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.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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
Click on
images below to see larger images
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