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Hasegawa 1/32 Ju-87G Stuka “Kanonvogel” |
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Kit Number ST25 |
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Reviewed By Dave Morrissette, #33653 |
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MSRP: $59.95 USD Eagle Editions EagleCals #98 Ju87 Stuka Decal Sheet: $11.50 |
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Hasegawa has thrown its design and quality kit making skills into the 1/32
scale ring again with the first release of the Ju87G Stuka.
The kit consists of a dozen gray sprues of wonderfully engraved panel
lines and subtle rivets. There is a very thin a clear sprue of
clear parts and in the initial release, the kit also comes with a white
metal version of Colonel Hans Rudel and his dog.
The first thing you notice upon opening the kit is the sheer size of the plane and kit parts. The Stuka was a large plane is very sizeable in 1/32 scale. Construction starts with the cockpit. Detailed is good but could be more so with some aftermarket PE or resin (which I am sure will come). It will really show through the green house canopies. Pilot and gunner figures are also included. Like most Hasegawa kits, there are multiple parts from here on out which will lead to different variants. This kit can either be built as a G-1 or G-2 variant. The fuselage is straightforward but don’t forget to punch the holes for the add-on armor if your kit is using it. Once together, the forward cowling and engine are is separate and the fit is excellent throughout. Construction of the wings is next and they are built to hold the weight and do so perfectly. The wing outer panels (past the gull wing joints) are built separately and depending on the G-1 or G-2 variant you are building, you add specific wing tips and covers. The center section consists of an upper and lower wing along with a VERY stout spar that makes the wings very firm to support the weight and also insures proper dihedral- great foresight and engineering! The outer wings are added to the inner wing/spar and with careful work, the fit is good. I did have to fill and sand the seam that joins on the stiffener built into the wing but it wasn’t a big deal. The wing fuselage fit was excellent and here I had a decision to make- add the flaps/ailerons. They are delicate and can be knocked off. I made the decision to add them and never knocked them off – minor miracle actually. I added all the rest of the tail parts and again, fit was excellent. My only mistake when building was adding the spats for the wheel. In hindsight I should have left the spats off and painted them separately. Once excellent point, the wheels are done in such a way, you don’t have to trap them in the spats. They can be added later and this reduces your masking. I added a few more bits, Future waxed the canopy (and spent an eternity masking it) and I was ready for paint. I chose a scheme from the Eagle Editions Ju87 Stuka Luftflotte 4 sheet depicting G-1 in RLM 70/71 over RLM 65 scheme. Jerry Crandall and Eagle Editions are some of the best in the biz at WWII Luftwaffe and the research and details. There are excellent color drawing as well as details and included. I used Xtracolor enamels through out after pre-shading the model. While the paint dried, I built up the nicely detailed under wing cannons, propeller and wheels. A note here is that Hasegawa includes a complete set of decals to do the canopy and frame (as well as two nice schemes and paper masks to add winter camouflage). I tested the canopy masks to give a fair review and they looked OK but I still like the look of the masked and painted canopy better. I do hope someone releases a masking set for the canopy as it would save a lot of time. I added the Eagle Editions Decals and they went down absolutely beautifully - perfect register and great opacity. I flat coated the kit, added and added some post shading using smoke colored acrylics to match the drawings on the Eagle Editions sheet. The small bits were added (which in this case weren’t all the small) and the kit was done. I can unequivocally recommend the Hasegawa kit - it is a great build and is a pleasure to have sitting on the shelf. The super detailers will want to add things to the kit and Hasegawa provides the perfect palette. THE OOB crowd and get a great replica with what’s in the kit. The addition of the Eagle-Editions decals is also highly recommended as they fit and apply beautifully. Go get both if you haven’t, you’ll love them! |
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