Pro Modeler Ju 52/3m Transport
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- 1. Top final.
The Junkers Ju 52 was to the Luftwaffe, what the C-47 was to the allies during WWII. It was invaluable on virtually all fronts of the war as both a cargo and troop transport. Initially designed as a single engine, it flew first in 1930, but was modified in 1931 as a Tri-Motor. Interesting how the wing engines are canted outwards. The aircraft remained in production from 1931 through 1952. In its civilian role it flew with over 12 airlines, including Swissair, and Deutsche Luft Hansa. Large numbers were still in service up into the 1980's. Even today, several aircraft remain in service typically used in heritage aviation displays and sightseeing.
I picked up this older (1999) kit from eBay a couple of years ago. I've always like Revell/Monogram's Pro Modeler series for its detail and generally good engineering. This is a large kit for 1/48, and awkward at times on the bench. I really did not have any fit issues but as you will see on the second to last photo, I believe the fuselage warped when released from the molds. The cockpit seat details were a bit lacking so I replaced them with Eduard. I also used Eduard PE seatbelts throughout.
The below YouTube video was invaluable as a reference for opening the molded hatches, painting, detailing and weathering. I kept chipping to a minimum as advised by others on my Bristol Blenheim article. Really appreciate the critiques in this forum.
https://youtu.be/Zr6YNZdHkBE?si=7dAytEe1bAKMt6zr
Please see build notes on some of the photos attached. All in all it was an enjoyable build. Happy Modeling!
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- 1. Bottom final.
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- 1. Love the variety of open hatch options in this kit. Makes for great viewing of interior details. Starboard side showing gunners entry and cargo hatches. not sure what the top hatch was used for? That circular antenna is two pieces and super delicat
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- 1. Port side showing access for paratroopers to load.
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- 1. Finished cockpit, radio and navigation stations.
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- 1. Finished cockpit with washes applied. Pilot and copilot seats aftermarket by Eduard.
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- 1. Paratrooper benches and crew jump seats. PE seatbelts by Eduard. "Dirt" washes applied.
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- 1. Closing it up. Cabin masking applied. The fuselage was VERY flimsy until the roof was glued into place.
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- 1. Masked and "stuffed" in prep for priming.
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- 1. I applied two coats of black Mr. Surfacer.
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- 1. For my "Luftwaffe Blue" I really like the Tamiya XF-23 Light Blue and "dirty" it up a bit in the final weather stage.
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- 1. Camo pattern kinda sorta followed the instructions. Dark green is Tamiya XF-27 Black Green. Lighter green I lightened up with white, the Tamiya XF-58 Olive Green.
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- 1. Engine details. If you build this kit, follow the engine assembly directions TO THE LETTER. The nose engine parts are not common as the port and starboard ones. I drilled out the exhaust ports and went green up top, yellow on bottom.
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- 1. Original kit decals were in pretty bad shape. They broke up a lot, and I had a lot of "silvering" issues. Tried to remove them but they were on there! I decided stiff brush as much as I could off and paint over. Kinda wish I left it this way...
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- 1. New decal set by AIMS. really had to work the Micro Sol over a few days to get them to dig into the detailing. The corrugated surface detail is tough to work with. This model is BIG. Trash can prop was perfect to let the Micro Sol set on the sides!
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- 1. Makeup sponges are super helpful for propping/gluing doors.
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- 1. Note warp of fuselage dips the right wing and slightly twists the tail to port. Oh well. Only so much you can do.
Very well done
Nice work. The weathering looks great. The military avation museum in Virginia Beach has one and there a lot bigger airplane than I thought they were.
Great result on this large model. Love the camouflage colours and the little extra yellow bits to add some extra contrast. Great number of details, it really looks busy like the real thing. The large dorsal hatch ought to be for heavy items to be loaded by crane direct into the cargo compartment. The canted wing mounted engines are to counter any tendency to swing the aircraft if losing one of the engines.
Excellent job, Joe!
Thanks for the video link, really helpful!
Great job on a classic aircraft, Joe @jboyla! 😁 She looks good from any angle; your paintwork really seals the deal! 👍
Back in the late 1980s, a Ju-52 landed at our airport here in Cameron, Texas. It had been freshly painted in Arkansas, iirc, and was on its way back to Midland, Texas and its home in the Commemorative Air Force. The crew stayed overnight in town, and I was among a crowd who watched it take-off next day. The plane ran off the turning "apron" at one end of the runway and got stuck in the soft earth. A couple of WWII-vets here drove down in a Suburban, latched onto the Tante Ju and pulled her back onto the runway! And in a bit, she was lifting off and circling us once before flying off into the Southwestern sky. 😊
My compliments to you sir! A great finished product and kudos to you for overcoming the defects in the kit itself. I like your thorough and detailed photos and text, always appreciate well written and informed articles such as yours. Overall, an excellent finished model, BRAVO!
Fantastic result, Joe @jboyla
The level of detailing is impressive, well done.
Your build is extremely well done.
Well done, Joe. First rate. Hopefully that nice cockpit can be seen...
Thanks Gary. Yes, the cockpit is fairly visible as the canopy is BIG (photo 4), a bit of a "greenhouse".
Great job. Love the weathering.
Not too many three engined planes around and you’ve done a great job on this one.
Exclllent result on that big beast, Joe. I did one of those 20+ years ago in Spanish livery. I've been wanting to do another in Luftwaffe colors ...someday. They're still good kits!
A very nice build! Looks great.
@jboyla - Fantastic work on this build. The interior is really incredibly well detailed. Paint, weathering, it's all very nicely done.