Promodler 1/48 JU 88 A4

I am building this kit too and agree it is quirky.  It's a reboxed Dragon kit and Dragon was trying to save money by creating molds where they could swap a couple of parts trees in the kits to sell the different versions of ju-88s.

This creates weird assembly steps, extra seams to fill and alignment issues.  Also the instructions are full of errors so use good reference picks.  Don't you love the lack of alignment pins.  

The instructions are very poor when it comes to the canopy. The three piece top canopy can be difficult to line up during install.  Do lots of dry fitting.  I ended up gluing the two rear halves together first and installing as one unit.

Also how about that weird textured plastic and no, the cockpit half does not line up well to the fuselage.  Also the goofy wing tips that Dragon decided to mold separate do not line up well either.  I had to thin in some places and add shims in others.  Lots of dry fitting.

Glad to have a heads up on this kit. I think I actually have it in true Dragon form as a Mistel kit. Detail work looks sharp so far Theuns.

Also for some odd reason the rear upper part of the cockpit section is not complete all the way to the top, there is clearly a reccessed area in the rear fuse what I can only think a seperate bulkhead has to go but none on the trees...

I made a bulkhead from plastic card as the gaping hope just looks wrong.

The same I think will be needed in the wheelwells.

Theuns

There is a small part that will cover that hole in the rear upper part of the cockpit.  Yet another weird part so dragon could do the part mix and match thing.  That little part creates more weird seams.  Do a lot of test fitting before committing to glue on this build, it will save you a lot of filling and sanding.

Here are the big parts ready for filling and sandin.....allot of it :-(

IMG_20180214_084410 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

Theuns

A great modeler can make a bad model look fantastic.  

Your friend, Toshi

I managed to stuff up the canopy when trying to join the 2 halves :-(

Theuns

Man that brings back memories...or more likely nightmares.  I had the night figther version and I wanted to make a bomber version.  Only problem was the night fighter had only one rear canopy gun so I had to use a melted clear sprue to fabricate one of those clear gunports. 

I am not really liking this build sofar, sanding is one of my most hated jobs!

Maybe when it comes to painting I will like it again LOL

1/48 JU 88A4 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

1/48 JU 88 A4 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

I still cant figure out what the 2 small holes in the RH top if the rear fuse is, the plans are vague here.

Theuns

Looks like you're beating this one into submission there Thuens.  Progress is looking good buddy.

Interesting so many folk have experience with this kit.

You don't seem to be letting it get the best of you, Theuns. No surprise there.

Well, it surely is taking allot of "beating" to get it into shape LOL

I like the sa\haoe of the 88 and dont have another in the collection so I need to get it done.

Theuns

Yeah, I’ve heard mixed results as far as kit reviews go.  Slow and steady is the way to go.  Yours looks great thus far!

The two small holes are about where the tail support rod and triggering mechanism would be on a Mistel lower component...

I HATE masking canopies  :-(

IMG_20180325_132511 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

Theuns

You hate doing canopy masking, but you did a fantastic job on it!  Is that free hand or pre-cut Eduard mask’s?  Thank you in advance.

Your friend, Toshi

Looking good. you definitely need the right mind Set for masking it's like use ing BMF.

Toshi I used tamiya tape and a sharp exacto blade ;-)

Theuns

After a coat of primer and a light sanding I see hope for this model yet...

IMG_20180325_184652 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

IMG_20180325_184726 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

IMG_20180325_185641 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

I am still not sure what scheme to go with, there are a few splinter ones, a mottle desert one and a splinter with meander lines....

Theuns

Wow you might hate it but you did a fantastic job on the masking. To me it looked like precut masks

I think it's going to work out juuusssst Fiiine!

Bob Seger sings when he was younger "my hands were strong and steady, my eyes were clear and bright" 

After yesterday , looking at my preshading efforts I think at 47 I dont poses either of these trates anymore  LOL!

Maybe because I was cleaning and prepping 2 C-47 elevators for a re-cover yesterday my hands were a little more shaky than usual.

The bottom has a lighter shading than on the top, the blue tends to take the shading quite well and on top the dark camo covers it fast so you need to  be carefull with painting it on.

IMG_20180326_171807 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

IMG_20180326_171754 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

My cell pix dont show the color well but this is HU 65 with the shading just showing through to the naked eye so I am happy woith that

IMG_20180326_173519 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

I decided to rather paint on the fuse ID band as I have not had allot of luck using them in decal form.

IMG_20180326_190932 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

Hoping the weather is hot so I can get the painting done asap, I dont like leaving masking on clear bits to long.

Theuns

This pic shows the colour and bottom detail a bit better.

IMG_20180327_165441 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

Theuns