Scale Plastic & Rail

1:32 Junkers J.1 from Wingnut Wings

1:32 Junkers J.1
Wingnut Wings
Catalogue # 32001
Available direct from Wingnut Wings for $79.00 with FREE worldwide delivery

 

The Junkers corrugated skin style became well known with the production of the Junkers F13, and then mainstream with the Junkers Ju 52 transport aircraft. However, before these machines, Junkers was already using a more or less all-metal construction technique with the design of the Junkers J.1 biplane. At the time, this was a totally revolutionary concept as the J.1's structure was internally braced and included expansive elements of armour plating. You could blow holes in this machine, and it would still fly. For this, the slow but rugged J.1 was much liked by its crews, and records show that not a single one was lost to enemy fire, from ground or air. Primarily used as a ground attack aircraft, the J.1 became known as the Flying Tank, or Removal Van and development even continued after the Armistice.

Scale Plastic & Rail launched in the September of 2009. Our launch date did mean that there were certain companies that we weren't working with initially, plus we had perhaps missed a few key releases from companies that we were to become well acquainted with. One of these companies was Wingnut Wings. I originally purchased the LVG C.IV back in 2010 that I reviewed HERE, but there were a small number of kits for which we hadn't had the pleasure in reviewing. Two of these kits were the SE.5a 'Hisso', and the Junkers J.1. My recent Albatros D.Va project had made me realise that we perhaps needed to do a 'retrospective' and cover these important, early WNW releases. With that thought in mind, I immediately placed an order for both the SE.5a and Junkers J.1

Anyone who has dealt with Wingnut Wings can testify to their speed and efficiency of service. Whenever I have dealt with them, all queries etc. are answered within a 24hr timeframe. A few days ago, Mr Postman delivered a carton containing both the J.1 and the SE.5a. I've always been a staunch fan of German aviation, so opted to review the J.1 first; especially as this kit is the one which bears the '32001' reference, showing it to be the very first in the entire series.

The Wingnut Wings Junkers J.1 comes in a beautifully packaged box depicting a Steve Anderson artwork of two Junkers J.1's in formation at dusk. Steve's artworks are one of the highlights of a new WNW kit for me. The artwork is edged in a fine silver trim, with the subject title being accented in silver also. Box sides show the five schemes supplied for this kit.

Opening the box shows the first logistical problem for this kit. It's pretty apparent that if you don't place the sprues in the order that they came from the box, that you would suffer a major headache in trying to replace them afterwards. With this in mind, I started to photograph this kit in careful stages, starting with the lower-most sprue.

The sprue detail shows just how long Wingnut Wings had their initial designs in development. Whilst this kit was released in 2009, the sprue detail shows it to have been in existence since 2007. WNW are known not to release their kits until they are absolutely happy with them, and this probably explains why the much anticipated Fokker D.VII hasn't surfaced yet. We still live in hope.

The Junkers J.1 is moulded over EIGHT sprues of medium grey plastic, ONE sprue of clear plastic, and contains a small photo etch fret. All sprues are also individually packaged. As well as the beautifully produced manual, a large single decal sheet resides in the bottom of the box.

Construction starts with the cockpit and various engine bay bulkheads. The detail within these areas is simply superb. The inner fuselage walls contain some very finely executed detail, but there are a few ejection pin marks scattered around. These aren't too much of an issue as the majority of them seem to be raised, and again, only by a very small amount. Half an hour or so of work will see these disappear totally. The interior parts display some of the most crisp and engaging detail I've seen on a 1:32 model in a long while. The combination of timber areas, along with metal construction is very evident, and WNW have captured this beautifully. There isn't anything in the way of variation in any of the interiors of the schemes provided. The single option is whether to install the radio set, or display the cockpit with this removed.

The cockpit itself looks quite 'agricultural' in appearance, with that large metal fuel tank which doubles as the pilots seat (ouch!). The instrument panel has very few actual instruments, but a number of pieces of apparatus are scattered both here and around the interior sidewalls, as well as pushrods, valves and levers. The gunner's position displays an excellent level of detail also, with the fold-down seat sitting within the plywood semi-circular moulding. Seatbelts for both pilot and gunner are provided as photo etch parts.

The rear gunner position has a choice of two different MG's; either a Parabellum LMG14/17 with an Oigee sight, or the air-jacketed Parabellum LMG14. Unlike the later WNW kits, no photo etch option for the cooling jacket is given. You will need to source the excellent Master Model turned and slotted barrel/jacket combo. On the 'not to use' parts area, you will see the LMG's moulded without the cooling jacket, so if you can find a photo etch jacket you can go with this option.

The engine bay bulkheads really do look excellent and with red-oxide paint, oil splashes and chipping, really should look every bit as convincing as metal parts as is possible. The fuselage exterior no doubt challenged the WNW team when it came to representation of the metal surfaces and the rear fabric covering along with the stitching. All I can say is that they totally nailed this, with some of the most subtle and realistic detail I've seen of the type. Moulding here, and within the cockpit is as good as you could wish for.

The most unusual detail for a WW1 modeller here are the corrugated flying surfaces. The wings are also very thick in section. Surface detail is simply superb. There's no other word to describe how perfectly WNW have reproduced this key feature, complete with the raised riveting which is accurate for this machine. Luckily for us modellers, the corrugations don't roll around the wing leading edges, so there will be no difficult seam lines to remove. The thickness of some of the wing pieces means that not only have WNW ensured good heavy duty tabs into which the outer panels are socketed to the inner wings, but also the inside of some of the wing areas have structural fillets within them to ensure that no warps can develop.

One criticism levelled at this model when it was originally released, was a resultant gap between the aileron and inner wing panel on the upper wing. I doubt this will have been re-tooled, but a little shim of plasticard and some addition of a few shaped corrugated strips will fix this. To do this correctly, I suggest you build the upper wing and then attach, instead of simply plugging the outer panels onto an already installed centre-section. There is also a resin 'fix' for this problem area too.

The vertical tail and rudder can be represented as either corrugated metal parts or as rib/fabric, depending on which machine you wish to model. The machines with the fabric covered vertical tail surfaces also have a prop spinner, giving the front of the model a slightly moreaerodynamic appearance.

Again, a fully detailed engine is included with this kit; specifically the Benz Bz.IV. It has been said many times that these are almost a 'kit within a kit', and that is probably very true. Two sets of cylinder heads are included, with one of them containing the push rods pre-moulded in for those of us who don't wish to do any scratch build work. The set without these moulded on will require you to source your own plastic rod, or stiff wire, and add them yourself. This is a much better option for a more realistic look, and kudos goes to WNW for adding this option.

The best way to display the engine is by posing the cowl doors in the open position. To do this though, you will need to fill in a series of ejector pin marks unfortunately. This is probably the only real prominent place where you will have such problems, so take your time here.

Fastening the wings to the fuselage looks to be a simple affair with only a minimal number of struts and some very positive connection points. The online builds I've seen of this model do say that this aspect is very simple, and the photos do appear to testify to that. The un-rigged undercarriage is also beautifully detailed and simple to construct; simply plugging into the lower wing centre-section.

All plastic parts are beautifully moulded with no apparent flash anywhere and only the issues already mentioned with ejector pin marks. Despite some heavy internal stiffening on some parts, no external sinking can be found anywhere, and seam lines are very minimal.

The clear sprue contains only the windshield. Again, moulding is superb, with excellent clarity.

The single photo etch fret contains the seatbelts, elevator hinge tabs and an alternative turtle deck to the rear of the gunner. Quality of the metal parts is excellent.

This is the instruction manual which spawned a whole new standard for this type of publication, and you can see just how it set that standard. Construction of the J.1 is spread over 19 stages with all drawings being shown in shades of grey, with new sections depicted in blue shades. Some drawings which depict the interior sections are in full colour, with colour notation being given throughout construction in Tamiya, Humbrol and Misterkit codes. A good number of both period and colour photos of the J.1 are given to help with your reference. Even though this manual is excellent, you can see how WNW have improved them further on subsequent releases by spreading reference images throughout the manual, and including engine photos too.

Full Ronny Bar colour profiles are given for FIVE aircraft. The profiles are every bit as excellent as the ones we have seen in the later kits, with clear decal locations being shown, and colour reference notation.

The machines depicted are:

• 100/17 Flieger-Abteilung 19, 1917
• 134/17 Flieger-Abteilung (A) 263
• 138/17 Flieger-Abteilung 17, 1918
• 802/17 Unidentified Unit, 1918
• 857/17 Flieger-Abteilung (A) 263, 1918

A single but very large decal sheet is included which is printed in Italy, by Cartograf. Printing is nice and thin, whilst being in perfect register. The colour is solid and authentic, plus carrier film is also minimal. Having used WNW decals with Mr Mark Setter/Softer, I do know them to be compatible. It's just as well with this kit, as you'll need to take special care with applying any decal to those corrugated surfaces.

So what do we think?
There's no doubt that this is a very unusual looking airplane, with its corrugated surfaces, but as this model has no rigging to be worried about, then it may prove to be a deal-maker for those who've never dipped their toes into WW1 aviation modelling. It's also quite a large model too, and certainly very striking in appearance. The box is cram-full of detailed plastic, and for the price, including free worldwide delivery, it represents excellent value for money. Treat yourself to the very first WNW model kit. I'm sure glad that I did!

Very highly recommended.

Review kit courtesy of my wallet. To purchase this directly from Wingnut Wings and support this amazing model company, click THIS link.

James H