Like all of Tamiya's latest releases, this kit comes molded in a medium grey plastic, of a medium density. The entire model is covered in finely engraved panel lines with only a light application of rivet and fastener heads represented. A reasonably detailed engine is included, and it is viewable through a removable access panel on top of the wing.

As with all of my models, I started with the cockpit. The detail level is quite nice and more than adiquaete for 95% of the modelers out there. I assembled all but the instrument panel and pilot's seat before airbrushing everything with British Interior (Pale, or Pea) Green. The panel was painted black, and everything assembled smoothly. Typical for most of my models, I felt this one could use some seatbelts, I however chose to install Tamiya's standard (and nice looking) pilot instead. Follow the instructions on this kit, as I would never have thought a major manufacturer would tell you to build the fuselage first, then install the cockpit. Speaking of the fuselage, there aren't any surprises, but take some time aligning the upper forward fuselage. I needed some liquid putty here to dress the seams.

The three-piece wing was assembled, simply by following the instructions. A metal nose weight is included, so there's no reason why this model should ever sit on its tail - just remember to install it when you glue the wings to the fuselage. The remainder of the nacelle and cowlings were glued into place and the wing was complete.

With the major assemblies glued together, some minor use of liquid putty was needed to dress the seams (typical for all of my models). It was also at this time that I determined I needed to fill in the airbrakes. Why? Tamiya measure real aircraft when producing a model, and they happened to measure the sole surviving Mk.I Meteor in Britain. I just so happens that this prototype had been damaged over 50 years ago and was repaired by installing a new wing; one from the later Mark then in production. Tamiya was right, they just modeled a non-standard airframe. Anyway, back to the airbrakes, I glued the plastic parts in the closed position, edged them with liquid glue, and then smoothed them over with both squadron and liquid putty - 5 minutes of work. Finally I glued the tails on, masked the canopy, and attached it - my Meteor was ready for paint.

Since I didn't feel like adding yet another camouflaged model to my collection, I began looking for something different; not necessarily colourful, but something that wasn't green and grey. I found it in the form of a F.Mk3 (Fighter, Mark 3) of No. 616 Squadron, RAF. This aircraft was part of a flight that operated out of Belgium late in 1944. It was these Meteors that became the first allied jets to operate out of mainland Europe. A hastily applied whitewash was applied over the standard RAF camouflage resulting in a winter scheme. However, like all whitewashes, the paint quickly faded, chipped and faded away resulting in a highly weathered appearance. This is what I was looking for.

I first applied a rough RAF camouflage to the model, leaving the grey areas bare plastic, and using whatever dark green I had laying around (it was only intended to peek through the whitewash). Next I applied a coat of thinned white paint to the entire model, making sure to leave numerous thin spots across the surface. Once I was satisfied (and I had second and third opinions) with the appearance, I sprayed everything with a coat of Future floorwax.

Since nobody's made aftermarket decals the modeler is forced into using the supplied decals. Tamiya and Hasegawa are both notorious for their thick decals, and this Meteor is no different. I've found however, that with careful application and liberal use of decal setting solutions these decals can and will disappear. Now that the decals were applied, another coat of Future was applied (allowed to dry), as was a coat of Polly Scale acrylic clear flat.

I chose to add extra weathering to this model (I like grungy looking finishes) by using pastel chalks, acrylic washes in the panel lines, and fluid leaks to the appropriate areas. Once all that was applied, some "mud" was airbrushed into place behind the undercarriage, under the wings, on the tails, etc.

With everything painted, I glued the landing gear doors into position, as well as the landing gear themselves. Remove the masks and my Meteor was complete.

Overall Tamiya's Meteor is a nice kit, quick to assemble, and reasonably accurate. I acquired mine during a local hobbyshop's Boxing Day sale (for roughly $25) and was quite happy for the price. The same store was selling the reboxed Meteor (with corrected wing) and a V-1 "buzz-bomb" for $70, in my opinion very over priced.

Tamiya's release is truly an interesting choice of subject. While the original Mk.I was a significant aircraft during WW 2 only small numbers entered into squadron service, whereas the post war models served in Korea, the Mid-East and numerous other countries around the globe. Couple this with a wide assortment of colour schemes and markings that decorated the later Marks and I'm left wondering what Tamiya was thinking in releasing the Mark I.