Pavla Models

1/72 Me-262 Canopy and Wheels For the Revell kit

Stock Number: Canopy V72-34, Wheels U7207

Reviewed By  Chris Smith, IPMS# 39182

MSRP: Canopy - $3.00, Wheels - $3.00 Website: www.pavlamodels.cz The ME 262's history is well known and documented so I'll leave that part alone. This build began by mistake, my mistake. I've had a project of this bird sitting on the hold pile because the canopy was distorted. Lo and behold, along comes the reviewers list and there was the canopy and a bonus wheel set I had been waiting for. I asked and I received. Imagine my surprise when I pulled out my 1/48 scale 262! So I figured since the fine folks at IPMS sent me these goodies the least I could do is get the kit and use them. A quick visit to Amazon.com, and a week later, the Revell kit was on my doorstep. The Kit I'm sure this has been reviewed elsewhere but you get a nice kit for a few bucks. The moldings are well done with recessed panel lines and sufficient detail for the scale. You get both 21 CM rockets and drop tanks. The decal sheet has two markings options. Pavla wheel set for all 1/72 Me 262/ Canopy for Revell kit The wheels are cast in grey resin with sufficient detail which is a little soft in spots. Not bad at first glance. The canopy is vacuformed and frankly not very impressive, being somewhat opaque with faint framing detail.

The build Consisting of 50 parts, not all of which are used, this kit goes together quickly. The cockpit is basic with a panel, seat and control stick. I added some Eduard pre painted seat belts. The kit canopy is a bit too flat in profile and the framing detail is almost non existent. Vacuform canopies are not my favorite to work with. In this case the Pavla part is the correct shape but loses appeal in the clarity department. I did my best to fit and mask it. I would recommend a dip in future if you use this part but I left it as is so you can see what you get. After cleaning up some minor glitches with putty on the underside and in front of windscreen, I was ready to paint. Just as I was preparing to paint, the EagleCals decal sheet appeared on the IPMS review list for the Me 262 A1-a. After checking the scale twice, I requested them for this review. Painting There are two marking options on the EagleCals sheet that determine the paint scheme used. One is for General Adolf Galland's aircfrat; the other for Major Rudi Sinner. If you have some of the reference books I have, there appears to be a conflict in the camouflage pattern Major Sinners' aircraft wore. EagleCal does a good job of explaining that he used two aircraft marked with opposite patterns. In fact his other aircraft is available on EagleCals sheet #95. I used Testor's Model Master versions of RLM 76, lichtblau for the underside and RLM 81 braunviolett and 83 lichtgrun for the topside. I sealed this with two coats of Future. EagleCals decal sheet This was my first time using EagleCals decals and I have to say I'm impressed. As printed by Cartograph, the register is perfect and the tiniest of stencils are legible. You get two full sets of stencils in case you goof up. My only gripe is the home defense band for Major Sinner's 262 is not included so I used the one from the Revell kit. Pay attention if you choose Major Sinner's aircraft, as a lot of the stencils were painted over. Everything settled right down with no silvering using only water. Conclusions Revell kit: 9 out of 10: Only because the canopy is not the right shape. All other aspects of this kit are very nice. Pavla canopy: 8 out of 10: Shape is an improvement over kit part but the lack of clarity in the part itself and the framing detail falls short of a perfect replacement part. Pavla Wheels: 8 out of 10: While I'm sure a lot of 1/72 262 kits out there might need these parts, in my opinion the Revell parts were the better choice. EagleCals decals: 10 out of 10 The decals are excellent and the painting and placement guides are very clear. References: Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings 1933-1945 Volume One K.A. Merrick with Jurgen Kiroff Classic Publications