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First Look Review
132
Junkers Ju 88A-1
  • Techmod_32038_Colours

by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

Revell's highly impressive 1/32 scale Ju 88A-1 has understandably got largescale modellers excited with its combination of excellent detail and almost astonishingly low price. It comes complete with good-looking decals, but anyone who's had mixed experiences with Revell decals in the past will welcome the release of aftermarket alternatives - particularly when they come from one of the best in the business, Techmod.

Sheet #32038 is colossal and includes a complete new set of national markings (in fact, it's two sheets really, thanks to Techmod providing a small additional set of swastikas as an alternative to those on the main sheet which are sliced in half to get past the censors in some countries), unit insignia for three aircraft, and a comprehensive set of maintenance stencilling. To me the latter is a real bonus, because I was expecting to have to rely on the kit sheet for the stencils.

The markings provided are:

1. 9K HS
2. L1 ER
3. 4D DC

Oddly, although references are given for each scheme, no unit data is provided. However, a hasty check in Schiffers "Luftwaffe Codes, Markings & Units 1939-1945" yielded the following: 8/KG 51 "Edelweiss", 7/LG 1and II Gruppe Stab/KG30 "Adler" respectively.

The quality of the decals themselves is every bit as good as we've come to expect from Techmod - thin and glossy, with perfect registration and minimal carrier film. The decals are backed up with full colour illustrations and a 4-view stencilling guide.

We're often spoiled with bonuses in Techmod decal sets - sometimes canopy masks, sometimes small frets of etched details. No such luck this time - just a whopping great set of beautifully printed decals, pure and simple.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for fresh markings for Revell's Ju 88.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Superbly printed. Full colour camouflage guides.
Lows: No unit information provided.
Verdict: An excellent set of national markings, unit insignia and stencils that completely replaces the kit decals.
Percentage Rating
85%
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: 32038
  Suggested Retail: N/K
  PUBLISHED: Mar 04, 2009
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.50%

Our Thanks to Adalbertus Miniatures!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

Thanks for the great review. I've building the Ju-88 right now, and was wondering about the decalling options out there, so this is very helpful. Clicking on the link in the article, it doesn't seem that this set is available yet. Do you happen to have any idea when it will likely be around, and which UK retailers might carry it?
MAR 04, 2009 - 03:33 PM
Hi Ian there are two stockists in the UK that might stock the aforementioned decals when they become available 1) Hannants 2) The Aviation Hobby Shop
MAR 04, 2009 - 04:11 PM
   
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