Revell Pro-Modeler 1/32 Junkers Ju 88A-1 Bomber "Build Update #3" (2.20.16)
Hello Chaps,
It's been 11 days since my last update, but I did manage to get more done during that time. At my last update, the cockpit had been assembled into the fuselage halves, and so now, it was time to assemble the rest of the main frame of the aircraft.
I started off by assembling the undercarriage/engine housing components then gluing those onto their corresponding wings. First the portside followed by the starboard side...
But, after dry-fitting a few times to ensure I was assembling the correct parts and joining them to their corresponding wings, I had substantial gaps where the rear component joined the front of the undercarriage housing assembly. I therefore filled the gaps and smoothed them down later when the filler had set...
Next, I assembled the engine housing components and made them ready for assembling onto the wings. One of the engine indicator viewing window lenses was missing off the sprue, so, I cut a square tab marker from a sprue and glued that onto the inside of the engine housing, so that later on, I can fill it with pva glue to create a lens...
I then moved onto assembling the wings to the fuselage, starting with the starboard side, including fitting the engine housing. In the instructions, it indicates that the upper fuselage panel is to be put into place before attaching the wings, but, I left it off so that I could insert fingers inside to press the inside fuselage against the wing to fuselage joint and holding until set. This helped close any minor gap that was present. I used CA glue to give a fast acting and stronger bond...
I then moved onto fitting the portside wing and engine housing, followed by fitting the upper fuselage panel...
The upper fuselage panel was taped into place, and whilst that was setting, I fitted the vertical stabilizer, rudder, horizontal stabilizers and elevators. I taped the horizontal stabilizers to set their position and left them taped until the glue had set solid....
To complete the wings, I needed to add the flaps and ailerons and their actuators. I started with the starboard side, fitting the spacers for the flap first, fitting the flap and aileron. I positioned the flap down, although the instructions indicate them to be horizontal, or retracted. After the starboard side was done, I completed the portside wing...
Because I modeled the flaps down, I then had to modify the length of the flap actuators to fit accordingly...
Next, I got the two components that make up the "fuel dump" assembly and fitted them to the underside of the tail end...
I then moved onto assembling the instrument panel and compass parts into the upper front cowling. The compass face didn't have a decal included to liven it up and make it look like a compass, so, I made an attempt to paint a compass face and then gloss clear coat it to give the appearance of a glass cover...
I then moved onto painting the inside of the navigation light lens housing silver, including the back face of the light. I then fitted them in place....
I then moved onto one of my least favorite tasks, especially with aircraft that have multiple windows/canopies....masking them! This included both the upper and lower canopy assemblies...
With those canopies masked, it was now time to glue them onto the fuselage assembly. I started off my gluing the rear upper fuselage cover that goes over the radio housing, followed by the front upper cowling that the instrument panel and compass are located into...
The gun-sight was next, so, I cut it off the sprue, cleaned it up, glued it in place, then painted it....
I now moved onto fitting the front lower canopy section that wraps around the bomb aimers sight, followed by fitting the very front/nose canopy...
I then assembled the part that makes the lower canopy that includes the drop down hatch through which the crew members climb when boarding and exiting the aircraft. I temporarily located the hatch so that I can display it in the open position...
The three machine gun assemblies were then glued and painted...
Next was assembling all the components into the upper front canopy, including one of the machine guns. But, before assembling the machine gun, I cut the barrel off so that it isn't accidentally broken off and lost to the carpet monster during all the handling that is still left to do before completing the build. I then glued the completed canopy assembly into its location at the front of the cockpit/fuselage. I temporarily located the rear upper canopy, because I want to be able to remove this to show the details within the cockpit....
I then filled the engine indicator lens gap with pva glue and allowed that to set clear to simulate the missing molded lens...
All that was left to do now was to mask the rest of the areas of the plane that I didn't want primer and paint to get on to. I masked the front of the engines, the exhausts, the navigation light, the wheel bays and rear wheel well with tissue, and, covered the clear lenses with liquid masking....
With the masking complete, I then put the wheel bay doors and air-brakes onto cocktail sticks and cleaned those and the plane down with Isopropyl alcohol to make them ready for priming...
Before airbrushing the primer on, I airbrushed RLM 66 grey onto the window frames, which is the internal color of the cockpit...
I then primed the loose parts on their cocktail sticks and the plane with Stynylrez grey primer, my first time using this primer made by Badger. I have to say, it's an exceptional product that flows beautifully through the airbrush, straight from the bottle and dries solid within minutes, It sticks extremely well! I did a test on a piece of plastic card, by putting the stickiest tape I had onto it and pulling it off quickly, nothing peeled off. To remove it, I had to use my sanding stick....highly recommended!.....
After priming, there were a few little gaps that became apparent, which I will have to attend to before moving onto the painting stage, along with re-scribing a few spots around seams where the sanding had removed the recessed panel lines.
So, that's where I've gotten to so far until my next update that will include the plane painted and decaled. In the meantime, if you'd like to watch my "Build Update #3" video on my YouTube channel, then here is the link to that:
https://youtu.be/w45c8wqlLSo
Until next time, thanks for taking a look at this thread, leaving comments and watching my video, should you do so!
Happy modeling and have fun! ")
Cheers, 
Martin