The Beaufighter crew/operator canopy was attached to the fuselage panels and during maintenance -or emergencies- the panels could unfastened and the canopy would swing open to the side (the crew would normally enter via a hatch in the fuselage floor).

This detail set provides you with two canopy sets, one for the “observer” configuration and another one for the “rear gunner” of the Beaufighter. I believe the observer configuration (radar operator) was only used in the MkV/NF version of the Beaufighter.

The canopies are casted in clear resin. Please note that this replacement part includes some sharply casted detail in the panels surrounding the canopies as well. In order to use this set you are expected to remove some plastic from the fuselage of the airplane and the extra panels around the canopy will replace the removed parts. By the way, the removal is done along panel lines so it will be easy to do the removal on the model parts.

The owner of Masterwork truly knows Micro-metal machine work; Here is the first review of the three sets from Master Model which are all common in design but different in utility; IPMS USA sincerely appreciates Master’s support of our reviewer corps, and thanks to our leaders for sending these my way!

All parts are individually bagged by item within the generic display header bag; this prevents damage and ensures you have the correct bits to finish the set.

Specialty Press and Crecy Publications bring us an outstanding study of the Ju-88 airplane. The book has a total of 15 chapters, which covers the historical backdrop under which the Ju-88 was developed, includes very detailed analysis on other prototypes and German bombers, even allied bombers in a similar class and then it delves into the evolution of the Ju-88 from the A-1 model, to the late war models and the long range maritime fighter patrol.

The chapters are

This datafile, written by the great J. M. Bruce was originally published in 2000. It has long been sold out and has now been reprinted in limited quantities. This is great news for aviation enthusiasts who missed the book the first time and also to modelers who are the proud owners of recent kits from Roden and from Wingnut Wings.

This datafile is larger than most at 42 pages and the pages are full of great photos, a detailed discussion of the Felixstowe aircraft and detail photos of such areas as the cockpit, construction, armament etc. An excellent feature of the book is a discussion of Camouflage and Markings written by Ray Rimell which covers some of the great dazzle schemes applied to the Felixstowe. Profiles of these schemes are contained on the rear cover. As usual with the datafile series, detailed 1/48 and 1/72 scale multi-view drawings are included. These also contain information of the beaching trolley.

History

First flown in 1935 and making its combat debut in 1936, the Ju 87 was used until the end of the war, first as a dive bomber (Until the Luftwaffe lost air superiority and it became easy pickings for allied fighters), then as a tank buster, and finally as a night attack/harassment aircraft. Arguably its biggest contribution was the fact that it became the propaganda symbol of German air power and the Blitzkrieg victories of 1939–1942. Roughly 6500 Ju 87s of all types were built from 1936-1944.

The Kit

Upon opening the box you will find an 8 page color instruction booklet, 2 sprues of injected plastic molded in grey, a VERY small photo etch fret, 2 separately bagged canopies and a very nice decal sheet. The plastic is very clean and crisply molded… but panel lines?? They are really finely done but at this scale I’m not sure they are necessary. The P/E fret is…well….small and had me wondering if my eyes were going to handle this well!