In 1943, Arado began work on series of the Ar E.555 flying wing bomber project. This configuration was thought to be the best design to fulfil a requirement of high speed, heavy loading and long-range aviation.

Due to the design acceptance by the Reichsluftfahrt Ministerium (State Ministry for Aviation) in early 1944, the Arado design team scaled down the same configuration to design a smaller size fighter version, the Ar E.581-4. It was a single-seat fighter, powered by one HeS011 turbojet engine. The delta wing with the twin fins was designed as the Ar E.555. In fall of 1944, the Reich was faced with a deteriorating war situation and concentrated resources on the existing fighters already in production. Arado was ordered to stop work on all the new projects, including the Ar E.581-4.

THE KIT

Type: Resin.
Parts: 16
Clear Parts: 1
Strong white kraft box contains a multi-compartment plastic bag with all the parts.
There is very little flash anywhere and all minor parts are loose.
All parts come in the usual buff coloured resin and look extremely well moulded. Excellent quality with well defined detail and panel lines.
No resin moulding trees or lugs evident anywhere on the major parts so clean up should be a doddle. The smaller parts are also of the same good quality and as this is a small aircraft that should not require a great deal of ballast the resin undercarriage legs may be strong enough to support the weight. But as a precaution it may be a good idea to reinforce themor scratch build new ones from brass rod and tube.

CLEAR PARTS

One vac canopy. A good vac, nice, clear and thin.

DECALS

Look good if basic. One small strip of decals for the crosses, 2 x number 5ís and instrument panel. No swastikas. Some may wish to add extra decals.

INSTRUCTIONS

Not bad for an A4 photocopy. Good exploded illustrations and background on one side, with camo and decal guide on the reverse.

VALUE

A little pricey for such a small and simple kit, but it is very good quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Amongst the best for quality. An excellent addition for Luft 46 fans and for those wishing to try something a little different. Apart from the price, it would make an excellent introduction to making a resin kit for the first time. I'm looking forward to building it.