{"product_id":"messerschmitt-me-262-a-1a-u2-1-48-model-kit-by-hobby-boss","title":"Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a\/U2 1:48 Model Kit by Hobby Boss","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:48 scale plastic model kit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccurately represents the Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a\/U2 jet fighter prototype\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHighly detailed cockpit with realistic instrument panel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinely engraved panel lines and authentic surface detail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed twin Junkers Jumo 004 turbojet engines\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccurate tricycle landing gear with detailed wheel bays\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClear canopy parts with excellent transparency\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrecision-moulded plastic parts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetal nose gear bay included\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWaterslide decal sheet included\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIdeal for World War II aviation collections, Luftwaffe displays, or experimental aircraft diorama projects\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrand:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hobby Boss\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScale:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1:48\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a\/U2 (V056 Prototype)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Injection-moulded plastic\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSkill Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Suitable for intermediate modellers\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaint \u0026amp; Glue Required:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Yes (sold separately)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Age:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 14+\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParts:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Over 190\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetal Parts:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Metal nose gear bay\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel Length:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 221mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWingspan:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 260.6mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlastic sprues\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClear canopy parts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetal nose gear bay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWaterslide decal sheet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory of the Original Aircraft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMesserschmitt Me 262 A-1a\/U2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was an experimental development of the world's first operational jet fighter, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMe 262 Schwalbe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Created during the final stages of the Second World War, the U2 programme was intended to explore improved methods of intercepting Allied bomber formations by enhancing pilot visibility and targeting capabilities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe standard Me 262 A-1a had already revolutionised aerial combat with its two \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJunkers Jumo 004 turbojet engines\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, allowing speeds of around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e870 km\/h (540 mph)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—far faster than any Allied piston-engined fighter. Armed with four devastating \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e30mm MK 108 cannons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it was capable of destroying heavy bombers with only a few hits.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA-1a\/U2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e variant was built as a prototype, designated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eV056\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and featured a distinctive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003estepped \"greenhouse\" cockpit canopy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This redesigned cockpit greatly improved the pilot's forward and downward visibility, an important consideration when attacking tightly packed bomber formations. The modified canopy also provided valuable data for evaluating future cockpit layouts for jet aircraft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough the prototype successfully demonstrated the concept, the worsening military situation in Germany prevented further development. By the time the aircraft was tested in 1944–45, Allied bombing, material shortages, and the collapse of Germany's industrial infrastructure meant that experimental projects received little priority. As a result, the Me 262 A-1a\/U2 never entered series production.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite remaining a one-off prototype, the aircraft illustrates the rapid pace of German jet fighter development during the closing months of the war. Engineers continued to experiment with improvements in visibility, firepower, and performance, even as the conflict drew to a close.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, the Me 262 A-1a\/U2 is remembered as one of the more unusual variants of the famous Schwalbe. Its distinctive canopy and experimental nature make it a fascinating subject for aviation historians and scale modellers interested in the evolution of the world's first operational jet fighter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Snapshot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCountry:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Germany\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst Flight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1944 (Prototype)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRole:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Experimental Jet Fighter \/ Interceptor\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Messerschmitt AG\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEngines:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Two Junkers Jumo 004B turbojet engines\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrimary Armament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Four 30mm MK 108 cannons\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum Speed:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 870 km\/h (540 mph)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRange:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 1,050 km (650 miles)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNotable Feature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Experimental stepped \"greenhouse\" cockpit canopy for improved pilot visibility\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an unassembled plastic model kit. Paint, glue, and modelling tools are not included. Recommended for ages 14 and over.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SCH Models","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60065609548110,"sku":"HBB80374","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1051\/3360\/5198\/files\/HBB80374.jpg?v=1784856949","url":"https:\/\/schmodels.co.uk\/products\/messerschmitt-me-262-a-1a-u2-1-48-model-kit-by-hobby-boss","provider":"SCH Models","version":"1.0","type":"link"}