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Junkers Ju-52 "Ibaté" airliner, Aeroposta Argentina - Modified Italeri 1/72nd kit


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Beautifully clunky, or clunkily beautiful, the Junkers Ju-52 is known by all.

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Historical notes pertinent to the Argentinean machines and model construction intricacies can be found in the building article:

 

A product of the great mind of Hugo Junkers -who the despicable and utterly rotten nazis ousted of his own company and basically pushed to death-  the Ju-52 became a symbol of roughness and endurance, flying even today.

I have chosen for this model a more uplifting role and destiny, a nicer guise under which its industrial lines can be better appreciated, with a colorful scheme used in the southern routes by Aeroposta Argentina, in vivid red and metal to make it as conspicuous as possible during cold weather there.

That high-vis scheme saved many lives on July 1946, since Ibaté had a panne on the snow and ice during bad weather, but was quickly spotted by another Aeroposta plane. It took a few days for a land-based rescue party to arrive and evacuate the crew and passengers (during that time they stayed inside the plane), and some more days of walking and horse-riding for all of them to arrive to safety.

The plane was later repaired in situ, and eventually flown off to continue its service.

The incredible saga of Aeropostale -and its successor Aeroposta Argentina- is a wonderful tale of adventure and daring, a romantic endeavor elevated to mythical proportions, and its pilots, French and Argentinean, legendary for their skill and courage.

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All of the available 1/72 kits of the Ju-52 need many corrections to depict the truly civil version of the type, since the kits in the market (and many of the converted real machines) are just ex-military frames adapted to civil use (which poses for the modeler a  doors and hatches issue).

The necessary set was commissioned from Arctic Decals, no model would exists without them.

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So here it is, a strange metallic bird flying over the Argentinean coastal and Patagonian landscapes, bravely enduring the harsh weather conditions and the scarcity of resources, aptly and boldly flown by its pilots.

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Yeah what is left to say after all your previous supermodels, it's simply stunning again.

 

Also you know to make photos, many leave out angles that show the plane like a person would see it while walking around it, those are the most pleasing IMO.

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13 minutes ago, occa said:

Yeah what is left to say after all your previous supermodels, it's simply stunning again.

 

Also you know to make photos, many leave out angles that show the plane like a person would see it while walking around it, those are the most pleasing IMO.

You are very kind, thanks!

I agree on the photos, good photos present the model in a way that shows many angles and vistas, helping to visually apprehend the shapes and details.

Cheers

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9 minutes ago, Jeddahbill said:

Superb work - beautiful paint work!  Decals never want to cooperate for me on these corrugated surfaces, but you have persuaded them to be nice and conform!

 

Bill

Thanks Bill

And yes, decals on corrugations, one of the many stumbling stones of the meandering modeling roads.

4 minutes ago, Andwil said:

Another lovely model and a fascinating back story.

 

AW

Your kindness has no end, AW.

Cheers

 

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A stunning model that deserves better than being boxed up and consigned to the gloom and darkness under the stairs, in company nevertheless.

 

As observed above, a superb decalling job on unco-operative plastic, a beautiful paint job and intimate photography.

A tour de force, Moa !

Rog

 

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12 minutes ago, roginoz said:

A stunning model that deserves better than being boxed up and consigned to the gloom and darkness under the stairs, in company nevertheless.

 

As observed above, a superb decalling job on unco-operative plastic, a beautiful paint job and intimate photography.

A tour de force, Moa !

Rog

 

Much kind of you, Rog!

Cheers

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13 minutes ago, roginoz said:

A stunning model that deserves better than being boxed up and consigned to the gloom and darkness under the stairs, in company nevertheless.

Let's think of it as a Japanese hotel (the ones with the "capsules" you slide into) for models.

But if anyone wants to buy me a castle on the countryside or the shore of a beautiful sea with room for me, my wife, and 350 models exhibited in a dust-free, climate-controlled environment and good lighting, I will certainly not say no! 😉

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6 hours ago, Moa said:

And in the box it goes, but  with two friends to make company.

Funny, I was trying to think of something to suggest after the HP-42/45 build and stumbled upon the Kangaroo build!  The Junkers is in good company indeed!

 

Beautiful results as usual.  The "high-viz" scheme really meshes with the corrugated surface and the Argentinian tri-color on the rudder.  Outstanding all around.

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10 hours ago, Bronzemeister said:

Funny, I was trying to think of something to suggest after the HP-42/45 build and stumbled upon the Kangaroo build!  The Junkers is in good company indeed!

 

Beautiful results as usual.  The "high-viz" scheme really meshes with the corrugated surface and the Argentinian tri-color on the rudder.  Outstanding all around.

Thanks Bronzemeister!

5 hours ago, loloskymaster said:

Hello,

Another nice build in original colors. Great Ju-52😍

And very nice pictures. 

 

Lolo

Thanks Lolo!

Glad you enjoyed it.

Cheers

 

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