48th scale Me 262 HG ‘Hochgeschwindigkeit’ from Amusing Hobby.
Gary Wickham reviewed Amusing Hobby ME 262HG in 48th scale last year. He did a great job on his build, so what better person to review the V-Tail kit (48A004)? See what he through in his review…
From Amusing Hobby
Kit No. #48A004
1/48th scale
Reviewed: Jan 2025
Price: $20 USD
Amusing Hobby has continued their busy schedule of expanding their Luft 46 catalogue with the release of two more “what-if” variants of the Me262 HG III. from Amazon.com
Having previously enjoyed building their initial Me262 HGIII (48A003) release, I was keen to see what the next two variants, the V-Tail (48A004) and even more radical Entwurf (48A005) involved.
In this short review, I’ll take a look at kit #48A004, which comes with the proposed V-Tail.
The Messerschmitt Me 262 HG ‘Hochgeschwindigkeit’.
In April 1941, Adolf Busemann proposed that a 35deg swept wing be fitted to the Messerschmitt Me 262. The Hochgeschwindigkeit (“high speed”) project was developed to increase the Me 262’s speed. Although it wasn’t implemented, this proposal did inspire the development of the Hochgeschwindigkeit (high-speed) project. The Me 262 V9 prototype, which was modified in 1944 with a low profile canopy known as Rennkabine (racing cabin), became the Hochgeschwindigkeit I or Me 262HG I.
The radical Hochgeschwindigkeit II proposal, which was a 35deg swept-wing aircraft with engines closer to fuselage, and a V tail, was later changed to a conventional one after wind tunnel testing showed the V-tail to be unstable. The Hochgeschwindigkeit III, or Me 262 HG III, was supposed to have a 45deg swept wing with Heinkel HeS 011 engine in the wing root. The Amusing Hobby 1 : 48 Me262HG III “V-Tail” is in the box. The Me 262 HG III is divided into two main sprues, and a smaller clear sprue. The parts count of the Me 262 HG III kit is significantly lower than other 1:48 kits by manufacturers such as Eduard or Airfix. However, this streamlined approach often results in a quicker and more straightforward build, which can be a welcome feature.
Amusing Hobby provides details for a single fictional paint scheme in the box. This paint scheme is based on the Luftwaffe’s RLM 70/81 & 81/82 colours from late war. The decal sheet has a small size and is mostly generic, as is expected for this subject. The modeller can choose from three sets of Luftwaffe unit emblems. As is common practice, the tail swastika has been broken into multiple parts to avoid censorship. As is common practice, the tail swastika is broken into multiple parts to avoid censorship.
Sprue A is common across all three boxings; however, for this V-tail kit, the standard tail parts are not used.
The recessed surface detail on the exterior skin of the aircraft is nicely done, with the rivets and panel lines being sharp. The rivets on kit 48A003 were too heavy after I washed them. The interior detailing of the cockpit, which is provided only in closed position, is very good and well-suited to 1:48 scale.
If you want to step it up, Quinta Studio does actually make a 3D decal set (QD48300) for the Amusing Hobby Me262 HGIII family, and adding this to your build will make for a quick and easy option for the cockpit interior detailing.
Sprue D is new to this boxing and contains all the parts for the V-Tail. The sprues have been tooled for maximum flexibility. This has enabled Amusing Hobby to kit many variants. The tail control surfaces, which are a combination of elevator and rear fuselage, are in the neutral position but can be moved with a little effort. The sub-assembly is then attached to the rear fuselage/wing along what looks like a natural panelline.
The clear sprue contains the low-profile canopy (known as the Rennkabine, or “racing cabin”) and a Revi 16B gun sight. It’s a pity that the canopy is only provided in the closed position; however, it does help to emphasise the streamlined look on the finished model.
Conclusion: Amusing Hobby 1:48 Me262 HG III “V Tail”
Amusing Hobby’s 1:48 Me 262 HG III “V-Tail” kit (48A004) is another intriguing addition to their growing Luft 46 lineup. This kit provides a simplified building experience, with less parts, sharp surface details and thoughtful engineering to ensure excellent fit. The inclusion of the fictional V-tail variant adds a unique twist to the already radical Hochgeschwindigkeit concept, making it a solid addition to any “what-if” collection.
While the kit lacks some options, such as an open canopy or movable control surfaces, these are minor trade-offs given the kit’s overall quality and accessibility. This kit comes with a single paint scheme that can be used as a starting point for the modeller to experiment and create alternate schemes. Whether you’re a seasoned modeller or just venturing into Luft 46 projects, the Me 262 HG III “V-Tail” is a worthwhile acquisition.
Gary Wickham