About the Messerschmitt Me262 A-2a
The Me262 A-2a was the fighter/bomber version of the Me262. When Allied bombing raids on the German homeland were rapidly intensifying, the Luftwaffe proposed the hastened deployment of the revolutionary Me262 A-1a jet fighter/interceptor. However, Hitler issued strict contrary orders prioritizing the deployment of the A-2a fighter/bomber version of the Me262.

In June 1944, deployment of the A-2a fighter/bomber began. The A-2a was equipped with only two 30mm MK108 guns (compared to the A-1a's four guns) but had an extra fuel tank in the rear part of its fuselage and could carry up to a 1-ton payload of bombs. The Me262 A-2a would see active service up till the end of World War II.

About the Model

• Tamiya presents a scale model of the German Airforce's (Luftwaffe's) Me262 A-2a Fighter/Bomber jet.
• 1/48 scale, total height: 221mm, total width: 264mm.
• Form of the Me262, with its swept-back wings and attached engine pods has been faithfully recreated in this model.
• Details of the cockpit and 30mm cannons have also been accurately portrayed. Canopy and cannon covers can be assembled opened or closed.
• Two types of bomb racks are available for assembly. Replicas of two 250-pound bombs and two take-off assistance booster rockets have been provided in kit.
• Front landing gear bay has been made of die-cast aluminium and is weighted for balance.
• Kit features 1/48 scale Kettenkraftrad towing vehicle.
• Three pilot and ground crew figures included. Kit also features decals for recreation of three different planes.

About the Kettenkraftrad
The German Army produced a unique half-track motorcycle deployed to the front lines and known as the NSU Kettenkraftrad. Originally intended to be used by airborne units, this vehicle went into production on a massive scale and was used for a variety of functions such as providing a power source, as well as for transportation, communications, and towing.

One of the Kettenkraftrad's highlight features was its three forward gears and one reverse gear, which each had high/low gears, permitting the half-track to take on rugged terrain. Due to fuel shortages at the end of the war, the Me262 was restricted from self-propelled ground movement when positioning for take-off. As such, the Kettenkraftrad and other ground vehicles were used to pull the Me262 to the runway.

About the Model

• 1/48 scale, total length: 65mm, total height: 21mm.
• Authentic scale model of the unique Kettenkraftrad ground vehicle. Front wheel and caterpillar tracks crisply recreated without sparing the slightest detail.