Once more, a model for which I have run out of things to say about it. After having done a number of previews and kit reviews, new stuff is tough to find. Perhaps I should spend some time talking about this particular kit. ProModeler is really nothing more than a Revell or Monogram kit in a different box, with different decals and a much better instruction sheet. Those who can find the regular Revell of Germany 1/72 Me-262 will find the same plastic as in this kit. However, the Revell kit has worse decals and instructions, and, no swastika as the Germans are a bit squeamish about it.

This is probably the best 1/72 Me-262 on the market. The Hasegawa kit is very good, but many of us feel that the details on the kit are overdone. Not that these are the only Me-262 kits around. There is a rather basic kit from Jo-Han that isn't too bad and can be built as either a single or twin seater. The Heller 262B is still a very nice model, despite its raised panel lines. The Airfix kit looks like a 262A....sort of. I'd stay away from it. I don't recall if Matchbox makes a 262, but if so, I'd give it to your kid as it will build easily but be extremely basic. There are also several variants of the 262 made by MPM and by High Planes. These short run kits will be a real challenge to your modeling skills, but offer versions that are not done by the mainstream companies. There are also a number of resin kits out there that are offered from time to time.

As you can see from the sprues, this kit is rather well engineered and the detailing is very well done as you can see from the smaller image to the left. Options are the undernose bomb racks on which you can install either the 21 CM rockets or twin drop tanks. If doing a bomber version, you may want to rob your spares box for a couple of bombs to put there. Not supplied are the R4M rockets and wing racks, however, though quite successful, these were only used in the closing weeks of the war. As you can see from the cockpit section, there is a 262B two seater made, however you'll have to get the Revell of Germany version for that as ProModeler does not box that version.

The instructions are superb and include a number of photos of the real plane in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum at Washington, DC. There are decals for two units that flew the 262A. The one on the box art is  III./JG 7 in an RLM 81/82 over RLM 76 late war scheme. This aircraft is shown carrying the twin 21CM rockets. These were a huge failure. Their erratic trajectory made them problematic at best. The other 262 is from 7./KG(J) 54. This 262 is in RLM 82 uppers with RLM 76 lowers and lots of RLM 81 mottling. The instructions call RLM 82 a dark green, but I believe that it has been determined to actually be a much brighter green. The dark green is RLM 83. To keep from being confused by these late war colors, just look for either RLM 82 or 83 and pick the darker of the two shades! Anyway, the decals look to be superb. They are well printed and have a full stencil suite. The instructions show where these smaller markings go. 

If you can't stand to do this out of the box, there are a number of aftermarket decal sheets and detail/resin sets for this kit.

Though I have not built this kit, several others I know have and they all rave about how good it is. On that note and judging from the overall quality of the kit, I can suggest that you go out and buy one (or the cheaper Revell of Germany version).

Review kit courtesy of me and my wallet!

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