For my first (only?) entry into this contest, I chose one of the Marek models that I knew I'd have to build eventually. It's the Kikka or 'Orange Blossom' - the Japanese jet that was inspired by the ME262 and in development near the end of WW2. The research I've done indicates it flew once and a second flight was attempted and aborted. It differs a bit from the Schwalbe though - it is a bit smaller and did not have a swept wing configuration. The similarity in appearance to this plane is the reason this one is on my build list. The Wilhelmshaven ME262 1/50 scale is the first kit I built to get me back into paper modeling after my first 10 year absence, and I've always found it to be a very aesthetically pleasing plane.
The Japanese plan was to have a plane with a speed of 695 km/h, range of 200 km, bomb load of 250 kg, landing speed under 150 km/h and takeoff distance under 350 m. In addition, the plane was to have folding wings to allow it to be hidden in caves and tunnels. The takeoff distance was to be achieved using rockets (RATO).
One curiosity I have found is that the published (Answer) kit of this model is labeled as 'J8N1' Kikka and the Wikipedia site lists it as a J9Y. I hazard a guess that they are designating different functions of the intended craft, but maybe somebody with more Japanese aircraft knowledge can clear this up? (My one source, 'Complete book of World War II Combat Aircraft', Enzo Angelucci - Paolo Matricardi, 1988, pg. 344) has no alpha-numeric designation indicated for the Kikka.
The actual prototype made it's way to the US after the war, and is currently housed at the Smithsonian. I believe this to be an image of it:
As far as the model, it consists of the nice color cover page, 1 history page, 2 pages of instruction diagrams and 4 A4 pages of parts. I printed it on legal cardstock. I collected the parts indicated to be laminated (as seems typical with Marek models, they are scattered around the rest of the pages) and laminated them to 3 extra sheets of the cardstock. The thickness measures 0.9-0.95mm (spray glue thickness accounts for the variation).
The kit includes a detailed cockpit interior. For the contest, I believe it qualifies for extra points for 2 engines, detailed cockpit and landing gear enclosure detail. The picture attached is the sheets laid out on my work desk. You can see the typical tools, although the top drawer of the desk includes my paints, hole punch and a quite a few other tools that are used less often.
Assembly numbers start with the nose, work back to the tail and then into the cockpit details. You really couldn't assemble it this way, so I'll be starting with the cockpit.
I do not believe that the RATO units are modeled.