Revell 03749 - 1:32 Messerschmitt Me 262A-1A/U4

Plastic model kit of the Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4 "Pulkzerstörer" jet fighter in 1:32 scale

Revell 03749 recreates a rare variant of the world's first series-produced jet fighter — the Me 262 in the A-1a/U4 version, known as the "Pulkzerstörer" (formation destroyer). Its hallmark is a powerful 50 mm MK 214 cannon set in a reworked nose, developed to destroy formations of heavy bombers with a single well-placed hit.

The model is based on Revell's proven Me 262 tooling, to which new parts have been added for the distinctive cannon nose. The kit offers a detailed cockpit, rendered Junkers Jumo 004 engines and the landing gear.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts, including new nose parts with the 50 mm MK 214 cannon
• Detailed cockpit with instrument panel
• Rendered Junkers Jumo 004 engines and landing gear
• Decal sheet to depict one of the two historic U4 prototypes
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:32
• Catalogue number: 03749
• Manufacturer: Revell
• Assembled length: approx. 33 cm; wingspan: approx. 39 cm
• Number of parts: 220
• Difficulty: intermediate/advanced

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

This is a comprehensive kit for experienced modellers. The join between the new nose parts and the rest of the fuselage deserves particular care — dry-fit the parts several times and sand the seams smooth. The cockpit is best painted and assembled before closing the fuselage halves. Greys and mottled schemes typical of Luftwaffe aircraft work well (e.g. RLM 76, 81, 82 tones); apply decals over a gloss coat and finish the model in satin or matt, emphasising the well-used character of a test aircraft with a subtle wash.

Recommended tools:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to bring out the detail

About the aircraft – Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4:

The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world's first series-produced jet fighter, in combat use from 1944. Its jet propulsion gave it speeds unattainable by the piston-engined aircraft of the day, making it a dangerous opponent for Allied bomber formations.

The A-1a/U4 was a prototype interceptor version in which the standard armament was replaced by a single 50 mm MK 214 cannon derived from an anti-tank gun. The idea was to destroy heavy bombers from beyond the range of their defensive gunners. Only two prototypes were built, and trials in the spring of 1945 did not lead to production. The best-known example, coded V083 (W.Nr. 170083), passed into American hands after the war.

Specifications of the original (Me 262A-1a/U4):

• Length: approx. 10.6 m
• Wingspan: approx. 12.6 m
• Height: approx. 3.5 m
• Take-off weight: approx. 6,400 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: two Junkers Jumo 004 B turbojets
• Top speed: approx. 870 km/h
• Range: approx. 1,050 km
• Armament (U4): 50 mm MK 214 cannon in the nose
• U4 prototypes built: 2

About the manufacturer – Revell:

Revell is one of the most recognisable model brands in the world, with roots reaching back to the 1940s; the European arm of the company operates from Germany. The brand offers a broad range of plastic model kits across many scales — aircraft, military vehicles, cars, ships and space subjects — alongside paints, glues, tools and gift sets. Revell kits are graded on a five-level difficulty scale, which makes it easy to match a kit to a modeller's experience. New releases and reissues of classic tooling appear every month. The kits are known for clear, multilingual instructions and accessible engineering, which makes the brand popular with beginners and experienced modellers alike.