ANT-41

Messerchmitt Me 262 V-1 prototype 1/48 scale kit

Product Description

The kit features 35 resin parts, 10 white metal parts, decals, 2 vacuformed canopies (one spare), comprehensive instructions. You can build the Me 262 V-1 version fitted with the Jumo 210 G piston engine only or the second version, wearing the two BMW P.3302 jet engines as well. Also, the modified tail option for this last version is included with the kit.

The Me 262 was one of the most advanced aviation designs in operational use during World War II The plane was already being developed as Projekt 1065 (P.1065) before the start of the war. Plans were first drawn up in April 1939, and the original design was very similar to the plane that eventually entered service. The progression of the original design into service was delayed greatly by technical issues involving the new jet engines. The first test flights began on 18 April 1941, with the Me 262 V1 example, bearing its Stammkennzeichen radio code letters of PC+UA. The machine flew for first time on 18 April 1941, with Fritz Wendel at the controls. Since its intended BMW 003 turbojets were not ready for fitting, a conventional Junkers Jumo 210 engine was mounted in the V1 prototype's nose, driving a propeller, to test the Me 262 V1 airframe. This was known as Me 262 V-1 stage I. This plane made 47 flights with the Jumo 210 engine, totalling 20 hours 20 minutes. When the BMW 003 engines were finally installed, the Jumo was retained for safety, which proved wise as both 003s failed during the first flight and the pilot had to land using the nose-mounted engine alone. The BMW 003s were discovered to be subject to catastrophic failure due to the propwash entering the intakes during operation and they were permanently removed from the program in favor of the relatively reliable Junkers Jumo 004. This step of the development program was known as stage II. Finally, a pair of Jumo 004 jet engines was fitted under the wings, and this final step was known as stage III.