Messerschmitt P-1111

PM

PM Models' 1/72 scale Messerschmitt P-1111 is available online at Squadron.com

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Messerschmitt P-1111 was a concept for a streamlined, swept-wing tailless interceptor. Although the concept looked futuristic, it was well within the capabilities of the German aircraft industries. Messerschmitt already had a tailless design (the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet) entering service before the end of hostilities, but the P-1111 remained on the drawing board.

As far as I am aware, PM’s 1/72 scale P-1111 is the only plastic kit available of this aircraft in any scale.

It comprises only 16 parts in grey styrene and one clear part for the canopy. Surface detail is engraved. The recessed panel lines are quite even but slightly soft. The quality of the plastic is pleasant although the slight surface texture will benefit from light sanding. This will also help tone down the overstated panel lines.

Engineering is simple. The upper fuselage and upper wings are moulded as one piece, and the lower fuselage and wings are the lower half of the sandwich. The fin is a separate part..

Unlike some of PM’s other releases, this model does include some cockpit detail. A floor, seat, control column and even rudder pedals are supplied, but the instrument panel is inexplicably missing. Enterprising modelers may wish to add a panel from the spares box as well as a rear bulkhead and some sidewall features.

There is no attempt to portray intake ducting. This is a particular problem on this model as the intakes are located on a swept-back angle at the nose of the aircraft. The result is a big empty hole from one side of the aircraft to the other. At a minimum, most modellers will want to blank off the hole with some scrap plastic along the interior centreline of the nose. If you’re looking for a real challenge you might even try to scratchbuild your own oval-shaped duct tubing!

The undercarriage detail is basic, and the main gear must be sliced apart if the gear is to be portrayed down. The resulting inside undercarriage doors are extremely thick. Also, the boxed-in undercarriage bays in the lower fuselage half feature an odd, raised hatched pattern. Personally, I think this model would look best “in flight” anyway, mounted on a perspex rod (or your mounting method of choice).

The canopy is supplied in one piece and is quite thin and clear, but lacks any moulded framing detail.

Instructions are supplied on a single folded sheet and are perfectly adequate for such a simple model. Decals are similarly simple, but one of the joys of building a hypothetical model is the opportunity to raid the spare decal box for some interesting alternative schemes!

Despite the weaknesses of this kit in the area of the intake and missing details, the fundamental shape and surface details are not bad at all.

The uniqueness of the subject and the very low price will make this an appealing project for many Luftwaffe ’46 fans.

Recommended.

Thanks to Squadron.com for the review sample