Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner
 

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

 

FirstLook

This is part 2 of Eagle Strike’s Arado 234 series. In common with the earlier release, it covers the B-2 variant and offers four more schemes to entice the builder. 

As mentioned in the review of part 1, there is a lot that is unknown about the finish of these aircraft. One can’t be pedantic and say that old stocks of RLM 70 and 71 were not used despite the introduction of the newer RLM 81 and 82. It is quite possible that combinations of old and new were utilised.

The same can even be said for RLM 65 and 76. Sensibly Eagle Strike alerts the modeller to this possibility and allows them to make up their own mind. For the purposes of the review, all aircraft are assumed to be in the later colours. 

Ar 234 B-2 of
9. /KG76.

This aircraft was shot down by Thunderbolts and later taken to Farnborough for evaluation purposes.

Finished in RLM 81/82 upper surfaces and RLM 76 lower surfaces, it had an additional spray of either white or light blue depending on the sources you believe. This was done in a rather scrappy manner and would be an interesting challenge to the modeller.  

Coded as “F1+MT”on the fuselage, the “M” is also repeated in black under the wings. Of interest is that the letter is also replicated on top of the tail in yellow. Eagle Strike provide for all this on their sheet. 

Ar 234 B-2 of Kommando Spirling 1944.

This is a more sedate scheme with only the fuselage code letters breaking the monotony.

The code “T9+HH” is over the normal RLM 81/82/76 finish and the black Werknummer is at the top of the tail. Once again the aircraft code letter is repeated under the wing in black. 

Ar 234 B-2 of 8. /KG 76

This aircraft was flown by Ofw. Friedrich Bruchlos and was used in the attack on the Remagen bridge. Nothing more was known about its fate until 1975 when German civilians uncovered parts of the airframe as well as the remains of Bruchlos.  

Camouflaged in RLM 81/82/76, it has its engine cowl rings painted in red. This colour is also used for the “A” in its fuselage code “F1+AS”. The Werknummer of 140342 is found on top of the tail above the usual white outlined Hakenkreuz 

Ar 234 B-2 of KG76

Finished in the same manner as the aircraft above “F1+CH” also wore the usual RLM 81/82/76 scheme. It too had a red cowl ring and aircraft letter. Along with all the other options, it displayed its Werknummer above the Hakenkreuz. A black letter “C” is provided for each side of the obligatory wing under surface positions. 

The decal sheet is well printed and good use is made of every available space. All items were in perfect register and the colour density was very good. Stencil data is included and here it was clear and legible.

The instructions give an idea of how some of this is applied but direct the modeller to the kit for further information.  

A bonus is the inclusion of the rivet detail that is found around the canopy. Here the manufacturers have provided thin strips of dots to replicate these items…how thoughtful. Make sure the canopy surface has had some priming to allow the decals to stick properly. Your favourite clear coat should suffice.

As with Part I, there is a lot of stuff crammed onto this sheet. Although the options are similar to the earlier release, the extra variety presented will allow you build exactly the machine you want.

Recommended

Thanks to Eagle Strike Productions for the review sample.
 

Review Text Copyright © 2005 by Robert Baumgartner
Page Created 23 January, 2005
Last updated 22 January, 2005

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