The authors completed Me263 B-1A U1

Most of the work I did was to do with detailing an old basic kit to bring it up to the standard of the new parts supplied with the kit. The boxart on this kit is very misleading as it shows a photo of a well built superdetailed kit and bears only a passing resemblance to the supplied components. The basic kit supplied is the original single seater version which was released during the 1970's and it shows with all major components having large rivets all over. These had to go so as to match the new parts that are up to Hasegawa's current standards.I feel that Hasegawa should have retooled but understand that the economics precluded this.

Cockpit:

I started off by rescribing all panel details using an Olfa P-cutter. The various oval and round shaped access panels were scribed using Verlinden templates and a sharpened scribing tool. Once all this was completed the basic construction was started although I did not fit the wings to the fuselage yet. At the outset I intended to have the engine cowlings open, so I cut out and detailed the bulkheads and engine mounts. These were fitted at the appropriate positions in the engine cowling. While I was waiting for all this to dry I turned my attention to the cockpit.

This was built as per instructions with a lot of careful painting and dry-brushing of raised details. The seats were painted and seatbelts made from 'Micropore' surgical tape painted the correct colour. Some further details were added from stretched sprue and scrap. Once I was satisfied with the cockpit the tub was glued into the fuselage and the top was sealed off to protect the completed cockpit.