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Hasegawa 1/72 Me262 with Flying Bomb

flyjoe180

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A very unusual combination, Hasegawa's 1/72 kit of Me262 V10 prototype V1+AE with a towed SC1000 glide bomb.
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Some background information:
In October 1944, proposals were made for towing both extra fuel and ordnance behind a Me262 in the Deichselschlepp rigid tow arrangement. The bomb or drop tank had an auxiliary wing mounted above it and was fitted with a two-wheeled take-off dolly, attached to the aircraft by a 19ft 8in (6m) hollow pole. The pole had a double joint to allow both vertical and horizontal motion. After take-off the wheels were jettisoned by exploding bolts. On reaching a target, the aircraft was put into a shallow dive, the weapon being targeted using the normal Revi sight and launched via another exploding bolt. V1+AE W.Nr 130005 was repaired after damage during an air raid at Leipheim field on 12th September 1944, and the aircraft flew the first test with a towed 500Kg bomb on 22nd October. It later tested a 1,000Kg SC1000. Messerschmitt test pilot Gerd Lindner, who conducted trials with the Deichselschlepp arrangement found that the larger bomb tended to 'porpoise' disconcertingly. On one occasion the explosive bolts failed to jettison the bomb and Lindner had to land with the bomb still attached. During another test, turning the aircraft too tightly caused the towing swivel to break away, damaging the rear fuselage. Despite this Lindner considered that with an improved wing and the addition of a vertical fin, good results could have been obtained with towed bombs. It was never used operationally.
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The kit is the basic Hasegawa Me262A-1a with extra parts. The SC1000 bomb and parasol wing structure is cast in resin, with a white metal tow bar and trolley components. There is a separate instruction sheet for the differences from the main kit:
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The main difference from the usual Me262, apart from the glide bomb, is the inclusion of RATO rockets on the underside. These are cast in metal.
 
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I started this about a week ago. The cockpit is a standard affair, the only difference being the decals are renumbered according to the alternative instructions. I spent some time studying the alternative instructions to ensure I drilled the necessary holes for the tow boom and the RATO rockets.
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Construction of the 262 is normal other than the holes and RATO rockets. There were a few gaps that required filling, for which I used Vallejo plastic and Tamiya putty, particularly for the engine nacelles.
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I found working with the resin quite easy, using a Trumpeter saw set to remove the casting blocks and wetting the surface to prevent dust when sanding. The resin bomb and trolley were assembled, and the parasol wing was cleaned up. These were all primed.

Once dry I began assembly of the SC1000 bomb tail fins. These are thin metal parts which fit into very shallow recesses in the bomb's tail.
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I filled some pock marks in the bombs nose cone with Tamiya putty. You might notice I used styrene strip for the tail fin ring. The provided metal strip just would not hold its shape, and manipulating the ring put pressure on the fragile fins which broke off or bent. After three attempts I gave up and tried this solution.

Once dry I found the replacement ring had also deformed, and one of the fins had snapped off again. I gave up on the metal parts, the rear of the bomb was heavily marked by the damage.

So I turned to another solution. I don't have photos of it, but I rummaged through an Italeri Ju88 kit and found an SC1000. I cut the tail off the resin bomb at the immediate rear of the pylon, and grafted the rear of the plastic bomb on to it. It has improved the look of the bomb. I'll update with the latest photos tomorrow, the whole thing has been primed and is currently drying.
 
I'm another who has never come across this set up. I wonder, a bomber takes off, deploys its bomb, and immediately becomes a fighter ? Not a bad idea really.
Anyway, the build is looking rather splendid Joe. Mottling in 1:72 - how long did you hold your breath for ?
 
I wonder how many flights involving this bomb towing went wrong. Take offs must have been fun and how you can tow something so small, with no means of being able to trim it out, in the vortex of two jet engines is beyond me. Looking good Joe.
 
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It didn't get to operational use, so I'm guessing it was a bit of a disaster Colin. Apparently the smaller bombs were stable enough, but the SC1000 caused the loss of at least one 262. Jet vortex/exhaust blast, not such an issue with two burning, but propeller wash would have been rather interesting! Thanks Colin
 
HI Flyjoe yes ive never heard of this either to jion the guys looks like the germans tried anything but at least they gave it a go
as has been said lovely paint sceme on the plane as well yes have fun building models like this you must have done a lot of reserch to have found this up well done sir
chrisb
 
I'll join the band of those who had no idea this existed. Looks like you're well on the way to a very unusual model.
 
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