1:48 V-1

V-1 (Fieseler Fi 103) 1:48, Tamiya

An injection-molded plastic model of the German V-1 flying bomb, also designated Fieseler Fi 103, in 1:48 scale from Tamiya. This is not a conventional aircraft but an unmanned guided missile, the buzz bomb, with its characteristic pulsejet engine mounted above the fuselage. The compact kit captures the typical shape of the weapon faithfully, and the box also holds parts for the period launch and transport dolly, on which the missile can be displayed to good effect.

The real subject

The V-1 was one of the first guided missiles used in war, a German retaliation weapon of the late Second World War. It was powered by a simple pulsejet engine that gave out the typical buzzing sound from which it got the nickname buzz bomb. The missile was launched from a ground ramp or from an aircraft, flew a preset distance and then came down and exploded. Thousands of these weapons were aimed across the English Channel at targets in Great Britain in 1944 and 1945. The V-1 is regarded as the forerunner of the modern guided missile.

Building and painting tips

This is a smaller and undemanding kit, suitable as an addition to a larger diorama as well. Glue the plastic with liquid modeling cement and sand the joints back. Lay down a primer before painting; the uniform German finish on the body and the spraying around the small decals are best done with an airbrush. Setting the missile on the launch dolly supplied, with fine weathering to bring out the surface panels, looks very effective.

Who the model is for

• collectors of German wonder weapons and retaliation weapons of the late Second World War
• anyone interested in early guided missiles and the history of rocket weapons
• modelers looking for an unusual object that builds quickly
• diorama builders who can use a missile on its launch dolly

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.