ICM released their 1/48 JU88 in 2015 so it is the same vintage as their Do17. It shares some of the engineering of the DO17 but is better executed. The parts are also cleaner moulded than the Do17 parts.
Only one aspect of this build gave me problems and that is the fit of the nacelles. The instructions tell you to cement the undercarriage into place first and then for the nacelles to be fitted over the top. The problem is that the nacelles fit tight around the u/c leaving no play to slide the ‘knuckle’ sticking out the front of the u/c into a recess in the front firewall. There is simply no angle that can achieve this so the only answer was to cut off that knuckle close to the u/c leg. Even then there was not enough play to slide a lip on the top half of the wing under the nacelle so that too had to be sanded off. After that and after some sanding of the ‘lugs’ so they could fit into the wing it all went together well. There was quite a lot of filling and sanding to do but it still produced a really nice JU88.
If you are planning a build of this kit, don’t be put off by this as it was an enjoyable build. You might want to try fitting the U/C through the nacelle before cementing the u/c into place. That said you might still find the need to cut off some of the knuckle and also trim the tabs.
Anyway, here are the pics…
Only one aspect of this build gave me problems and that is the fit of the nacelles. The instructions tell you to cement the undercarriage into place first and then for the nacelles to be fitted over the top. The problem is that the nacelles fit tight around the u/c leaving no play to slide the ‘knuckle’ sticking out the front of the u/c into a recess in the front firewall. There is simply no angle that can achieve this so the only answer was to cut off that knuckle close to the u/c leg. Even then there was not enough play to slide a lip on the top half of the wing under the nacelle so that too had to be sanded off. After that and after some sanding of the ‘lugs’ so they could fit into the wing it all went together well. There was quite a lot of filling and sanding to do but it still produced a really nice JU88.
If you are planning a build of this kit, don’t be put off by this as it was an enjoyable build. You might want to try fitting the U/C through the nacelle before cementing the u/c into place. That said you might still find the need to cut off some of the knuckle and also trim the tabs.
Anyway, here are the pics…
