerschmitt Me-262A Schwalbe (German: swallow) is a German twin-engine fighter-bomber with a metal structure in a low wing configuration. The Me-262 was the first combat jet in the history of aviation. The first flight with piston engines took place in 1941, and with turbojet engines on July 18, 1942. The first design of the airframe, designated P.1065, was presented in 1939 and, surprisingly, differed significantly from the final version. It was quickly decided to use oblique wings and test the airframe in flight with piston engines (Jumo210), which was successfully completed in 1941. As a result of problems with the target power unit (BMW003 engine), the first jet flight on the Me-262 took place with Junkers Jumo004 engines. Interestingly, the Me-262 was structurally ready for serial production at the end of 1942. However, his entry into the line was significantly delayed. Firstly, due to material deficiencies (especially tungsten and chrome deficiencies), which forced technological changes, secondly, because of the failure of the BMW003 engines, and third, because of Hitler's resistance to the Me-262 being a fast bomber, not a fighter. As a result of all factors, the plane entered the line only in 1944! Given the already overwhelming advantage of the Allies in the air, the shortage of fuel and trained crews of the Me-262 could not have had a major impact on the course of the war. Undoubtedly, it was technologically superior to enemy aircraft, and the loss ratio was 1: 9 in favor of the Me-262. A total of about 1,400 machines were built, but only about 300 entered service. Several development versions of this revolutionary aircraft were created: a bomber (A-2a), reconnaissance (A-1a / U3 and A-4a), day fighter (A-1a) and night fighter (B-1a / U1). Technical data (version Me-262A-1a): length: 10.6m, wingspan: 12.6m, height: 3.5m, maximum speed: 900km / h, speed of climb: 20m / s, maximum range: 1050km, ceiling maximum 11450m, armament: fixed - 4 30mm MK108 cannons, underslung - 24 R4M rockets, 55mm caliber, up to 1000 kg of bombs.
