Historical Background

This book provides the modeler with highly accurate 1/72 and 1/48 scale drawings of the Luftwaffe’s Junkers JU-188 and JU-388 series of medium bombers. At the beginning of the book, a very brief description of the aircraft is given, along with some information of the basic changes made when the JU-388 evolved. Of course, the JU-388 did not enter large scale production, so the vast majority of the information provided deals with variants of the JU-188 series.

The book contains mainly two types of information, scale line drawings in the two major scales, and 1/48 scale color profile side views of two JU-188A’s, two JU-188E’s, and two JU-388L’s. All of the drawings are of the finest quality, and will provide a good basis for reference for those wishing to build models of these types. Unfortunately, there is no information given on which commercially available kits would be most appropriate for building these models, but this material is available elsewhere. My experience here is to use the Italeri kit, although I did a Matchbox JU-188 years ago converted to a JU-388. I would advise using the Italeri kit, however. There are other kits on the market, covering both the JU-188 and JU-388 series, but I am not familiar with these.

Book Features and Recommendation

The book mainly consists of black and white and color drawings, plus several pages of detail drawings of engines and weapons systems. Unfortunately, there is no cockpit detail shown, but again this is available from other sources. Color drawings of the cockpit interior would have been helpful, as the exterior color views are exceptional.

But if you have any interest in the JU-188/388 series, this book is certainly worth getting, regardless of the scale you are working in. This aircraft has not had the coverage that other Luftwaffe aircraft have received over the years, and Kagero is to be commended for providing this publication. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Casemate Publishers and Kagero Publications for the review sample.