Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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FirstLook

New from Cutting Edge is decal set CED 48224 which covers three different versions of the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka.

First is a JU-87R-2/Trop of 6/StG2 flown by Hubert Polz out of Libya, Africa in August of 1941. This aircraft would be familiar to most Luftwaffe enthusiasts and I dare say is the one most commonly thought of when the subject of Stukas and the Western Desert is discussed.

Finish is RLM 70 (light green), RLM 71 (dark green) over RLM 65 (light blue) with a random splotch of RLM 79 (tan) over the 70/71, with a yellow (RLM 04) tipped spinner and white theatre markings of wing tips and fuselage band.

Markings consist of Balkenkreuze in six places with a Hakenkreuz to either side of the fin and squadron coding of T6-CP with the individual aircraft letter C being in yellow. As it is uncertain that the aircraft was either C or M both are supplied – your choice!

There has been much about whether the snake emblazoned down the sides of the fuselage was white with red markings, white with green markings or white with tan markings. Cutting Edge has supplied them in red. I favour this choice as, let's face it, why would the squadron go to the trouble of completing this intricate piece of "LOOK AT ME!" artwork and then try and camouflage it with brown or green paint?

Next is another desert based aircraft, a Ju 87D-5 of 2/NSG 9 flown by Fhj.Ofw. Artur Heiland, and Uffz Artur Ballok out of Ghedi in December, 1944.

Finish is the standard 70/71/65 with a squiggle of tan (79?) over the fuselage, wings and spats. There is also further camouflaging stripes on the under surfaces of the wings. The colour of this striping is not known but is guessed at being 74 (dark grey), 75 (mid grey), 79 or 80 (dark green).

Markings are as for the first aircraft except that the fuselage Balkenkreuze is white outline only. Squadron codes are E8-JK with the J being red with a white outline.

The final aircraft is a Ju 87D-3 of 2/NSG 2, finished is 70/71/65 with a white tip to the spinner and a yellow tail band.

Markings are the same for the second aircraft with the Hakenkreuz being in white outline only. The squadron codes are D3-HK with the H being in red with a thin white outline. The squadron markings continue with the rudder sporting a large white 8.

The decals themselves are reminiscent of Microscale. Everything is in register and they are all sharply and beautifully printed. The snakes themselves are printed as one-long decal with separate tongues. There are enough decals on the sheet to produce one aircraft only. Find yourself a further set of upper and lower wing Balkenkreuze, and Hakenkreuz from elsewhere and you can do all three. A nice touch is the fact that the forward part of the under wing Balkenkreuze that goes over the dive brakes is supplied as separate decals to save you from slicing the decal apart.

The placement guide is Cutting Edge's standard and quality fare being letter-sized and printed in colour. There is a further smaller sheet supplied and this sheet gives you pertinent notes on each aircraft as well as providing matches to each of the colours worn by the aircraft to commonly available model paints. The decals, placement and note sheet all come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

This is another good sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks.

Recommended.
 

Thanks to Cutting Edge Modelworks for the review samples..

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 17 June, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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