Eduard 1/144 Ju 52
By Matt Bittner
Introduction
The first time we reviewed Eduard's 1/144 Ju 52 was back in 2003, when Bob Pearson reviewed all three kit releases at the same time ("standard", float plane and mine sweeper). When comparing the pictures of that review of the "standard" Ju 52, the only difference appears to be the photoetch fret – in this current release, Eduard does not include it with the kit, instead coming out with a more comprehensive set with more detail. In my opinion, a smarter move because not everyone likes photoetch, and those that do will probably prefer everything that's included with the main set anyway.
The Kit
This time Eduard releases their 1/144 Ju 52 in a tan-ish plastic, and not gray-ish. There are 48 pieces of injected plastic, eight pieces of clear, injected plastic, and their mask set, used to mask all clear pieces as well as main wheels. Decals – nicely printed and appear to be in register – are for four aircraft:
- 4V+EU, I./KG zbV 172, Tripolis, North Africa, 1942
- 4U+NH, Operation Merkur, Crete, May, 1941
- 1Z+BF, IV./KGr, zbV 1, South Italia – North Africa, February 1941 – May 1943
- 3U+MT, 9./ZG 26, France, 1940
The side windows are mounted to a piece that is also a part of the fuselage. Once those two pieces (one on each side) are glued to the right and left fuselage pieces, then you can start building up the fuselage. Add the cockpit/main cabin floor assembly to one fuselage side and after gluing the separate windows to each side, glue the fuselage halves together. Pay attention to one aspect of the instructions, though, and do NOT glue the rear fuselage together at top. This is to get the fuselage-top to correctly align with the fuselage sides. In fact, I read one review where the builder had to fiddle with the top and the sides to get them to line up correctly. However, once they were lined up, it sounds like there were no gaps to deal with.
After gluing the fuselage sides together – and everything in between – the rest of the fuselage is built up. According to the instructions you first glue the windscreen to the already built-up fuselage, followed by the rest. As I mentioned above, when you attach the fuselage top to the sides, go slowly – and use liquid cement – so you can be sure everything aligns correctly. After the fuselage top is on, then you glue the vertical tail.Before you start gluing pieces together in the next step, study the instructions because they show you need to open up the holes for the landing gear and engine exhausts. Once the holes are open, build up the wing by gluing the top wing halves to the lower wing. You can now add the wing to the fuselage. However, another thing I read on the same review was the gap that exists between the wings and the wing roots, on the upper side of the model. Whether or not it was just a single example, or throughout the entire production run is something that still needs to be seen.
Since the ailerons stood proud of the wings, those are separate pieces and added next, one per side. The same holds true with the stabs, so those are also added, one per side. The tail wheel is also added now, although this might be best left off until after painting and all masks are removed.
Next is the assembling of the engine/cowls and adding them to the model. Depending on fit, these too could be left off until the end – same with the landing gear, which are also added at this step. The same goes with the nose-engine/exhaust.
Conclusion
The Eduard 1/144 Ju 52 doesn't seem like too difficult a model to assemble. However, you could take it further by purchasing the separate photoetch set for it and go all-out. That would definitely make for stunning model. In any event, the Eduard Ju 52 is a super model, and in 1/144 would look great in anyone's collection.
My thanks to Eduard for the review kit.