1/72 Special Hobby´s Junkers W-34

by Jeremías Luchina

--------------------

  Argentina´s 1810 revolution (2007 Anniversary) 

 

This is my Special hobby´s Junkers W-34 in Argentina´s navy colours.

Before this I built The IA-58 Pucara from the same manufacturer that had some fit issues that necessitated fixing, but sported great detail.  With the Junkers it was the opposite, the fit was great, and the detalis, well, almost non-existent...  I wanted to improve things a little but I couldn´t find any references, so I made up the interior framing using stryrene and stretched sprue; and added some "conduit" using cooper wire.  I was happy with the results, even if the details were a little bit "creative" and that was better than no detail at all. (yes I know the framing is overscale, maybe I will get that better the next time jejeje...).  Another improvement involved the exhaust pipes, because the kit parts were incorrect for the planes in service in Argentina. Those parts were made using solder wire in diferent diameters and a LOT of patience to archive the shape I wanted. This was for me the most difficult part of the project. The engine also received ignition wires made of very thin cooper wire.

Once the building stage was completed it was time for painting.  I wanted to try Alclad II chrome (I used the aluminium paint once, and I was pleasantly surprised by the results) so a gloss black coat was sprayed in preparation for the lacquer (I use Krylon spray can paint decanted to my airbrush).  I left the paint dry for two days and then I sprayed the Alclad in thin coats.  Once the paint dried up (with that magic shine) it was time to apply the decals.  I used an after-market set, although designed for an AT-6 because they share many of the markings.  No clear coat was necessary because the Alclad surface is smooth and  shiny enough.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

The black sections were masked before I applied the metallic finish.  The national colours in the control surfaces were masked and painted.

The last thing  was to add antenna wire, for which I used nylon monofilament.

The completed model looks very nice -at least fot me - and it is a fine addition to my collection of Argentinean planes.

I want thanks my father for the "donation" of the model (He bought the kit for himself)

Jeremías 

Photos and text © by Jeremías Luchina