Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe Vol II Book Review

By Michael Benolkin

Review

Kagero is a prolific publisher of great military historical references, especially in World War II military aviation. This latest release is oe of their new 3D titles and I didn't know quite what to expect when I first saw this title. This is Volume II in their Me 262 coverage and this title looks at the Me 262A-2 schnellbomber and a very in-depth look at the Me 262B-1a/U1 Nachtjaeger.

As with other titles in their aircraft monograph series, this title starts off with an operational history of these aircraft and is illustrated with black & white and color period photography. In this case, 43 pages are dedicated to the historical coverage.

Next comes the 3D section and here is where I get impressed. The artist has clearly spend time with the South African Me 262B-1a/U1 as he's developed a serious 3D digital model of the aircraft. No, you won't need glasses but the images are so vivid that they almost do pop out of the pages. The renderings start with a look at the aircraft from a variety of angles, but then the 3D model of this aircraft is shown with various panels and fairings removed to reveal details that are far clearer to see (and in full color) that photographs don't usually show. The 37 pages of these images are very well done and I especially appreciate the images that depict how the radar operator's gear appears when stowed versus when the radar is in use. Very nice indeed!

The remaining pages provide a full-color walk around of a museum two-seater in really nice condition as well as four-view color profiles of the Me 262A-2 and Me 262B-1a/U1.

When you see one of these 3D titles, you will see that the 3D model that was developed of the Nachtjaeger is even more detailed than what is usually seen in plastic and this had to be a fun project. The quality of the work will definitely be useful for my own future projects.

My sincere thanks to Kagero for this review sample!