Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner
 

Eagle Strike Productions' Blitz Bombers Part 1 will be available online from Squadron.com

 

FirstLook

This is the first of at least two parts on the famous Arado 234. The sheet deals with the B-2 variant and as such offers an attractive collection of schemes. The recommended kits are from Hobby Craft and Hasegawa. Your budget will determine which one you choose!

The colouring on these beasts can be nightmare for the pedantic. How much of the older stocks of RLM 70/71 were used before the newer RLM 81/82 colours got raided, or was there a combination of both…you get what I mean. Thus I will go along with the instructions and call the base scheme RLM 81/82/76. 

Ar 234 B-2 of 1/F/33, 1945

A very interesting aircraft that sees the usual 81/82/76 camouflage over sprayed with either white or light blue (depending on the reference material you read) on the upper surfaces. The Werknummer is seen on the tail above the white outlined Harkenkreuz and the aircraft’s code letter can be seen in black below both wings. This “C” is white on the fuselage, which is marked as “BH+CF” 

Ar 234 B-2 of Kommando Sommer, 1945

A more usual, if somewhat plain scheme can be seen on “T9+DH”. It has the normal splinter pattern of RLM 81/82/76 with no additional colouring. As expected the Harkenkreuz is of the white outline type and the Werknummer sits above this.

The letter “D” appears under both wing positions, out board of the Balkenkreuze and again is in black. This aircraft differs from the others on the sheet in that the underwing crosses have solid black centre with the surrounding edging in white. 

Ar 234 B-2 of 1/F/123, flown by Hans Felden, 1945

Sqdr. Ldr. Fairbanks was a Tempest pilot commanding 274 Squadron when he came across “4U+DH” trying to land at Rheine. Thus on 11 February, Felden lost his life as Fairbanks shot the aircraft down. 

It was another of the “snow camouflaged” aircraft and unusually the last part of the rudder was painted all white. The “4U+DH” was in the normal position on the fuselage with the “D” repeated below the wings. The base colour consisted of the regulation RLM 81/82/76.  

Ar 234 B-2 of 9. /KG76, 1945

This aircraft was lost in an accident on November 10 1944 with Uffz. Karl Fritschet dying as a result. That makes the dateline in the header a bit of a mystery.  

It was finished in RLM 81/82/76 with the codes, Werknummer and national markings all in their expected places. The fuselage is brightened by the yellow “N” which, as always, is also seen under the wings in black. 

I can’t remember the last time I had a problem with register on any of this manufacturers sheets. After this release I still can’t. Everything was perfectly aligned with the printing being both sharp and clear. 

The stencil data is most welcome as are the “extras” for the auxiliary power units if used. Another bonus is the strip of “rivets” that are to be used for the canopy. These items were very obvious on the real aircraft so anything that can help the modeller reproduce them is very well received. 

There are three complete sets of national markings so the spares box will definitely be fed. Sensibly the fuel triangles are produced in two separate parts. This stops any potential colour alignment problems.

The carrier film is thin yet strong but I would recommend care with the amount of decal setting solutions you may think you need.

 

Conclusion

This is a very nice sheet that will benefit all builders of the Arado 234.

The offered choices provide plenty of variety as well as a challenge for those that like tackling “snow camouflage”. 

Recommended

Thanks to Eagle Strike Productions for the review sample.
 

Review Text Copyright © 2005 by Robert Baumgartner
Page Created 20 January, 2005
Last updated 20 January, 2005

Back to HyperScale Main Page