Me 262 B-1a/U1 Nightfighters of NJG11

EagleCals Decals, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by James Hatch

Eagle Cals 1/32 Me 262 B Decals are available online from Squadron.com

This new release from Eagle Editions is designed to accompany, although not exclusively, the new Me 262B-1a/U1 kit from Revell, reviewed here. Of course, these will suit the earlier Trumpeter or Hasegawa kit, should you have them at all. A quick note to add here is that whilst this review looks at the 1/32 set, this specific release is also available in 1/48 and 1/72 scales, increasing your options considerably. Check out the Eagle Editions website for this and other Me 262 decal sets.

This release is packaged into a re-sealable zip-lock sleeve that contains a single, folded instructions and scheme sheet, plus two decal sheets that are printed by Cartograf. The instructions are colour-printed and the front cover shows the port-side profiles for the THREE schemes in this set. The Me 262B was never a machine that was adorned with a variety of paint jobs. Many of them were very similar with RLM76 upper surfaces that were mottled with a combination of these various colours - RLM02, RLM75, RLM81, RLM82. The undersides were painted RLM22 black, as befitting night-fighter aircraft. Despite the limited variety of options, Eagle Editions has chosen three relatively different schemes from which to choose, including a captured machine that was flown by Watson’s Whizzers after first being surrendered to the British.
The three schemes included here are:

Me 262B-1a/U1 “Red 8”, W.Nr.110305, 10./NJG11

Me 262B-1a/U1, “Red 10”, W.Nr.110635, 10./NJG11

Me 262B-1a/U1, “Ole Fruit Cake”, W.Nr.110306, Watson’s Whizzers

The last machine is quite interesting in its history, Originally operated by NJG.11 and previously identified as “Red 9” or “Red 6” (more than likely the former), this aircraft had a FuG 350Zc Naxos passive radar fitted in the rear cockpit, and the lower cannon barrels were extended. Please check references with this particular machine. The Luftwaffe surrendered this aircraft to the British as Scheswig in May 1945, where it was given the code FE-610. Applying the same scheme, this aircraft could always be modelled as it was in British hands, but you would need to sort the code yourself. Images of this aircraft in British hands will provide you some important camouflage tips for completing this under American colours.

Inside the instructions, the three profiles are given in more detail, specifically for decal placement, and decal options are given for the starboard “Red 10” where it is possible that a different style and proportional of number was applied. Another nice are the multiple W.Nr and numerical code decals that are printed slightly differently, with good to sloppy alignment, to reflect how these were applied at this late war stage.

Opening the instruction sheet up fully, you are supplied with notes for each scheme, with details as to colour application, plus historical and reference notes. On the opposite page, line drawings are supplied to indicate stencil locations. The last page of the instructions contains colour illustrations for the upper and lower surfaces, with notes for decaling. These illustrations are perhaps a little less aesthetic that the side profiles, and should be used in conjunction with photographic material for when it comes to scheme application.

TWO decals sheets are supplied, printed by Cartograf as I mentioned earlier. The first sheet contains the American markings and nose art, German codes and Werknummers, plus a full suite of stencils and various dashed walkway lines. This sheet is divided into sections for clarity so you know exactly what you need for a specific scheme.

The second sheet contains the German national markings, including swastikas. The latter are printed in two parts to as not to offend the sensibilities of at least one European country. These have the centres separate to the main outline, so that the larger portion will easily allow you to correctly place the decal.

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Decal printing is excellent, with nice glossy, solid colour that has been thinly printed. Carrier film is minimal and registration is perfect. Of course, depending on scheme, it is possible to build more than one of these machines from this set, ignoring stencil use.

A hard subject to tackle for the best of researchers, this Me 262B-1a/U1 decal set does cover a number of bases when it comes to the extra options available for some of the decals, leaving the ultimate decision to the modeller, whilst offering a rationale for their inclusion.

These schemes also represent probably the most variety in schemes for this aircraft, with one German machine with entire upper RLM76, and the other with splinter camo wings. Of course, the American option provides that unusual element to this set.

Coming from Eagle Editions, you know that the research here will have been thorough.

Highly Recommended

Thanks to Eagle Editions for the review sample

EagleCals decals are available from Eagle Editions Website

Text Copyright © 2017 by James Hatch
This Page Created on 28 March, 2017
Last updated 28 March, 2017

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