The revolutionary Messerschmitt Me262 was the first jet powered plane to see service. The construction of pre-production aircraft designated Me262 A-0 started in April 1944 but the fighter production version that should have been the first version to be mass-produced was delayed because of Hitler's strict contrary orders prioritizing the deployment of fighter/bomber A-2a version. Then, in November 1944, the Me262 A-1a fighter version was finally put into production. It was equipped with four 30mm cannons in the nose to counter Allied bombers and escorting fighters. Late production planes were equipped with hooks under the nose to mount rocket launchers and with 24 R4M air-to-air rocket under the wings making the Me262 the most feared German fighter by Allied pilots.
Tamiya presents the plastic assembly kit of the Messerschmitt Me262 that was used by the Luftwaffe during the closing days of WWII. 1/48 Scale, Overall Length: 221mm, Overall Width: 264mm. The unique form of the Me262 with its engine nacelles under each wing has been accurately replicated. The 4 X 30mm cannon mounted in the nose and cockpit have been reproduced down to the finest details. Canopy and gun bay access panels can be mounted in either open or closed position. R4M air-to-air rockets with launchers to be mounted under the wings and W.Gr 21 air-to-air rocket-launchers to be assembled under the nose are part of the kit. Nose wheel well comes as a die-cast weight. A pilot figure and decals for 4 different markings are included in the kit.
Me 262 A-1a: jet speed, wartime limits
The Me 262 brought jet combat into a war still dominated by propellers. Its first successful flight using jet power came on 18 July 1942, but turning a fast prototype into a dependable operational aircraft took much longer. Engine development, bombing of German industry and the competing demands placed on the aircraft all slowed its progress. When it entered combat in 1944, its speed presented Allied pilots with a very different interception problem.
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This A-1a is the fighter version, recognisable by four 30 mm MK 108 cannon concentrated in the nose. Twin Junkers Jumo 004 engines hung beneath its swept wings, while a tricycle undercarriage gave it a distinctly modern stance. The heavy cannon armament was particularly dangerous to bombers. Tamiya also provides air-to-air rocket options, but these belong to specific configurations and should be selected with the chosen aircraft's instructions rather than fitted to every Me 262.
Speed alone could not reverse Germany's situation. Fuel shortages, inadequate supplies of parts and pilots, and attacks on airfields and transport links sharply limited operations. The US Air Force museum records that fewer than 300 of more than 1,400 aircraft built saw combat. A model of the A-1a therefore captures both a major technological change and the practical limits of introducing an immature weapon during the collapse of its supporting system.
Sources and accuracy
Tamiya 61087 original instruction manual; National Museum of the US Air Force: Messerschmitt Me 262A Schwalbe
Kit Instruction Colors
These are the kit manufacturer’s paint recommendations. Follow the exact instruction diagrams for placement, marking choices and mixes. They are separate from the historical palettes below.
Build This Aircraft
These 26 paints are listed for the 61087 Me262 A-1a. AS-23 and AS-24 with AS-5 start selected; AS-3/AS-4 and AS-17 are alternate marking colors. Follow the manual for the selected scheme.
Paints (26)
Tools and supplies (8)
Select any tools you need to add them with your paint selection.
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Historical Paint Schemes
Choose a documented aircraft or vehicle finish, then a paint system. These researched alternatives are separate from the instruction list above.
Each pack is its own shopping list. Choose one paint system; selections stay separate. Out-of-stock items remain visible but cannot be added. There is no bundle discount.
Exterior scheme colors only. Check the diagrams for pattern and placement. Interior, crew, small details and decals are not included unless a pack explicitly says so. Model paints are manufacturer-intended reproductions or labeled approximations, not independently measured exact historical matches.
Sources and accuracy
Tools for this build
Practical suggestions for assembling and finishing this kit. Buy only what you need; nothing here is added automatically.
Build basics
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Useful extras · optional
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Choose glue for the material and thinner for the paint range. A shared base type alone does not guarantee different brands can be mixed together.