ME 262

[jjuwana]

Guys, is it true that ME262 was built like a model kit ? That there's a seam line along the fuselage ? Is the seam line also apparent on the lower fuselage ? Any pics or reference will be highly appreciated :blink:

Regards

Jahja

[screwdeck]

I was just wondering the same thing. The Tamiya 262 instructions show a panal line running down both the spine and the belly. Any pictures that I have found online are ambiguous. I am currently woring on one and am ready to preserve it unless someone can tell me otherwise.

[Cirrus75]

The Bf109 was indeed built like a kit, with the fuselage halves split vertically. This leaves a seam line on both the upper and lower fuselage after joining the halves. I have to check some references to see whether this construction method was continued with the Me-262, I do believe it was.

regards,

Richard

[gooberliberation]

http://stormbirds.net/images_markings/profile_top.jpg

http://stormbirds.net/images_markings/profile_bot.jpg

Here's a couple images. As you can see, theres a seam along most of the fuselage, a rather prominent one too. It shows in photos too(cant find any online though)

Funny thing is, 90% of models shown online have had the line removed. 262 kits ought to come with a disclaimer!

[toadwbg]

There may indeed be a seam line there, but if you can't see it in reference photos, you will probably be OK not exhibiting it.

Eh-Gawd! NOT prominantly display a panel line? Sacriladge!

[gooberliberation]

Heh whoops, I meant that it can be seen in reference photos, but i couldnt find any photos that'd show it(from above or below instead of just side views)

[screwdeck]

I was having the same problems with finding pictures from above or below. Thanks for those images from stormbirds.net..Its good to know that the line in the Tamiya instructions isn't just an isolated mistake!

[asvennevik]

Never say never, but I don't think so. The panel lines on the Me-262 were taped, puttied and sanded down, this is readily apparent from unpainted Me-262s.

This photo is by no means conclusive, but to me it looks like the seam line in question has been puttied in the same manner as other seam lines.

Anders

[kozlok]

Don't see one here.

In the front, there's on e between the gun doors, but not elsewhere

Here's one in service....Slow bandwidth server, so it may take time to load:

Edited February 12, 2006 by kozlok

[LanceB]

There are a couple of pics in the Aero Detail book that show there is a seam on the top and the bottom of the aft fuselage. The 262 was assembled very similar to the 109, as someone else has pointed out.

The thing about the 262 is that all seams were filled and sanded, so actually there should not be any visible seams on a model. However, if you decide that looks boring and leave the vertical panel lines, then you should also leave the seams along the spine and belly where the left and right fuselage halves join. In reality, though, those seams should have been slightly off dead center, as the skin halves would have met in a lap joint, not a rearend joint. But now we're picking nits...