TommyF Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 (edited) I'm back into plastic modelling after getting on for 40 years I love the idea of Group Builds and this is my Stuka STGB entry - an Academy 1/72 JU87G-1 "Tank Buster". Whilst thinking about this Group Build I happened across this YouTube documentary Dive Bombers And Combat Aircrafts Of WW2. The Stuka certainly had an interesting history throughout WW2. This Academy model features two decal sets, one of which was flown by Hptm Hans-Ulrich Rudel one of the most highly decorated Luftwaffe airmen. Many thanks Tom Edited March 16, 2020 by TommyF 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Congratulations to your first Group Build Tom - hopefully the first of many! I too got back into scale model building after a long gap five years ago and I am finding it a rewarding experience. So I hope that you will enjoy your Academy Stuka build. Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silenoz Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted February 22, 2020 Author Share Posted February 22, 2020 (edited) Mostly enjoying this Stuka - progress compilation below. Although I have recently bought the main colours for this model RLM 65, 70 & 71 I didn't have any RLM 66 'Black Gray' so mixed up some cheap WHSmith acrylics paints. They were a little shiny but once in the fuselage shouldn't be an issue. The decal for instrument panel was interesting - it just didn't want to stick. After repeated attempts considered using some glue but in the end left it out, painted that panel with the same mix as above and picked up some details in a light gray. In step 5 I was a little taken aback by the instruction to drill 14 holes in the lower wing panel. These are required to fit the radiators and cannon. Not having a drill that small I wiggled a darning type needle (!) back and forth until a hole appeared the other side. Also found a great resource with scale drawings and plans which has been and will be very helpful https://scale-model-aircraft.com/plans-drawings/interwar-aviation/junkers-ju-87-stuka Edited February 26, 2020 by TommyF 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted February 24, 2020 Author Share Posted February 24, 2020 Little more progress... It's not a Spitfire I grant you but there is a certain beauty emerging. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Keep up the good work. Innovation is part of the hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted February 26, 2020 Author Share Posted February 26, 2020 Tailplane additions and propeller on, wheels painted and mighty flak cannons assembled. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREG DESTEC Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Very quick progress Tommy 👍 Your Kannone Bird is looking good! Cheers Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Too bad Academy has never fixed the moulding flaw on the port wing. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hi Chris - If you hadn't of pointed it out I'm not sure if I would have realised it was a fault..! Now I know where to look it stands out like a sore thumb (and on many Academy Stuka images on Flickr. Google & Britmodeller). Now I'm in two minds whether to attempt a fill or leave it as a badge of honour 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Leave it! That looks way to difficult to try to fix it. You could always cover it with a quickly made tarp or tool box. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted February 29, 2020 Author Share Posted February 29, 2020 Having never even considered using primer on a model aircraft 40+ years ago I thought it worth experimenting this time round - plus it looks meaner 🙂 I've also got a query. Do I remove the siren assembly 'stalk' from the landing gear fairings? I've read that the G-1 was derived from late model D-3 which had this assembly removed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 From the photos I have the early Ju 87D's did have the siren. The later ones didn't. All the Ju 87G's I have seen didn't have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 15 hours ago, Greg Law said: From the photos I have the early Ju 87D's did have the siren. The later ones didn't. All the Ju 87G's I have seen didn't have them. Thank you Greg. Beginners mistake on my part - the instructions (eyes open this time) say to cut away the siren assembly parts - (at least I spotted it) better late than never! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Nice progress on your build. The primer does show that some seams could do with some filling if you prefer to have them not visible. Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Don't worry. I built one of these a few years ago from a Hasegawa kit and it had them on it. As I didn't know better they are still on it. Just don't put the litter propeller on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted March 4, 2020 Author Share Posted March 4, 2020 (edited) Painting progressing; Three thin coats RLM 65 (Humbrol 65 Matt - Aircraft Blue) for the underside completed. Followed by three thin coats RLM 70 (Humbrol 241 Matt - Schwartzgrun) for the topside completed. Now starting on the subtle contrasting RLM 71 (Humbrol 242 Matt - Dunkelgrun) and having some fun with masking for the FIRST TIME! Wasn't going to bother but after an experiment there was something about the crisp (perhaps a bit too crisp?) lines that I had to carry on Edited March 4, 2020 by TommyF 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Good move. They do look good with the camo done properly. You seem to be making a good job of this build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 Looks great with the camouflage in place Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 During the painting phase I've been constantly staring at this sheet - just wanted to post it for posterity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share Posted March 9, 2020 Painting complete - now ready for a satin varnish before decals. Then canopy options to choose, paint and fit. Decals, fit the cannons and the landing light and final varnish. Getting there 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted March 15, 2020 Author Share Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) Pretty much finished after getting a bit of shift on Friday, Saturday and today. Overall I'm very happy although it wasn't without its difficulties - the main being the landing light part disappearing into the wing void - oops...! I'm also going to need to practice decals, especially trying to avoid the silvering - I think caused by air underneath. I had planned on the Hptm. Rudel version which had B2 decals on the front of the spats but that really didn't work so swapped to the 1./SG1 version which has a rather lovely yellow nose. Hopefully get some gallery pics in daylight next week. Now to finish the In The Navy Airfix (old) Zero and then crack on with my first Lancaster Edited March 15, 2020 by TommyF 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 Congratulations Tom on a very nice build. It was great to watch you re-discovering the joys of model making! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 Well done. Looks good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 Great to see that you competed the build in your first GB - well done Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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