1/32 Revell Junkers Ju-188 E-1

Gallery Article by Viktor Kucera on July 6 2012

 

 

The base kit is – what else – Revell’s Ju-88 A-1. The major conversion is from England; John McIllmurray of AIMS is already well known for his perfectly researched, engineered and produced conversions, mainly for Junkers Ju-88. The resin parts are accompanied by photoetch, decals and instructions. Of course, this is a major conversion. Wings and ailerons extension are easy, the same as new vertical stabilizer and huge rudder. Positioning of BMW engines is little-bit tricky, as almost no locating points are defined. Finally, everything was lined-up and glued by CA. After the extension of stabilizer and elevator I have discovered from photos, that I have omitted corner balance; some cutting, gluing, puttying and sanding fixed that. 

As I expected the major work concentrated on the cockpit and canopy. I am involved in 1/32 modeling for 42 years, however the Ju-188 cockpit was the most complex cockpit I ever did. Following the instructions and Kagero publications I did what I could, however I easily could spend another year on this ship. Everybody has his own level of satisfaction; my is, let say, moderate. I am building models for my pleasure, displaying them in lightened cabinets in my home. Rather difficult part was to scratchbuild tube frame for 20 mm gun, and as expected, cutting and positioning of canopy parts. Special work was to build the turret, to be inserted after painting. To join the new nose / greenhouse to the fuselage required lot of thick CA and putty, however it was not problematic. Masking of the canopy by Tamyia tape took several hours, it is really "nice work". Fortunately I was not forced to use second set of canopy; in any case it is nice addition.. What-if... Canopy framing was sprayed by RLM 66 (as the most of the interior), then the resin parts by Resin Primer and the entire model by Surfacer 1000. After that I fixed missing or damaged panel lines and "riveted" the entire model by the "wheel" (Petr Dousek). Some light sanding, repairs, sanding, repairs, sanding… 

Painting: I have selected Ju-188 E-1 of II./ KG 66, based in France, spring 1944, involved in night air raids to England. As is generally known, a very little photographs exist from this period, as Germans had other priorities then to photograph their aircraft. Almost all known pictures are from the time, when these aircraft were captured by Allies, more or less damaged. Under surfaces "black" – I used mix of 75% Semi Gloss Black + 25% Dark Brown. Center of panels then lightened by thin mix of black / light grey, panel lines thinly by semi-gloss black. Masked, upper surfaces by RLM 76. Partially Futured under decals, then decals applied. I used stencilling very carefully, assuming that on the end of the war the rules were not so strict, and / or majority of stenciling were oversprayed by mottles… (But primarily because I am lazy). Then relatively regular mottles of RLM 70 were applied, using thin paint with retarder, low pressure. After that entire model was sprayed by matt varnish and the best point of the whole built is here – unmasking of the complex canopy… Heavy exhaust stains were created by the spray gun using dark brown / black / brown mix; fuel stains, landing gear parts and panel lines by thinned oil paint. Wheels were weathered by dark brown powder. Then details and antennas were added, as the huge fuel tank and 1000 kg Hermann bomb. 

 

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I have bulit paralelly three complex conversions of Revell’s Junkers Ju-88 A-1: This Ju-188 E-1 (AIMS conversion), Ju-88 G-6 (AIMS conversion) and Ju-88 A-11 (L’Arsenal conversion). Start was in July 2011, all three ships were finalized on the end of May 2012. 

What I have used:

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

  • Conversion: AIMS Ju-188 E/F (John McIllmurray)

  • Landing gear: Scale Aircraft Conversion

  • Outer weapon hinghes: CMK

  • Gun Barrels: Master

  • Seatbelts: HGW

  • Paints: Gunze Sangyo Mr. Color, Future

  • Decals: From the conversion, from the kit

  • Weathering: Oil paint, Powder MiG Production

  • Ladder: Profimodeller

  • Antenna: EZ line fine – Wingnut Wings

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

This was very enjoyable built. I am very happy with the accuracy and quality of AIMS conversion sets. Ahead of me there are still the "original" A-1, AIMS S-1 and AIMS Mistel 1, using some Bf-109 available… However, my fleet should be somewhat balanced, therefore some Allied fighters are now on my workbench … 

Viktor Kucera

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Photos and text © by Viktor Kucera