1/32 Revell Junkers Ju-88 A-11

Gallery Article by Viktor Kucera on July 26 2012

 

 

Junkers Ju-88 A-11 is in fact well known A-4, modified for desert service in the factory. These aircraft were usually factory-painted RLM 79 on the top and RLM78 on bottom surfaces. Such ships were almost identical to Ju-88 A-4 Trop, which were modified in the field. The modification represents new air inlet filters (not visible), and some extra water store, rifle for the defense (lions?) and other extra survival equipment (again, not externally visible).

The base kit is Revell’s Ju-88 A-1. The conversion is L’Arsenal, France, it is A-4 conversion. The resin parts (mainly new engines, tail fin and rudder with corner balance, wing tips extensions, new transparent rear canopy parts with typical bulges, new cockpit details and many other parts). These resin parts are accompanied by decals and instructions. 

The building procedure was pretty straightforward; as I went through three projects paralelly (this A-11, then G-8 and 188 A-1), this work was the “smaller one”. However, entirely this is not a small project! Huge airplane, a lot of parts, moderate modifications. All available resources are very helpful. As always in such built, the complex cockpit is a great portion of work. New seats, HGW seatbelts, instrument panels, radio equipment (all that FuGs – Funkgerät, meaning ”radio-equipment”). Rather complicated was the installation of the new MG-82 guns; it is not only the gun itself, but the ammo bin (for nose gun clearly visible in the glass nose), ammunition feed belt and spent cartridge chute. As with Ju-88 G-6, I have decided to assemble the fuselage and wings after painting. Exhaust covers were scratchbuilt from very thin aluminium sheet. According to resources, I have added one more vertical strip to the side cabin windows; it looks these were standard for all Ju-88. Resin parts were then primed by Resin Primer and the entire model was sprayed by Surfacer 1000. After that I fixed missing or damaged panel lines and "riveted" the entire model by the "wheel" (Petr Dousek). 

Painting: 
I have selected Ju-88 A-11 of I./LG1, L1+OK, used for support roles in North Africa, but usually located in Greece. The paint scheme was published by Maciej Noszczak in Polish Topdrawings No.6, including decals; the only known picture was published in “Junkers Ju-88 in action, part 1”, page 36. The aircraft is in standard combination of RLM79/78, with irregular mottles of green RLM80. I paid special attention to “desert look”; applying several coats of filter to demonstrate faded exterior. Standard “lightening” of skin panels centers, moderate use of oil paints into engraved lines and “fuel stains” finished the deal. 

Adding all remaining parts - landing gears, door covers, bombs (1x SC 500, 3x SC-250), gondola hatch with MG-82Z, antennas, props, … coronated the deal. 

 

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What I have used:

  • Base kit: Revell Junkers Ju-88 A-1

  • Conversion: L‘Arsenal

  • Gun Barrels: Master

  • Seatbelts: HGW

  • Bomb carriers: Aires

  • Bombs: MDC

  • Paints: Gunze Sangyo Mr. Color, Future

  • Decals: Topdrawings, from the kit

  • Weathering: Oil paint, Powder MiG Production

  • Ladder: Profimodeller

  • Antena: EZ line fine – Wingnut Wings

  • Spray gun: H&S Colani, H&S Infinity

Again -  very enjoyable built. Specifically doing three such beasts in parallel (Ju-88 A-11, G-8 and 188 E-1)… The best comment is hidden in one question: Would I do it again? ….. J Yes, however after some other projects…(Spitfires, Corsairs, …).  Mistel 1 (Ju-88 A-4 with Bf-109F on its top), Ju-88 S-1 and Ju-88 A-1 are still waiting…..  

Viktor Kucera

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Photos and text © by Viktor Kucera