Revell Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4 of Major Wilhelm Herget in 1/72 Scale

The Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a/U4 was a standard Me 262 modified to carry a Mk 214 50 mm cannon in the nose.  The intention was to provide a weapon capable of destroying an American heavy bomber while remaining outside the range of the bomber formation’s defensive armament.  Two prototypes were built.  The aircraft was assigned to JV 44 and was flown operationally twice against American bomber streams on 16APR45; the cannon jammed on both flights.

Major Wilhelm “Willi” Herget began the war as a Bf 110 Zerstörer pilot and fought in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain.  He then transitioned to nightfighters.  He scored a total of 57 night victories, his best night was on 20DEC44 when he was credited with downing eight RAF bombers.  He trained to fly the Messerschmitt Me 262 and was assigned to JV 44.  He finished the war with the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and was credited with a total of 73 victories and over 700 operational sorties.  He died in Stuttgart in 1974.