Junkers Ju 88 G-1 Detail Set

Voyager, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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Hasegawa's brand new 1/72 scale Junkers Ju 88 G-1 is undoubtedly the best Ju 88 night fighter have been released in 1/72 scale, but there are a few irritations with the kit.

First and foremost, this model suffers from the common Hasegawa ailment, "insert-itis". Hasegawa wants to get the best value out of a single set of moulds, so the nose of the Ju 88 G-1 (exterior only) is made up of seven parts. Four of these are blank inserts for windows that are relevant only for other variants. Considerable care and additional filling and sanding will be required to eliminate unwanted panel lines and join seams. Also, there are a number of visible ejector pin marks in the cockpit. These will be difficult to deal with thanks to the surrounding raised detail. A number of smaller details are also a bit chunky or overscale, notably the radar arrays.

Voyager has wasted no time producing a detail and upgrade set that addresses all of these issues.

Voyager's 1/72 scale Junkers Ju 88 G-1 Upgrade and Detail Set comprises 11 parts cast in cream coloured resin; three photo-etched frets; a printed acetate sheet for the instruments and instructions.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The main resin part is the one-piece nose. This is a clever casting that will eliminate the need to align and sand all those window inserts. Cockpit sidewall, floor and rear bulkhead detail is cast in place, including the deep radios on the back wall. Casting on this part is perfect, with no evidence of pin holes or other imperfections. Detail is superior to the kit cockpit interior too.

The cockpit is further treated to three replacement seats. These are thinner and more authentic than the kit parts. All the kit seats also suffer from some nasty ejector pin holes on their backs.

Remaining resin parts include a separate rudder and elevators, flaps and wheels. These resin parts are all beautifully detailed and perfectly cast, with recessed panel lines where appropriate to match the Hasegawa kit. Some cutting of Hasegawa's kit will be required to install the new control surfaces.

Photo-etched parts are contained on three frets. These contain new engine fans, harnesses, instrument panel, gear doors, oleo scissors, aileron actuators, radar arrays and other smaller details.

Instructions are supplied on two double sided and folded sheets.

Voyager's Upgrade set will plenty of extra detail to all the areas that really need it, especially the nose, the cockpit, control surfaces and radar.

Some experience working with resin and photo-etch will be helpful when tackling this project. However, with care, preparation and test-fitting, the result will be a truly stunning model.

Highly Recommended to moderately experienced modellers.

Thanks to Voyager Model for the sample

Voyager accessories and conversions are available from specialist hobby outlets online & worldwide

Review Copyright © 2007 by Brett T. Green
This Page Created on 01 August, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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