The Me 266 was a project to create a long-range version of the Me 262. In order to gain the requisite range, the thirsty and unreliable jet engines were discarded and supplanted by Daimler-Benz DB 607 fuel injected, inverted-vee piston engine. In order to prevent a redesign of the undercarriage, an over wing installation was chosen, with radiators slung under the wings. The aft portion of the nacelle were extended back over the wing to house large fuel tanks, giving a range of 1300 miles without external fuel. The torque from the piston engines necessitated greater fin and rudder area, so endplate fins were added to the empenage. The Me 266A was the first production version, intended for the long-range night intruder and interdiction role. This version of the Me 266 reached a top speed of over 430 mph.
The Model: This is the HobbyBoss Me-262A in 1/72. The engines, radiator intakes, and props are from Airfix P-51Ds and are built into scratch-built nacelles. The canopy is from a P-51D, the tail has been slightly reshaped, and the end-plate fins are from the HobbyBoss He 162.