Leaderboard

For my next build I will be taking on the 1/48 Airfix Junkers JU-87B-1 Stuka. This was a World War II dive bomber use by Germany. I am not using the scheme in the kit. Instead the scheme will be that of the Staffelkapitan, 4th Staffel, Stukageshwader 77. It represents how it looked in June 1940 in France. I purchased the Eduard “Big ED” photo etch detail set (#49166) and will also be scratch building some other details. Starting with the cockpit I added the photo etch details to the ammunition cartridges. Then I detailed the seat with the photo etch seat belts. The cockpit floor required some putty as the ejector points were a little on the deep side. Once filled and sanded it was painted using Vallejo RM2 gray. The spent ammo casing bin was assembled and a photo etch cover was added. I added the ammunition cartridges to the mount and the put the bin, ammo, and seat into the weathered cockpit. I am working on the cockpit walls. Again these have a lot of ejector marks which required putty to fill. The cockpit parts have very good details although it is kind of a shame that there is a lot of ejector marks. You can see photos and details of the start in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-ju-87b-1-stuka/

This debate has opened up the inevitable can of worms. But as I see it, apart from paint, Out of the Box should mean exactly that including the kit decals, even if the decals suck as one poster said. If the decals are a bit naff then it should just be a part of the OOB challenge.

I think this category causes more questions than any other, but in my mind it is pretty clear. Build the parts that came in the box, according to the directions in the box. Add any paint or decals you would like and you are okay. Try to tap dance around the rules and you are not. If the instructions tell you how to build rigging or seatbelts, follow the instructions and your fine. Granted IPMS category rules have some exceptions by class but you push the boundaries of these at your own risk. Last, keep it simple and show off your basic modeling skills.

Today’s progress update: During the week, I airbrushed on a coat of Future in preparation for decals. This morning I broke out my ancient Superscale US Armor markings decal sheet - it’s basicly national stars in various sizes, plus two sizes of letters and numbers. The smaller size barely fit on the bumpers. For a 30+ year old decal sheet, they cooperated well enough, but took a long time to lift free from the backing paper. I also used the kit decals for the dash, and some decals from my spares for the serial number, black stars, and red reflector tape squares. I went with the CO’s jeep for Echo Troop, 2nd ACR.

The Stuka is coming together very well. With the cockpit tub assembled I worked on the instrument panel and pedals assembly. The pedals are photo etch. This was attached to the instrument panel as well as the belly window. For details I mounted the window panel in the open position. The Inside of the fuselage was detailed with photo etch details, weathered, then assembled. There were only a few small areas that required some putty but overall the fit is very good. The wings, rudder and rear horizontal stabilizers were added and the control linkage photo etch parts were added. The kit includes a detailed engine. I will be building the engine and detailing it. The kit only allows two options, one with all the nose panels off or all on without the engine. Many of the photos online show some of the panels on as they performed maintenance. So I will be modifying some of the kit panels so they can be installed to like they were in the field. You can see all the photos and details from the start in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-ju-87b-1-stuka/

I know that engine... 😉 Wheres the rest of it Joe?

It may not look like much progress, but I finished up the detail painting that I need to do before gloss coat for decals, washes, etc....

This week I worked on building and detailing the cockpit on the Stuka. Once the ejection holes were filled and sanded I added the photo etch details. Some reference photos I found online included a B-1 Stuka that was found in a forest and was getting ready to be restored at a museum. The photos show the cables and wiring had a yellow and white covering. I then added some yellow and white cables using 30 AWG wire. I routed them the same way the reference photos had them routed. The cockpit walls were then weathered using pastel chalk. The instrument panel was then detailed with photo etch panels and levers. In between the pilot and gunner is a radio set. I replaced the kit version with the corrected photo etch versions and mounted them onto the rack. The side walls were installed. Working on the fuselage details and getting ready to assemble it. You can see more photos and details from the start in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-ju-87b-1-stuka/

Today was detail painting: seat cushions, shovel & axe, radios, etc.... mostly using different ODs for some tonal variety.

I finished up the camo today. Then went back with a brush and hit the few areas where the masked areas didn’t quite meet up properly and the base color came thru where it should not. Behold the MASSTER (camo)! I really do like this scheme! Next up all the detail painting before weathering and decals...

Mark and Joe, thank you! I’m glad that you’re enjoying this project! Today’s progress update... I spent way more time masking with Silly Putty than I did airbrushing paint, stirring and thinning paint, and cleaning my airbrush... Man is that a task to use Silly Putty on such a pattern, I think that I need to buy another egg or two of the stuff... Humbrol enamels: First color, Matt Brown 186, which is supposed to be a good match for Earth Red FS 30117 Second Color, Matt Forest Green 150, which is supposed the match Forest Green FS 34127 I already know I’m gonna have to go back and do touch ups.... Plus one more color to go on the pattern...