Junkers Ju88G-6 'Berlin Radar'

[Paul A H]

Junkers Ju88G-6 ‘Berlin Radar’

1:72 Hasegawa

Arguably the most successful of the fighter variants derived from the flexible Ju88 design, the ‘G’ series was developed specifically for the night fighting role. The first of the series, the Ju88G-1, entered production in 1943. This type enjoyed reasonable success until one fateful day in July 1944, when an example accidently landed at RAF Woodbridge thus divulging the secrets of the FuG 220 Lichtenstein radar, which was swiftly jammed. The Ju88G-6 series followed, featuring a range of increasingly advanced radar sets, including the centimetre-wave FuG 240 Berlin, which had been developed using technology recovered from a crashed Mosquito.

The Ju88G-6 was powered by Jumo 213A inline engines, giving the aircraft a maximum speed of 360mph. Armament was catered for by 20mm cannons fitted both in the belly pack (4 firing forwards) and in the upper fuselage (2 firing obliquely forwards and upwards). It is thought that no more than 15 of the Berlin radar equipped aircraft were completed before the end of the war.

The latest incarnation of Hasegawa’s Ju88/188 series arrives in the usual top-opening box jam packed with no fewer than 24 sprues. This sounds like an awful lot, but many of the sprues are quite small and 3 of them hold only 1 part each. In some cases only 1 or 2 parts on a sprue are used, so there will be plenty of leftovers for the spares box. A set of poly caps, a small fret of etch parts and a sheet of decals completes the package. The quality of mouldings is typical of this manufacturer; clean, crisp detail and beautifully rendered panel lines. No sink marks and no flash are present on any of the parts. The etch parts are very fine and cater for the various radar antennae and gun sights needed to complete this particular model.

As is the case with the other kits in Hasegawa’s Ju88 series, construction is made slightly more complex by the engineering of the kit, which has enabled Hasegawa to squeeze the maximum number of variants from their moulds. As you might expect, construction begins with the crew compartment. The cockpit itself is very nicely detailed; instrument panels and consoles are rendered with delicate, raised detail, but decals are also provided as an option. As well as the cockpit and tail wheel, a wing spar also has to be fitted before the fuselage halves are joined up, and this will add strength to the finished model.

The wings and engine nacelles are next up. The poly caps that are provided will allow the propellers to be fitted without the need for glue, thus leaving them fully poseable. Following the addition of the tail planes come all the fiddly bits; undercarriage, ailerons and then a multitude of delicate etch metal aerials. Mercifully, the instructions point out the precise drilling locations for all these aerials, and they should look the business once in place. Last but not least is the radome... or rather radomes, for in this kit Hasegawa provide not only the conventional nosecone for the FuG 240 Berlin radar, but also the narrower nosecone for the FuG 220 Morgenstern radar. The transparent parts feature delicate raised detail and appear to be nice and clear.

Three colour options are provided: two Berlin radar equipped aircraft of NJG4 and 5 respectively and a single Morgenstern equipped aircraft of NJG4. Decals look nicely printed, with clear, bold colours. Swastikas are included for the vertical tailplane.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that this is a high-quality kit. The whole package has the look and feel of a premium product, which of course it is. It certainly looks as though a fantastic model can be produced straight from the box and the additional etch parts are very welcome, although it might have been nice if a few extras like seatbelts had been included. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of UK distributors for

[Mike]

Good review Paul. I'm getting a growing attachment for the 88... must get some more in 1:48

[Antoine]

Many thanks for the review, Paul.

This is the only haseg Ju-88 box missing in my stash!

But not for long I'm afraid!

[The wooksta V2.0]

Recommended? At £50? I think not! I have four of the G1 kits which I paid £22 approx in 2007 when they were released - how can Amerang justify a 100%+ increase in price for two or three extra sprues and some different decals? The words extortion and profiteering are ringing loud in my ears.

Beautifully tooled and moulded it may be but at 50 notes, it can stay on the shelf. And I suspect many other UK modellers will think the same.

[FalkeEins]

.. I dunno, by the time you've paid for all the extras to bring the Zvezda G-6 up to a similar standard it all adds up.

[jimbuna]

Good review.