The model was ordered from Sprue Brothers as soon as I found it was in-stock and ready for delivery. As usual, Sprue Brothers delivered it quickly and safety, double boxed with scrunched paper packing material.
The first thing that I noticed when I opened the box was the color of the plastic: grey! Which is a win-win for me. My last experience with a Z-M kit was the Ta-152H-1, which was molded in black and metallic grey... both of which I hated working with. Neutral grey is much easier on the eyes and I applaud Z-M for going back to the basics with this color choice.
The small black container has a nice resin figure of the Blonde Knight, Erich Hartmann, cast by Master Box of Ukraine. It's pretty cool to see this type of collaboration.
I'm not a figure builder but the figure seems to be well done.
The actual model is comprised of 10 grey and 2 clear plastic frets, each individually packaged in plastic bag. This is probably a necessity with a kit like this due to the amount of very fine and easily breakable parts.
Sprue A holds the fuselage parts. Or at least the largest of the fuselage parts, which extends from the cockpit to the tail. As you know, Z-M's schtick is to provide a significant amount of internal detail including bulkheads and spars, even though they will not be seen after assembly. Model assembly is patterned after actual aircraft assembly and this can result in some sacrifices in ease of model construction. So the major components, fuselage and wings, will cobbled together using a modular approach.
Finish of the plastic is satin smooth and Z-M utilizes what I call the "Hasegawa" approach to external detail by providing finely recessed panel lines but leaving the rivets off. I personally like this approach and gives modelers a choice by allowing those inclined to add something extra to the model if so desired.
Molding looks nice and crisp.
The older "short" rudder is provided on this fret but is not the only choice. One of many options that is included in this kit, increasing the value and appeal of this release.
More options: The short tail wheel comes in booted and unbooted versions.
Some interesting interior side detailing on the bigger Sprue A parts.
Sprue seems to contain the wing parts although I don't see anything that resembles a standard one-piece wing bottom. More of that modular approach it seems. All control surfaces, such as flaps, ailerons and leading edge slats, are separate.
Only the smaller kidney-bean wheel bulges are provided on this kit. Again, molding is nice and crisp and unusually smooth due to the lack of rivets.
The interior side of the wing tops house some raised detail for the wheel wells.
To be continued...
I can’t wait to see what you’re gonna do with this John?
Get started soon brother John! 
