Mushroom Model Publication

Junkers Ju 87 Stuka Book

Product article by Mark "Kostucha" Ejdrygiewicz on Nov 9 2009

Junkers Ju 87 Stuka
Yellow Series book written by Robert Michulec and Matthew Willis
Book No. 6125     ISBN No. 978-83-89450-49-4     Price $18.95 (CDN)
by Mark "Kostucha" Ejdrygiewicz

While looking for a number of reference books for the 1/24 Stuka I'm working on, I stumbled on this MMP book off of their website. After finding a copy close by, I cracked the book and began reading. And reading more. And reading even more. If one is looking for a good book of both general and very specific information for any Stuka version, this is a must.

The history of this ugly and rugged aircraft is covered in great detail within this book. Within its 152 pages, this title covers everything one may want to know. The early development of the Stuka is the readers starting point and what a story it is. With some rare and hard to find pictures, combined with a well researched write up, the fact from fiction is separated with regards to the early stages of the Ju 87 development.

Further to that, the book is broken down into 2 main parts. The first part is the typical historical write up filled with great information and pictures. The second part of the book is the meat and potatoes.  Colour pictures and notes from the authors about the reference aircraft used. This is both to highlight specific things to look for (as these pictures are a modellers dream, very specific areas and hard to see places too). Also, the authors get it right here - they mention any discrepancies with the aircraft. The Ju 87B that is photographed was noted to have T-6, not the original wheels found on the Stuka! Well researched information like this is consistent throughout this title.

All key versions of the Stuka are also covered in great detail. From scale profile drawings (all in 1/72), to illustrations of various structures straight from the technical manuals of hard to see areas (such as the early Ju 87A MG15 setup, to rudder and tail wheel structure, and so on). This book offers a lot to the reader as mentioned in both a general sense, but also very specific.

Throughout the book the reader will see that MMP gives very specific W.Nr.'s of a/c that had unique features, or when production changes were introduced on the factory floor and in the field. Information on which W.Nr.'s were produced at which factory and when, combined with good information on what changes occurred over time with pictorial evidence offers the reader a clear and concise understanding of how the Stuka evolved and in which way.

In total from cover to cover this great book offers:

  • -Just over 200 pictures - 78 of them in colour from modern day survivors offered as reference pictures;

  • -40 profile images in 1/72 (including specific components such as different canopies and engine cowls);

  • -28 illustrated images - most from the technical manual - showing various component break downs; and

  • -55 colour profiles including break downs of key paint scheme patterns for specific periods in time.

The book contains information for the following aircraft as well as other information. The break down consists of:

  • -Junkers K47

  • -Junkers K48

  • -He 50A

  • -Hs 123 V2

  • -Ju 87 V1-V4

  • -Ju 87A's

  • -Ju 87B's

  • -Ju 87R's

  • -Tropical Versions

  • -Ju 87C (with great pictures and profiles of the folding wings)

  • -Ju 87D

  • -Ju 87D (night versions)

  • -Ju 87E

  • -Ju 87G

  • -Ju 87H

  • -Uncompleted developments: Ju 87F, Ju 187, Ju 287

  • -Ju 87 Production

  • -Technical Data

  • -Detail photos of the Ju 87A, B and D/G

Not only was this title an enjoyable read, but is a key reference point for the work being done on my Airfix Stuka. This book contained all the information needed to revert from a B-2 back to a B-1 accurately, with both text and images. Just another example of why this title is a must in any Stuka modellers library.

This title is often available on
Squadron, from MMP directly, and other book stores online.

Mark "Kostucha" Ejdrygiewicz

Photos and text © by Mark "Kostucha" Ejdrygiewicz