Kit Previews J – O

Messerschmitt Me 163

Nazi Germany’s rocket-powered point-defense interceptor terrorized Allied bomber crews and was nearly impossible to intercept, but had volatile fuels that could kill a pilot before takeoff….

The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet preceeded the twin-engined Me 262 jet fighter into service by roughly two months, and was the original point-defense interceptor, armed with two 30mm cannon and capable of speeds up to 560 mph. The rocket-powered interceptor was fueled by a volatile mixture that was at least as dangerous to its pilots as the Komet was to Allied bomber formations. It struck fear into Allied airmens’ hearts but had limited endurance.

Messerschmitt Me 163S-1

Messerschmitt’s Me 163S was an advanced trainer for new Komet pilots, operating as a glider with its rocket engine removed…

Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a/U5

Messerschmitt’s Me 262 A-1a/U5 was a heavily armed version of an already superb cutting edge fighter with formidable firepower. Armed with six instead of the usual four Mk 108 30mm cannon, and up to 24 R4M air-to-air rockets, its sole purpose was to decimate Allied bomber formations.

Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 Nachtjager

Messerschmitt’s Me262B-1a/U1 was converted from the two-seater Me 262 trainer and fitted with FuG218 Neptun radar for service as a nightfighter. Only one nightfighter unit operated the type, and it saw combat in very limited numbers before the war’s end with less than 25 machines produced.

Messerschmitt Me 262 HG III

The HG III resulted from high-speed (Hochgeschwindigkeit) design studies to modify the Messerschmitt Me 262 to counter the next generation of Allied bombers, had WWII lasted into 1946. Modifications included moving the engines from underwing nacelles to the wing roots, and replacing the Junkers Jumo 004 engines with more powerful Heinkel HeS 011 turbojets. Wing sweep increased from 35 to 45 degrees, and a lower profile canopy was fitted.

Messerschmitt Me 263

Intended to cure the Me 163’s key defects, Messerschmitt’s Me 263 was a larger version of the rocket powered interceptor with increased fuel capacity and the prolonged endurance that went with it. Equipped with a rugged tricycle landing gear, it avoided the need for the sometimes fatal controlled crash landings of its predecessor. While it promised to be a more effective weapon for the Luftwaffe, none of the three prototypes were completed before war’s end.

Messerschmitt Me 264

Messerschmitt Me 264 by Special Hobby 1/72 scale Kit No. 72025 Cost: $30.00 Decals: One version - Luftwaffe Comments: Engraved panel lines, resin detail parts for cockpit, wheel wells, vacuform B-29-style glasshouse nose History In 1937, Messerschmitt began design...

Messerschmitt Me 410 A-3

The Messerschmitt Me410 was a re-designed version of the unsuccessful Me210, with an elongated fuselage and more powerful engines. Initially employed as nightfighter-bomber over Britain, then as a bomber-destroyer in the Mediterranean Theatre, it was not much more successful than the Me210 but at 388 mph proved an effective reconnaissance platform once converted for that role and equipped with two to three high speed cameras in its nose.

Messerschmitt P.1101

DML’s P.1101 features a complete jet engine, detailed cockpit and landing gear, engraved panel lines and four air-to-air missiles. Intended as a successor to the Luftwaffe’s Me 262, the P.1101 was still under construction when WWII ended.

Messerschmitt Bolkow BO 105

The Bo 105 is a light, twin-engine, multi-purpose utility helicopter developed by Bölkow of Stuttgart, Germany. Production began under Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB). Design work began in 1962, and it flew for the first time on February 16, 1967. Entering service in 1970, this adaptable craft remains in worldwide military and civilian service today, although production ended in 2001.

MiG-3

MiG-3 by ICM 1/48 scale Kit No. 48052 Cost: $22.00 Decals: Two versions - both Soviet Air Force (VVS) Comments: Highly detailed early WWII Soviet fighter; detailed engine and cockpit assemblies; engraved panel lines and flush rivet detail History The MiG-3 was the...

MiG-9

MiG-9 F Fargo by MPM 1/72 scale Kit No. 72052 Cost: $12.00 (retails up to $22.00) Decals: One version Comments: Limited run kit with engraved panel lines, photo etch detail, and vacuform canopy History Shortly before the end of World War II the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design...

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

The MiG-15 was an impressive, swept-wing second-generation Soviet jet fighter that entered service in the late 1940’s, and sent shock waves throughout the West when it first appeared in combat in the skies over Korea in 1950. Heavily armed with a 37mm and two 23mm cannon, it was a handful for even the American F-86 Sabre to cope with.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F

Based on technology that was over a decade old, the MiG-17 with its lethal firepower of a single 37mm and two 23mm cannon proved a dangerous adversary for American pilots in the skies over Vietnam. Small and maneuverable with the ability to turn inside more advanced aircraft like the F-4 Phantom and F-100 Super Sabre, MiG’s aging little gunfighter was quite capable of beating its competition in traditional dogfights, and would forever change the principles of U.S. fighter design.

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-17F

Replacing the MiG-15 in 1953, the MiG-17 was still in service with export customers over 20 years later. It was a deadly foe in Vietnam, ultimately triggering an overhaul of American fighter design and tactics.

MiG-21 MF

The MiG-21, initially designed as a short-range, high performance fighter, has — because of its hard-hitting armament and simple cost-effectiveness — become the most widely used jet fighter in the world. It has not only equipped the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies, but has equipped several Air Forces of the Middle East, and was also encountered by American pilots during the Vietnam War.

MiG-21 SMT Humpback

MiG-21 SMT Humpback by Fujimi 1/72 scaleKit No. 27022Cost: $15.00Decals: One versionComments: Engraved panel lines; two-piece canopy; detailed cockpit and pilot figure; under wing stores include four R-55 heat-seeking air-to-air missiles and two 490 liter drop tanks...

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23 UB

The Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23 UB (NATO reporting name “Flogger-C”) is a two-seat trainer version of the variable geometry MiG-23 fighter, the first “swing wing” aircraft built in the former Soviet Union. Although primarily a trainer, it has also been effectively employed as a strike aircraft, most notably by Cubans flying in support of Angola in its war against South Africa during the late 1980’s. Since production began in 1970 over 5,000 aircraft have been built.

MiG-25 BM

The MiG-25BM is a single-seat supersonic reconnaissance bomber designed for electronic and fire suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), mainly by punching a hole in Western radar defenses using air-to-ground missiles. It is designed to be the vanguard of any major conflict involving war with the NATO countries. It was derived from the MiG-25RB, a mach-capable single-seat reconnaissance-bomber.