HA0101JU- 87 G-1 "Tank Buster" Stab 10. (Pz) / SG2, Slovakia, 1944 1/72 die-cast display model
The packaging for the model is extremely well done. This isn’t an almost all white plain box, there are pictures of the model along with several attractive graphics and information concerning this particular planes history (JU- 87 G-1 "Tank Buster" Stab 10. (Pz) / SG2, Slovakia, 1944). The box is constructed of a good heavy grade cardboard, which offers added protection of the model during shipping. The front panel of the box is held closed by a Velcro tab and with a slight tug, flips open to reveal the model inside the box. This is the standard for all Hobby Master boxes so far.
Inside you will find a very well packaged model, securely held in place inside a thick molded plastic shell. This shell is in two parts that you separate in order to take out the model and accessories that are held snuggly inside. Unlike one or two companies, you don’t have to destroy the box and shell in an effort to get the model out. All these nice features are the same as Dragon and most are the same as Corgi.
The model itself, at first glance I was very pleased with all I saw. I continued to look a little closer and closer expecting to find a lot of errors with a model from a brand new companies’ first offering. I was pleasantly surprised and have to say that I found very few, it’s not perfect, there are a few improvements that could be made. First the good points, superb panel lines, not too deep and not too shallow. All the online photos are very misleading and don’t do this model justice. Some of the shots are so close that they add extra heavy black to each line that just isn’t there when you see the model firsthand. The degree of care that was taken to give this model the great panel lines will be appreciated by just about everyone. The quality of the two tone camo paint is excellent, very smooth finish that has been expertly applied. On my model I even took a magnifying glass trying to find the slightest hint of over spray and I didn’t see any. The markings, lettering, balkenkreuz, all professionally applied with great care and accuracy with placement.
The canopy fits on the fuselage as if it were installed by Junkers themselves. The windows are made from a very clear glass like plastic, absolutely no hazing or scratches, perfect. There is a slight problem with the pilot’s portion of the canopy. The bottom 1/16” shouldn’t be glass it should be solid green metal that matches the rear gunners canopy. This is a very slight error and 99 people out of 100 wouldn’t even notice so it doesn’t detract from the models look or make it less collectible. I’m sure this will be corrected in future Stuka releases.
The rear gunner’s machine guns are nicely molded from a hard plastic, no soft plastic to allow barrel warping. The prop is free spinning and fits very well against the engine cowling not leaving any sort of gap, the hub appears to be very accurate in size and shape and has a painted black tip that shows no sign of imperfection, unlike some other manufacturers planes. The cannons are molded very nicely and look quite realistic as they hang under each wing. The length and diameter of each barrel is proper and adds even more to the realism. The free turning wheels are made of rubber on painted hubs and seem to fit the proper depth inside the housing.
The three piece stand is black and of the same quality as Dragon. It comes with a feature that will be well received by the collector, a tripod as the third piece. One arm of the tripod has a small nipple that fits tightly into a equally small hole in the bottom of the plane. The other two arms reach forward and position under the inside edges of the wings and act as a cradle. This combination adds real security and won’t allow the model to droop forward or in any direction so you don’t have to worry about finding your model just after it did a 90 degree dive but didn’t pull up in time.
Now, things that could use improvement. The two piece decals that have to be assembled to create a Swastika, but according to Hobby Master this will be corrected in future releases. Next, the lack of pilot and gunner, a small thing but appreciated by most collectors. If you expect movable control surfaces there aren’t any. Hobby Master Dauntless come with a variety of options for the canopy: completely closed, only the gunner’s portion open, only the pilots portion open, or both the pilot and gunner’s canopy open. With this feature it would have been nice to have the Stuka canopy able to open. Of course this Stuka is their first offering and the Dauntless their third, forth and fifth so it could be that this feature was developed after the Stuka and will be available from now on.
Overall this model is superb and definitely worth adding to your collection. Hobby Master has done themselves proud, they have a first time release that rivals the quality of companies that have had thirty and forty releases. They also surpass some companies that have thirty or forty releases. First impressions are so very important, like they say, “You only get one chance to make a first impression” and Hobby Master definitely did IMPRESS.