Jump to content

1/48 Airfix Junkers JU-87B-1 Stuka


Wolfman63

Recommended Posts

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/

dscn4683.jpg

 

dscn4687.jpg

 

dscn4690.jpg

 

dscn4692.jpg

 

dscn4695.jpg

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh that’s quite a bit of pin mark clean up to do... and in tight places! Yuck!

But the rest looks real good so far!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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/

dscn4696.jpg

 

dscn4709.jpg

 

dscn4714.jpg

 

dscn4716.jpg

 

dscn4724.jpg

 

dscn4726.jpg

 

dscn4730.jpg

 

dscn4731.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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/

dscn4742.jpg

 

dscn4744.jpg

 

dscn4746.jpg

 

dscn4749.jpg

 

dscn4750.jpg

 

dscn4755.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm really liking this kit from what I see of your build. I built the Hasegawa version a few years back and that kit wasn't near this one in terms of details. Progress is stellar so far.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season and staying safe. This week was spent building and detailing the engine on the Stuka. Starting with the upper cooler the front and rear were cut out and replaced with photo etch replacements. The scoop for the supercharger received the same treatment of cutting the panel open and using the photo etch replacement. The engine block was assembled and I added some engine controls to match the reference photos and then added wiring to match.

The engine was then mounted to the fuselage and the wiring was fed into the firewall. The kit did not have any parts for the upper cooler hoses. I added shrink tubing that when shrunk was the correct size and added the hoses. The exhaust was added and the entire engine was weathered with black, gray, and brown pastel chalk. The front plate and the propeller shaft were added.  As I mentioned previously, the reference photos show some of the panels still on the aircraft while maintenance is being performed. I will be doing the same thing. This however requires more work than I thought. I carefully cut the panels apart and realized the panels are too thick to fit over the engine and mounts. I am currently sanding and filing each panel to reduce the thickness.   

 

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/

dscn4761.jpg

 

dscn4762.jpg

 

dscn4763.jpg

 

dscn4770.jpg

 

dscn4772.jpg

 

dscn4775.jpg

 

dscn4777.jpg

Edited by Wolfman63
Link to comment
Share on other sites

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Work continues on the Stuka. The nose cowl panels have been separated, painted and weathered. The two lower panels that will be on the aircraft fit well once thinned. The panel that goes forward of the sight window did need to be corrected. It did not have the slot for the lower cooler hose.

I will be mounting this on a base that will be accessorized to like an airfield. I already have the base. I ordered ICM’s German Luftwaffe Pilots and Ground Personnel set which has 7 figures (it arrived a couple of days ago) and I also ordered the Tamiya 1/48 German Kettenkraftrad which has a power cart, a maintenance tractor, and two figures. (This is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.)

With the panels completed I added the landing gear and flaps. The scheme I am doing has the aircraft with RLM 70 SCHWARZGRÜN on top and RLM 65 HELLBLAU on the underside with yellow cowl and yellow rudder. I base coated the aircraft and the bombs. I need to make the decals for this specific scheme then apply them. There are also quite a few photo etch parts to detail the canopy that need to added.

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/

dscn4785.jpg

 

dscn4786.jpg

 

dscn4787.jpg

 

dscn4790.jpg

 

dscn4794.jpg

 

dscn4795.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This week’s update on the Stuka I finished the fuselage. Once the base coat of paint was completed I used the kit decals for the common decals and then added the home made decals for the squadron markings. The kit decals went on very well and they did not require a lot of solvent to sink into the details. After the decals dried I applied the clear top coat.

Weathering was done. I used brown, dark gray, and black pastel chalk for the exhaust staining. In the fuselage I used medium green on the center of the upper panels to add some sun fade and a mix of dark green and black for panel lines. The underside was weathered with light and dark gray. I then started working on the canopy sections. The canopy sections will be in the open position. There are some photo etch details such as handles and the frame for the rear gun.

Once I complete the canopy I will start on the Kettenkrafyrad and all the figures for the display then prepare the display base.

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/

dscn4801.jpg

 

dscn4802.jpg

 

dscn4805.jpg

 

dscn4809.jpg

 

dscn4810.jpg

 

dscn4818.jpg

 

dscn4808.jpg

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Stuka aircraft is just about done.  After I finished the weathering, decals, and top coat done I detailed and painted the canopy frame and then installed the canopy. The antenna line inside the canopy was made with 32 AWG wire. The antenna line from tail to mast was done with some EZ-line. The aircraft was then set aside (more weathering to be applied once it is set on the base) .

I then started on the portable generator for the display. For the engine I added the fuel line and ignition wires. The cable to hook up to the aircraft was part of the kit. I painted it German Gray and weathered it with gray, brown and black pastel chalk. I will add the grass and dirt stains later when it is mounted to the display base.  I am now starting on the display base. The base is a 16” diameter, 1/8” thick maple base. I will be using Scene-A-Rama accessories to make a grass field next to a paved runway. I also have the tractor and seven figures to build, detail, and paint.

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/

dscn4820.jpg

 

dscn4821.jpg

 

dscn4831.jpg

 

dscn4833.jpg

 

dscn4835.jpg

 

dscn4839.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kapton is used as an electrical insulator.  At one time, it was used for the insulation on aircraft-grade wiring.  It is light, but is not able to withstand abrasions, and once scored it tended to split.  One airplane I re-wired had wiring that looked like beads on a string...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapton

The tape is available through Amazon and several other sources:

https://www.amazon.com/Mil-Kapton-Tape-Polyimide-Yds/dp/B006ZFQNT6
 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kapton tape is a polyimide tape. Typically used in electronics. I first found out about it many years ago. At work they used it for isolating sections of circuit boards that were used on a wave solder machine. The thing that is nice is it does not react to paint, thinners or glues, the silicone adhesive leaves no residue and the edges seal very well so no bleed thru. The polyimide nature also allows a little bit of stretch for curves. You can buy a pack with a variety of widths on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Polyimide-Temperature-Resistant-Multi-Sized/dp/B072Z92QZ2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1VE1BPJ6EZHAB&dchild=1&keywords=kapton+tape&qid=1610916519&s=industrial&sprefix=Kapton%2Cindustrial%2C192&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyUFRRUTFLRUZCT1M2JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDM3Njk3TE9MRjAzUDNWWEJBJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0MTAzNjExMUFEMDc2SFNMTVVVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Here is the center canopy of a SB2U masked off. It trims easily. I put one large piece over the side and used a #11 hobby blade to trim it. Once trimmed I use a toothpick to press down on the edges. Since it is translucent, you can see where it is "sealed" on the edges. After painting just use a hobby knife or toothpick to lift the corner and peel it off.

dscn0784.jpg

And here it is after painting dscn0791.jpg

Here is the masked off canopy of the UH-60L

dscn4566.jpg

and after painting

dscn4593.jpg?w=700&h=

 

I even used it for the top and side windows on my 1/48 E-2D to replicate the gold tint of them. (Taped the inside of the windows.)

dscn2748.jpg

I find it easier than even the pre-cut masks. I even used for all my masking on models. (stripes, camoflauges, etc.)

I have even used it to make navigation lights by placing a dot of acrylic gel onto the backside of the tape. Once dry it just peels off the tape and you have a round navigation light.

Edited by Wolfman63
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That stuff looks like it would be good to use on a F117 canopy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This week the diorama base for the Stuka is being built up. The base is a 16” diameter, 1/8” thick maple base. I started by painting the base with forest green and dirt tan in patches. Using the Scene-O-Rama accessories the base was sprayed with spray glue and sprinkled with the medium green and dark green “grass”. I then added some “weed clumps” and added some “yellow flower” spots on the weeds. A sheet of thin styrene was then trimmed to fit one edge to be part of the runway. I used medium gravel to trim the edge of the runway and sprinkled a few “rocks” around the base. The area where the aircraft and vehicles sit was then scraped to show bare spots.

I then assembled the Kettenkraftrad. I painted it the dark green with leather seats. It was then weathered using black, dark gray, light gray, and mud brown pastel chalk. Once the vehicles and aircraft are mounted on the base I will add bits of grass and dirt to the wheels and tracks. I was looking over the figures and one of them shows a mechanic kneeling holding a tool. With the height of the aircraft engine off the ground I searched the internet and located a few photos of Stuka’s being worked on. They all show a maintenance platform with a sandbag keeping the wheels stable.

Using the photos I scaled out the size of the platform. I then used styrene rods to make up the frame and sheet styrene for the steps and platform. I then scaled out the wheels and sandbag. These were then put into Solidworks and finally 3-D printed. The platform was then painted medium gray and weathered. I then built up a couple of jerry cans and fuel drums to add to the display. Next I will be working on all the figures that will be used.

 

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/

 

dscn4841.jpg

 

dscn4843.jpg

 

dscn4845.jpg

 

dscn4855.jpg

 

dscn4865.jpg

 

dscn4872.jpg

 

dscn4875.jpg

 

dscn4879.jpg

 

dscn4883.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...