Airfix 1/24 Junkers Ju 87R-2/TropSt.G3
By Edward Lowdell
This is the classic and great Airfix kit. I decided to use Mike Grant's fantastic decal set. They give this massive kit a very striking appearance.This aircraft was flown by Lt Hubert Polz of St.G 3,Libya in Aug 41. The camouflage was standard African front RLM 78/79/80 except the fuselage pattern was irregular rather than the splinter pattern on the wings and tail planes. Like most African Stukas, this one was over painted in the field after arrival. The original European 70/71 pattern can be seen in the scuffed wing walkways.
I also incorporated the little Airfix prop motor into the Jumo engine and built the model such that all the engine cowls can be removed (this took a bit of jiggery-pokery but works). These aircraft suffered from extreme weathering from both the sun and sand as a result after completing the model using Humbrol enamels, I gave it a coat of slightly milky matt varnish, which gives the effect of sun fading.
This is a very large kit when complete. So plenty of room is needed to display it! But it is certainly a very striking and slightly sinister looking aircraft.
© Edward Lowdell 2006
This article was published on Wednesday, July 20 2011; Last modified on Saturday, May 14 2016