Wingnut Wings

1/32 Junkers J.1 model kit

 product # 32001

Review Article by Michael Johnson on June 25 2009

 

History

In an attempt to break the stalemate caused by trench warfare, German High Command placed an order for an all new low level observation aircraft and ground attack aircraft that provided good all round protection for the pilot and alsogood climb performance and manoeuvring ability. By November 1916 an initial order to Junkers for 3 aircraft was placed.

The Junkers J.1 was an advanced all-metal aircraft which was specially designed for attacking targets on the ground. Such a concept at that time was a novel one but it did mean the J.1 (along with the earlier monoplane J1) helped pioneer all-metal construction and it was also the first plane to be designed specifically for ground attack.

Designed and produced by the brilliant Professor Hugo Junkers, the J.1 (designated initially as J.4) was a direct outgrowth of an earlier Junkers J1 cantilevered wing monoplane airframe that had been greeted with derision by German aviation ministry officials. However that pioneering plane heralded developments that were to be used in the J.1 and thence in almost every high-performance aircraft.

Although the J.1 was a biplane, it too had strong cantilever wings.  While it did have steel struts to brace the upper wing, it was not encumbered by the maze of wires used in the construction of other World War I combat planes. These external supports contributed to the heavy drag that limited the top speed of even the most powerfully engined aircraft of the time.

The J.1 was constructed primarily of duralumin (an aluminium alloy) and was powered by a 200hp Benz engine turning a wooden two bladed propeller. To ensure additional survivability, 5mm thick steel armour protected the crew, engine and fuel tanks. As such the J.1 was a hard fighter to bring down in combat, either air to air or by ground fire.

Armament consisted of two forward firing Spandau machine guns operated by the pilot and a gunner-observer protected the plane from rear attack with a free swinging parabellum machine gun.

The first test runs of the J.1 were performed on January, 17th, 1917 with the first take off taking place on January 28th, 1917 at Doeberitz. Following this successful first flight, the aircraft was transfered to Adlershof at Berlin and on May 7th, 1917 the J.1 received its Idflieg (Inspektion der Fliegertruppen - "Inspectorate of Flying Troops") certificate as Junk.1, or  J.1. By March 1917 a new order for 50 J.1 aircraft was placed and in August 1917 the first aircraft were delivered to operational frontline units.

Fortunately for the allies, the J.1 became operational too late to have significant effect on the outcome of the war. It was generally well liked by its crews, but its slow speed earned the nickname “furniture van”.

The aircraft did, however, serve as a working, operational prototype for ground attack aircraft that were to be used in later conflicts. More importantly, it helped prove that all-metal construction and the internally braced cantilever wing could be practical paving the way for the adoption of both these features in the production of subsequent military and civilian aircraft.

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The Kit

Wingnut Wings 1:32 Junkers J.1 comes in a lavish and sturdy box faced with beautiful subject artwork which is quite the best box cover I have seen. I was amazed that the box actually held the contents within. There is no space left wasted.

There are eight grey sprues, single clear sprue, a thick colour instruction/reference booklet, massive decal sheet and photoetch all crammed within the box.

Parts are crisp and clean with no evident mould parting lines, with any ejection marks located where they will not be seen. The machine guns are a work of art in themselves and will look simply superb when painted whilst stitching along the fabric part of the fuselage is crisp and in scale, which with some adroit and careful dry brushing will look superb.

The corrugated wings are equally crisply moulded, with fine raised rivet detail. Because of the wingspan (over 500mm), Wingnut Wings have moulded strengtheners in the form of ribs which prevent flexing. Large join tabs reinforce the inner and outer wing assembly. All flying surfaces such as the ailerons, rudder and elevators are all movable, allowing for a fair degree of animation to the finished model.

The “crew space” is detailed and complete, with around 45 parts (including PE harnesses) needed to complete the sub assembly. Basic dry fitting indicates that all fits well and with careful assembly and painting, will look most impressive once completed and installed inside the fuselage halves. The instrument panel also is not neglected, with decal instrument faces provided, that once added and glazed with Future or clear gloss, will look most convincing.  

A finely detailed Benz engine completes the interior detail. There is a choice of two different types of exhaust, so careful study of the finishing options is most important to ensure the correct one is chosen. Careful painting of the engine is warranted as removable engine cowl coverings are offered to allow display of the engine.

The instruction booklet is in full colour, with clear stages outlined for the builder as well as full painting guides and reference images and notes. The reference section will be a great help whilst building the kit and will suffice as sole reference for many builders of this kit.

Colour call outs throughout the instructions refer to Tamiya, Humbrol, and Misterkit paints.

Right at the bottom of the box is the comprehensive decal sheet offering five difference finishing choices. The decals are produced by Cartograf in Italy and are sharp, thin and well in register.

The finishing options offered in the kit are as follows:

  • Junker J.I, serial 100/17, Flieger-Abteilung 19, 1917
  • Junker J.I, serial 134/17, Flieger-Abteilung (A) 263
  • Junker J.I, serial 138/17, Flieger-Abteilung 17, 1918
  • Junker J.I, serial 802/17, Flieger-Abteilung unknown, 1918
  • Junker J.I, serial 857/17, Flieger-Abteilung (A) 263, 1918

What a magnificent first release from a new model kit manufacturer!

This kit will appeal to those modellers who are afraid of the large amount of rigging that World War One aircraft require (I am included in this group!) or those World War One enthusiasts wanting to include a J.1 on their display cabinet.

Highly recommended!

I'd like to thank Wingnut Wings for the review sample.

Michael Johnson

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Photos and text © by Michael Johnson