Me 163B-1a "Komet"
I have been taking new photos of some of my old builds recently. I built this kit around 1990 and it was both my first (serious) 1/48 scale build and the first model that I painted using an airbrush.
Trimaster released their high tech, but expensive, Me 163B kit in 1990. I decided that the exotic nature of the aircraft justified buying one (along with the equally exotic He-162A). With their detailed cockpit, superb surface detail, both etched metal and white metal parts, these kits were far ahead of their time - they even contained etched seat belts, something unheard of at the time.
From memory it was a straightforward build, but I did add one enhancement of my own.
The kit allows for either an open or closed canopy. I decided to have both by using some scrap etched metal pieces folded over on themselves to make hinges attached to the fuselage and with a wire, cranked at each end, attached to the canopy to make the hinge pins. Unfortunately, the glue I used for the wire fogged up the canopy badly to the point where I had to aggressively cut and polish it to restore the transparency. This was the first time I had to try this, but the results were very good.
As I built this back before the internet (yes, there was such a time) I had to look up books for my research on the colour scheme. Also, paint colours were limited back then, so I mixed my own version of RLM 76 Light Blue and RLM 81 Brown-Violet using definitive reference of the time, The Official Monogram Paint Guide to German Aircraft 1935-1945.
The kit has aged reasonably well, but the fuselage decals seem to have shrunk a little over time as there is a halo effect around them.
She looks really good, Michael @michaelt! 👍 Your airbrush work was really great for a first time out! 🤩
Yes, I remember the pre-internet days well; that's when I was at my most productive, building almost every day, unhindered by endless "rabbit holes" called internet research. I even built the ancient Testors (ex-Hawk) kit of the Me-163 back then and it doesn't even come close to your results here! 👏
Nicely done Michael! You've captured very well the mottling pattern on the fuselage sides & tail. I remember seeing these Tri-Master kits on the shelf at my local hobby shops back then. Cost did prohibit me from purchasing one. I have a Dragon reissue of the Me-262 twin seat night fighter, very cool. Plan on building that soon. Congratulations on a great model, look forward to seeing more of your collection.
Excellent result, Michael!
Very well done! You captured the camouflage style very well for those dark days (pre-internet) of modeling. I am wondering what air brush you were using at that time. Mine was the Binks Wren B. I also grabbed that Monogram Guide in the 1980’s at the somewhat local Squadron Shop here in the Chicago area. I thought long and hard about buying the Trimaster He-162 and finally just took the plunge even though I do not build many Luftwaffe subjects. Again, wonderful result and thanks for posting it.
Really good airbrush work for a first attempt.
Really nice work done on this Komet, Michael @michaelt
You clearly had a good feeling on how to work with an airbush, looks amazingly good for a first try.
Looks great - thanks for sharing some "vintage" modeling!