Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner
 

Aeromaster's 1/48 scale Best Selling Stukas Pt.II is available online from Squadron.com

 

FirstLook

This is Part II of AeroMaster’s re-release of the previous Stuka theme. As with Part I, there are two Luftwaffe subjects but this time the third option is Rumanian.

Suggested kits for the sheet are the Monogram, Revell and Hasegawa issues of the Ju87D but it should be noted that some modification would be needed for the “foreign” example.

The three options that greet the modeller are:

• Ju87D-3 “T6+BM” of 4/SG 2, Russia

Finished in the traditional scheme of RLM 70/71 over RLM 65 under surfaces, this aircraft is brightened by the application of the yellow theatre markings. Additional highlights are the white spinner tip, stripe on the rudder, red code letter, and the name “Brunhilde” on the cowling. The 4/SG 2 badge is situated just forward of the canopy and further codes are found on the spats.

• Ju87 D-3 “S2+LT”, 9/StG 77, Wschodni Front, Russia

A weathered “snow camouflage” scheme isn’t easy to do but can look spectacular when done right. An opportunity is possible with this aircraft from 9/StG 77. It is portrayed as having the usual yellow Eastern Front theatre markings, white and yellow spinner, and the Unit badge just forward of the canopy. This would be an early D-3 machine as latter production models had their sirens removed.

• Ju87D-8, 861, 3/6 Dive Bomber Group, Royal Romanian Air Force, 1944.

For those that want a break from the Luftwaffe subjects, AeroMaster have provided this Romanian example. It had the markings of its former operator painted over (which the manufacturer supply) and those of its new “owner” instigated. “Hai noroc!” is boldly painted on the cowling in white paint and along with the new national markings makes a colourful alternate to the markings we usually see on Stukas.

RLM 70/71/65 is again the standard scheme used and the thin spiral on the spinner is supplied as a decal.

A tricoloured stripe appears on top of the rudder with the aircraft number immediately below it.

The D-8 aircraft were modified D-5 airframes that were to be used in nocturnal attacks. Thus there were various modifications made and it will pay to check your subject carefully to see which ones applied. Some of the changes to consider are exhaust flame dampers, removal of the dive brakes, flash suppressor for the MG151/20s, and possibly a D/F loop.

Close inspection of the decal sheet reveals no registration problems whatsoever. Where there could potentially be a problem AeroMaster have sensibly printed that coloured image separately. The modeller merely has to overlay the images and register it to their satisfaction.

A set of stencil data is provided and the lettering was found to be sharp and clear. Thoughtfully this sheet also includes the non-slip walk areas on top of the wing.

The instructions make it very clear where everything should go and this also applies to the stencilling.

Full national markings are included for each aircraft so there need not be any reason to raid the spares box if more than one option from this sheet is to be completed.

AeroMaster has made sure that they have catered for a wide variety of tastes with this release. All three options are colourful and are sufficiently different to satisfy all but the fussiest pallets.

Recommended.

Thanks to Aeromaster Decals for the review sample

Review Text Copyright © 2005 by Robert Baumgartner
Page Created 07 March, 2005
Last updated 06 March, 2005

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