|
Junkers W 34Hi
Special Hobby, 1/72 scale
S u m m a r y
|
|
Catalogue Number: |
Special Hobby kit no.
72086 - Junkers W 34Hi with BMW 132 motor |
|
Scale: |
1/72 |
| Contents and
Media: |
59
parts in grey injection moulded plastic; 8 parts in clear
injection moulded plastic; 3 parts in pale yellow resin, decals for
three aircraft. |
| Price: |
USD$28.96 from Squadron.com |
| Review Type: |
FirstLook |
| Advantages: |
Interesting and
unusual subject; terrific corrugated surface detail;
injection moulded canopy; excellent decals. |
| Disadvantages: |
|
|
Recommendation: |
Recommended. |
Reviewed by Brett Green
Special
Hobby's 1/72 scale Junkers W 34Hi is available online from
Squadron.com
We don't get to see too many transport,
trainer and communication aircraft in injection moulded form but, thanks
to Special Hobby, there is now a Junkers W 34Hi (version with BMW 132
motor) on the market.
The Junkers W 34 could carry cargo or up to
six passengers, and saw service with the Luftwaffe and other Axis forces
from their introduction in 1934 until the end of the war. 900 Junkers
W34s of all variants were produced.
Special Hobby continues their 1/72 scale W
34 family with the BMW radial powered version. This kit comprises 59
parts in grey injection moulded plastic, 8 parts in clear injection
plastic and 3 resin parts.
The most striking feature of the kit is the
corrugated texture typical of Junkers transports. This is extremely well
done on all the outer surfaces.
Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:
You might want to spend a bit of extra time ensuring
alignment of the fuselage and wing parts before committing to glue,
though. The corrugations will not be forgiving of putty and sanding!
This kit is not quite as multi-media intensive as
most other Special Hobby offerings. In fact, only three resin parts
supplement the plastic. The main resin parts make up the exhaust
ring for the BMW engine, and it is very nicely done.
Despite the absence of brass and paucity of resin, a
basic interior is supplied in plastic, and the engine (quite
effectively hidden behind a vented face) is a well detailed single
moulding. The cargo door is supplied separately and may be
positioned open, so individual modellers may decide to add more
interior detail to the cargo bay / passenger cabin.
The clear parts are thin and free of distortion.
Markings are supplied for three aircraft that
reflect the versatility of the type - one in Luftwaffe service, a
Finnish example and a post-war Czech W 34.
A few years ago I decided
there was no earthly way that I could build all the models in my
collection, so I sold off all of my 1/72 scale kits.
Even moreso than their larger
counterparts, 1/72 scale is undergoing a revolution largely thanks to
the enthusiasm of eastern European manufacturers including Special Hobby. Many of
the subjects are just too interesting to resist, so my pile of 1/72
scale kits is rapidly growing again.
Being limited run in nature,
Special Hobby's Junkers W 34Hi will require more time in cleanup and
test fitting, and is likely to present a few construction challenges. It
is worth making the effort though, as you will end up with an eye
catching model of an important type that is under-represented in
plastic!
Recommended.
Thanks to MPM/Special Hobby for the review sample.
Review Text and
Images Copyright © 2005 by Brett Green
Page Created 31 May, 2005
Last updated 31 May, 2005
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