1/32 Battle of Britain build part 2- Stuka! Trumpeter's Ju 87 b-2

[stona]

Quick question: I've got a cockpit colour call out as predominantly 02 with a floor of 66? That can't be right, can it?!!!

Paul

Surely one or the other. I have good quality images of the inside of a B-2, particularly a series showing the rear gunners position. The interior colour is obviously RLM 02 but the canopy framing, handle to rotate central glazed panel of the gun mount and seat frame are all a much darker colour, presumably RLM 66. We know that Junkers was using RLM 66 before 1940.

All these images also show magazines for the machine gun which are a good reference.

If I was doing a B or R series Ju 87 from the BoB period I would do the interior in RLM 02 without some very good evidence to the contrary.

Cheers

Steve

[tr1ckey66]

That's what I thought. I'm going with RLM 02. I'm sure I've seen the internal framing in a lighter colour too. I'll check what photographic reference I have, if nothing conclusive comes up I'll go with the darker (in black and white photography terms) RLM 66. Yes, the dark colour (black) of the mg15 ammo boxes will be a good reference point.

Cheers Steve

[tr1ckey66]

Cockpit Progress

Managed to get quite a bit done over the weekend and thought I'd post.

I'm going to try, as far as possible, to show every single step in this build and try and cover any techniques I use.

Anyway, here's the cockpit coming together...

First up the parts ready for priming. I deviated from the instructions by mating the cockpit side wall to the fuselage halves first (the instructions tell you to complete the cockpit as a unit and insert). The reason I did this was to test fit the fuselage fit with the cockpit in place. If you glue the floor to the port side cockpit wall with liquid cement and then glue this to the port side fuselage half, then glue the starboard cockpit wall to the starboard fuselage half you will have time to test fit the 2 halves together, whilst the glue is curing, and ensure the fit is good. I hope that made sense lol!!! Also, if you know all this sorta stuff then just skim this bit



Fit is extremely good...



Once the glue had dried it was time for some paint - halfords primer followed by RLM 02. I use a variety of paint brands but I'm really fond of Lifecolor (other paint brands are available lol!!!)



The shot below shows a few steps ahead

You notice I've added some cabling, using lead wire of various gauges, also most of the Eduard internal Zoom set has been used. I am disappointed that Eduard did not include PE pilots foot rests and I'm off to raid the spares box to find some replacements. There's still a lot to do in this office: more PE, more detail painting (the rear gun spent-cartridge bin is actually a canvas bag and will be painted accordingly), pin washes, scratches and general scuffing up and then the seat belts.



Should be a busy enough place when done.

I have to say that this cockpit is an impression of a Stuka interior and not an exact replica. To replicate the real thing would require far more info than I have and months of scratch building. This is good enough for me at this stage, it is far more important for me that the exterior be right than have every switch and dial in the right place in an internal space that is difficult to see anyway.

That's it for now, but I should have the cockpit complete and the fuselage together next post.

Cheers

P

[Guest]

I use a variety of paint brands but I'm really fond of Lifecolor (other paint brands are available lol!!!)

This made me chuckle, lol.

The cockpit is gorgeous, I can't wait to see it weathered up.

[Ian M]

Nice office so far.

Ian M

[Dave W]

Great work on the cockpit Paul.

[flyjoe180]

Nice work Paul, that cockpit is looking very good.

[tr1ckey66]

Thanks Andy, Ian, Dave and Joe

Should have some pics of a complete cockpit tomorrow

Cheers

Paul

[The Migrant]

I have a lot of admiration for modellers like yourself who'll do the research and take the time to correct a manufacturer's flaws (unlike me who'd either not buy the kit in the first place, or chicken out and build it from the box). It looks excellent so far, and even though it's not a scale/subject I'd be likely to build, I'll follow it closely and hope that some of your commitment/dedication wears off on me...

[tr1ckey66]

Thanks Mike. I think I could have done with researching this project a little more though. I have scant info on the cockpit and for the most part have gone with 'making the office look busy' and trusting Eduard's PE and other builds. I'm still unsure as to whether the spent-cartridge bin is a rigid structure or a canvas bag, I've seen it modelled both ways. In the end I've painted it as a canvas bag with an internal frame. If you don't know what this is it can be seen to the rear of the cockpit and is a beige colour.

Anyhoo, here's the cockpit so far...



Please be aware that the wiring here is based loosely on a tech drawing I found but should not be taken as factual.

Disclaimer: Remember when rewiring your Stuka always use your approved local Junkers Ju87 dealership to ensure trouble-free dive bombing for years to come...







I've also detailed the gun bays which I'll probably close up but at least this gives me the option...



The fit of the wings here is a bit loose and required a thin fillet of plastic card to fill a small gap. I prefer doing this than using filler - it's a neater finish and is stronger. I also removed the starboard front walkway detail which is wrong.



Which brings me onto the next alt to the kit. There is a viewing window from the cockpit through to the underside of the aircraft which has a clear part both top and bottom. According to Simon on LSP this was actually a shutter on the B2 that was retracted to check the bomb has been loosed. The reason for this is that the viewing window would become covered in oil and grime from the engine and would be rendered useless. To rectify this the Germans installed a shutter system and dispensed with the lower window. Now I'm also informed that this shutter is a different shape to the kit , and judging by the example at Hendon (this system was carried over to the D type) it is, but I'm not going to worry about that. To go someways to rectifying this I'm simply going to paint the lower window with the rest of the lower fuselage, the top window stays as is and the internals get a coat of RLM02. Hope this makes sense...



And that's it for now, there may be a short break as I work commitments but hopefully I'll be back at the weekend with the cockpit finally finished and the fuselage buttoned up.

TTFN

Paul

[stona]

I'm still unsure as to whether the spent-cartridge bin is a rigid structure or a canvas bag, I've seen it modelled both ways.TTFN

Paul

It changed around the B-2 production from one to the other. I can't remember which way and I'm stuck in a studio in the middle of nowhere (it encourages us to actually do some work ). I might get a chance to check tomorrow morning.

Great work on that interior, it looks the dog's you know whats.

Cheers

Steve

[Ian M]

That cock pit looks the biz!

love the disclaimer by the way! lol

Ian M

[yak face]

Top class cockpit Paul! cheers tony

[flyjoe180]

As Tony said, top work Paul.

[stona]

The round bag attached to the underside of the gun was replaced by a chute and a large sack positioned under the gun. It was found that the original system made the gun hard to manoeuvre in combat.

The pictures I have of a B-2 show the later system but I don't know at what point the change was made.

Cheers

Steve