Junkers Ju 288C

Huma Modell

Huma's 1/72 scale Junkers Ju 288C is available online at Squadron.com

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Junkers Ju 288 was one of the "Bomber B" projects designed to replace the Junkers Ju 88 and Dornier Do 217. In the event, the entire "Bomber B" programme was cancelled in June 1943 owing to ongoing problems with proposed powerplants and the shortage of strategic materials.

Huma's 1/72 scale Junkers Ju 288C is packed in a sturdy box decorated with an attractive painting of the aircraft in flight.

The kit comprises 122 light grey parts on three sprues and four clear parts. The quality of the injection-moulded plastic parts is very impressive. The texture is smooth, surface detail is engraved, trailing edges of flying surfaces are acceptably thin and sprue attachment points are quite narrow. The clear parts are equally good - a real blessing considering the prominent glasshouse nose.

The distinctive lines of this interesting aircraft are captured well by Huma. The skinny fuselage bulges at the nose, clear blisters protrude from the forward fuselage sides and the peculiar elliptical shape of the engine nacelles for the DB 610 engines is authentically depicted.

This kit displays all of the characteristics of a mainstream offering. Locating pins are provided on all major parts, and engineering has been well thought out to ensure simple construction and a robust fit. For example, the landing gear is moulded integrally with the forward bulkhead in the undercarriage bay. This guarantees both the correct angle for the main undercarriage legs and a very strong bond.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

---

Huma's Ju 288C is adequately detailed for a 1/72 scale kit. The cockpit is fitted out with seats and control column, and instruments are supplied as decals. The bomb bay includes two enormous bombs. However the doors on the fuselage are moulded shut so some surgery will be required if this detail is to be displayed. The detail on the undercarriage is very nice. This aircraft featured remote-control turrets. These are well depicted. If the glue is applied carefully the turrets will rotate and the guns elevate too!

Instructions are supplied on a single foldout sheets using exploded view diagrams. Markings are supplied for one aircraft. The swastikas for the tail are presented as cross-hatched squares owing to European laws prohibiting the publication of symbols of Nazism. These can be adapted to provide the correct markings, or a quick trip to the decal spares box will fix this minor problem.

I was delighted with the quality of Huma's 1/72 scale Junkers Ju 288C. It is an interesting and unique subject, and the engineering of the kit should ensure a fast and enjoyable build.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Squadron.com for the review sample

Review and Images Copyright © 2001 by Brett Green
Page Created 26 October, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page