OK folks, the ribbon is loaded on the Campaign page HERE , many thanks Jessica.

Some more pics to build the library . . . . . . . .




Cheers, D

Bump - 14 enlisted now, shaping up nicely !





Notice the gaps in the engine cover panels in the second pic, most of us would cringe if our models fitted that poorly !

Cheers, D

BUMP time folks, 15 enlisted (slowly but surely we go!)






Cheers, D

I absolutely love building the 262 - my first kit and still arguably my favorite plane. Though I have a question about the campaign: would an Avia S.92 still qualify? It was the postwar version built and used by the Czechoslovak Air Force.

Hi. Personally I wouldn't have a problem with that, but ask the campaign leader to be sure. Anyone got any experience with the Hobby Boss 48th kits? Saw one quite cheap down the Lhs.

Hi Martyn.

I want this Campaign to showcase as many variants of the 262 as possible, so it would be great to see the Avia S.92 in the gallery !




Michael, I have 2 Hobby Boss kits as further options for this Campaign, hopefully I can post some pics in the next week or two. The sprues look really nice, and you are right, the price was really nice compared with the DragoTamiFujiGawaLeri superkits on the shelf !!

Up to 16 enlisted now, come on folks, start posting some pics of kits or aircraft . . . .

Cheers, D

In that case sign me up for an Avia S.92 version of the Schwalbe, maybe a what if? as well done up in Italian markings and colors as a second. Already feeling greedy about wanting to do more than one 262!

Damian,

This will be my fun project over this campaign...





I must say never saw this particular 262 made in plastic which eagers my appetite to build it
Kit will be Tamiya quarter scale.

Cheers
Pedro

That's a fantastic camo scheme Pedro, looks really challenging though!

I look forward to watching that come together, thanks for sharing.

Cheers, D

BUMP TIME . . . . 17 enlisted now, but a year until the start date so there's plenty of time to build the reference library and recruit some more builders.

I was in the LHS recently and checked out two of the 1/72 High Planes Me262 early prototype kits, very interesting versions that I would love to see built up!

Cheers, D

Some more inspiration

I am not too sure which one to do. A prototype which I have several conversions of. Or the standard operational version.Might do a B.M.W. powered version, a simple engine swap.

Another variant question - what about a Nakajima J9Y Kikka? It was the Japanese version based on German plans, but it looks a little different. However I just found one at a LHS and, it being the only one I've seen, I bought it.

Hi Martyn. I was wondering whether anybody would raise the Kikka question!
I have been thinking about that option since the stat and I'm still not sure. It was definitely inspired by the 262, but doesn't share anything other than basic layout and shape, so it really doesn't qualifiy as a variant. On the other hand, it's existence and appearance are directly and undeniably attributable to the 262.

I shall ponder some more, any thoughts from the learned contributors here are most welcome.

Cheers, D

Bump time, views keep ticking over but we are a bit light on for picture posts guys!

P.S. Still pondering the Kikka query, I love the look of it and the thought of having one built for the campaign, but still not 100% on the "variant" thing.


Cheers, D

If it doesn't work for this campaign I can use the Kikka for the First Generation Jets campaign too. I'm also planning (if I can find decals that work) for the Czechoslovakian S. 92 version and almost definitely a What if? fascist Italian 262. So any which way I have at least a couple Schwalbe variants to contribute.

The Kikka was definitely going to be a variant of the Me 262 except for the slight inconvenience of the U-boat carrying the plans and patterns being sunk en-route so all the designers had were verbal descriptions and rumours. In the end, the Kikka was quite a bit smaller than the 262, had a straight wing which folded outboard of the engines (to better hide in caves), and supplemental rockets mounted under the wing roots to make up for the less than adequately powerful engines. The prototype was flown twice, and badly damaged after the second flight when the inadequate brakes failed to stop it before it ran off the end of the runway. Shortly afterwards the war ended.

These two pictures were taken from the same distance so they show the relative size of the two aircraft. First, the Hasegawa 262:

Next, the MPM Kikka:


Perhaps we could allow a "What if the U-boat had got through" 262 wearing hinomarus?

Thanks for the comparison shots Jessica. The Kikka really looks to me like a child's interpretation of the 262. Straight wings, squared off rear fuselage profile, more angular tail.

I think that I will allow the Kikka in this campaign, and a what-if 262 in Japanese markings would certainly make a great companion for it to show what could have been.

Cheers, D

Groovy. This does leave me in a position where I have to narrow down the options I'm considering. What I have are: 1/48 Tamiya Me 262-A, 1/48 Fine Molds Nakajima J9Y Kikka and a 1/48 Hasegawa/Dragon (not sure why those are combined on the box)Me 262 B-1A Nachtjager.

Interesting that you should mention a 262 with Japanese markings, I built one several years ago. No idea where it got stored but I do have one. Now obviously the Kikka will just have its intended hinomarus. But the other two? I want to do alternate markings (as usual) and the following are possibilities: Avia S.92/Czechoslovakia, What-if? Japanese and/or What-if Regia Aeronautica/Fascist Italy. And I really like the idea of a 262 in Italian markings for some reason. Suggestions?

I have several books upon said airplane. Really love the Classic Publishers 4 volume series. It is one of my favourite planes.The swept back wings were due to the tyre design. They needed to increase the size and the option picked was to sweep back the wings. If one is building the Dragon item and wants to replace them. The nose wheel was from the late 109. Still undecided upon the version I will build.

BUMP and reference pic time folks !







Cheers, D

The main test pilot was Karl Bauer, aka test pilot's pilot. Read his bio a great book, took many risks back then which would be disallowed today. His photo is posted a few panels up from this post.

Well if we're doing prototypes how about almosts? And what ifs? Here's an example Me P.1099B (for projekt) heavy fighter using the wings, control surfaces and engines of the Me262 but with a new fuselage and later the new Heinkel jet engines.

I'm in! Gonna build this...



...if I can keep my hands off it that long!

Keith

G'day Chris.

I suppose if I am allowing the Kikka there's no reason why you can't build that Luft '46 gem. As you said it has direct lineage with the 262, and it adds to the variety interest factor. Go for it mate!

Keith, nice choice there. I've been keeping an eye out for that kit in my travels for a while now, it's one of the few 1/48 scale versions that aren't hiding in my stash. If you are really concerned that you can't hold out until the campaign starts, just send the kit to me and I will take good care of it for you.

Thanks for posting guys, anybody else got kit pics to share?

Cheers, D