Messerschmitt Me262 A-1a/WGr.21

The Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a/WGr.21 was a distinctive variant of the world’s first operational jet fighter, fitted with Werfer-Granate 21 rocket launchers designed for use against heavy Allied bombers.

The model is based on Arma Hobby’s award-winning Me 262 A-1a kit and includes additional 3D-printed parts, allowing you to build one of the most unusual combat variants of this aircraft.

Kit contents

• 1/72 scale plastic model kit of the Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a
• high-quality decals for two marking options
• canopy and wheel masks
• photo-etched parts
• 3D-printed WGr.21 rocket launchers with mounting parts
• free code for downloading a 3D file for printing the cockpit interior yourself
• detailed assembly instruction with painting guide

Marking options included

Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a, “Green 1” of Stabsstaffel/JG 7, factory number unknown, February 1945, Rechlin. The aircraft bears the markings of the Gruppe commander (Gruppenkommandeur); at that time, the position was held by Maj. Gerhard Stamp.

Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a “Green 3,” Stabsstaffel/JG 7, factory number unknown, February 1945, Rechlin.

About the aircraft

The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world’s first series-produced jet fighter to see combat. With a top speed exceeding 850 km/h, it was virtually beyond the reach of most Allied piston-engined fighters. In the final phase of the war, it became the Luftwaffe’s most advanced weapon against the Allied strategic bombing offensive.

The unit most closely associated with the combat use of the Me 262 was Jagdgeschwader 7 “Nowotny” (JG 7) – the world’s first operational fighter wing equipped with jet aircraft. Formed in late 1944, it operated mainly against American strategic bomber formations attacking targets in Germany. Despite fuel shortages, technical problems and the enemy’s numerical superiority, JG 7 pilots achieved a significant number of aerial victories.

One attempt to increase the effectiveness of Me 262 interceptions was the use of WGr.21 (Werfer-Granate 21) rockets. This weapon was developed to break up tight formations of heavy bombers. The 21 cm rockets were fired from launchers mounted under the forward fuselage. Their purpose was to explode inside or near a bomber formation, forcing crews to manoeuvre and making a subsequent cannon attack easier.

Although this variant appeared very late and was used only in limited numbers, it remains one of the most distinctive and popular modelling versions of the famous Luftwaffe jet fighter.