Wednesday, July 24, 2013

INCOMING: REVELL JUNKERS Ju-88 A4 KIT TO 1:32 SCALE



World War II aviation fans can look forward to this big-scale model of the widely-used Junkers Ju-88.


As our Revell promo pix show, the model looks extremely convincing when assembled, with plenty of attention paid to internal detailing. The underbelly pod looks good, with drop-down machine gun access. The main landing gear has the correct tyre tread pattern.


The tail wheel housing earns brownie points, with nicely-sculpted doors and a correct-length oleo for the support strut.

Control surfaces are separate components, and if you adjust them suitably, will look very convincing indeed.


No crew members are supplied, more’s the pity, but after-market figures are available.

As usual with 1:32 scale, you get a lot of kit in the box: in this case, 380 components to assemble, resulting in a finished model that has a suitably large wingspan of more than two feet - very satisfying!


About the real thing
The Ju-88 was a versatile combat aircraft, deployed variously as a dive bomber, night fighter, torpedo bomber, mine layer and for reconnaissance. Mass production of the Ju 88A-1 began in September 1939, but improvements led to the A4, a machine with better protective armour, more powerful engines, a more efficient wing and a two-tonne bomb load.


Standard bomber
The Ju-88 A4 went into mass-production, to become the Luftwaffe's standard bomber, and the basis for all further developments of the Ju 88. Some 15,000 were built.


Model details
* Additional parts supplied for this A-4 version
* Detailed control surfaces and recessed panel joints
* Super-detailed cockpit, including instrument panels and bomb-aimer’s equipment
* Detailed engine cowlings and rotating props
* Landing gear features rotating wheels, and neatly-produced tailwheel housing
* SC250 and SC500 bombs both supplied


Decals supplied for two Luftwaffe machines:
* Junkers Ju 88A-4 of 4/KG54, Catania, Sicily, April 1943
* Junkers Ju 88A-4 of 3/KuFl Gr 506, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, April 1942


JUNKERS Ju-88 SCALE STATS
Scale: 1:32
Number of parts: 380
Length: 453mm (17.8in)
Wingspan: 630mm (24.8in)
Release date: August 2013

Junkers Ju-88 kits here, including the 1:32 scale Revell Ju-88 A1.