1:72 Junkers Ju 88 A-4/17 Torpedo Bomber

Junkers Ju 88 A-4 and A-17 torpedo bomber 1:72 (Italeri)

A plastic kit of the German twin-engined bomber Junkers Ju 88 in 1:72 scale from the Italian brand Italeri. The box states two forms: the standard bomber version A-4 and the torpedo-carrying A-17. The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted, and glue and paints are not included in the package. With twin-engined bombers the 1:72 scale is practical, because the finished model has a reasonable span.

The real subject

The Junkers Ju 88 was the most versatile German combat aircraft of the Second World War. It came about as a fast bomber, but it also served as a dive bomber, a night fighter and a reconnaissance machine. The A-4 version had an increased span and more powerful Jumo 211 engines, and it became the most numerous bomber variant. The A-17 version was the torpedo carrier: it received racks for aerial torpedoes and was used against convoys in the North Sea and over the Mediterranean.

Building and painting tips

Glue the plastic parts with a thin cement for plastic, which melts the joint, and apply a thin layer into the seam with a fine brush. Fill and sand the seams, then spray the whole model with a primer, which will reveal any remaining grooves. Decals hold best over a gloss intermediate coat, and a matte clear coat pulls the result together. The cleanest color transitions come from an airbrush; when spraying by hand, apply the paint in several thin coats rather than one heavy one.

Who the model is for

• builders of twin-engined bombers in 1:72 scale
• anyone interested in German Second World War equipment
• modelers who want to choose between the bomber and the torpedo version
• builders with basic experience of plastic kits

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.