Junkers G38

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I recently checked out The Luftwaffe Handbook 1939-1945 by Gordon Williamson and on page 62 they have a picture of a Junkers G 38.Wow! what a wild looking plane.Is a kit availble of this unusual aircraft?

2

Revell does a 1/144 scale kit.

3

Thanks!I’ll check it out!

4

I received this kit as a Christmas gift. I haven’t started it yet but in looking at it I’m wondering where I can put enough weights in it to keep it on its nose . Looks like it will be a challenging build, the ones I like. My wife got it from Historic Aviation.

5

I think I’ll buy it!Too bad they don’t make a 1/72 scale vac-form version of the kit!

6

I did a web search and found a lot of reference photos of the G-38. Some show it sitting on the tail wheel and others just on the front landing gear. There is also a short movie of youtube showing it flying. Good reference stuff.

7

Thanks!Looks to be an interesting build!

8

The G38 was a taildragger.

9

Bear in mind that the Revell Germany kit has been issued in three versions. The first boxing was for the civvy version, and came out about ten years ago. It sold for £12.99 in the UK, and had mid-1990s style Revell decals, which were almost impossible to get to settle down over the corrugated surfaces. The box art shows the aircraft on the ground.

In the early 2000s, it was reissued in Luftwaffe markings (RLM70/71 uppersurface, RLM04 undersurfaces). However, the one to go for is the most recent re-release, kit #4053. Not only has it got a new decal sheet, up to Revell Germany’s current standards, which should settle down without any problems so long as you use decal solvents, but also it’s much cheaper, with the UK RRP now £7.99.

It’s a great model, and includes features such as full interior detail, including seats for the wing root observation lounges. If you see it, buy it. You won’t be disappointed.

Cheers,

Chris.

10

Thanks Chris! I checked Squadron and it is listed so I think I’ll order it!

11

HUH???

12

Pleased to learn that it is a tail dragger. What confused me was one of the photos I found on the web. It showed the G-38 just sitting on the four main wheels with the tail up off the ground.

13

That’s why the big HUH. I’m fascinated by this A/C, and have been all over the net chasing down photos of it, and never have seen a photo with it sitting with the tail off of the ground. Got a link?

14

I found it once. I’ll keep looking. I found it and my face is red with embarrassment. It only appeared that the airline was sitting on just the front wheels. Guess it’s time for me to have my eyes examined.

15

There is a thread kicking around britmodeller.com right now on this very aircraft. Just search for “Revell G38”

16

There’s a 1/72 scale resin kit of this available:

http://www.modellbau-kappner.de/html/airline_1_72.html

and I recall an announcement that Planet Models was planning a 1/72 scale one sometime as well:

http://www.modelairplaneinternational.com/full_site/frames/info/021.htm (scroll down to Planet Models)

I thought it was supposed to be injection-molded, but that link says it’s resin. We’ll see if it ever shows up.

Bruce

17

Achtung!The website is in German!Plus what is the exchange rate from Euros to Dollars?The Dehaviled Comet looks pretty sweet too!

18

The exchange rate is pretty crappy right now - 1 dollar is about 1.5 euros. If you have any questions about the kits, you can just send an email to Kappner@Fliegerhorst.com - I’ve asked a question in English to that address before and gotten a nice reply.

I have a copy of the G.38 from that site, and it’s pretty nice. The casting is very nice and clean, and has pretty good detail. It looks like a pretty interesting build - the fit will be tricky and one of the fuselage parts I have is warped. I can fix it with the hot water and bend method, but it’ll take some effort. I’m waiting a little bit to see how the Planet Models one turns out before I start my build. But hey, at least a kit exists in 1/72 scale - scratchbuilding would be a nightmare with the corrugated surfaces.

Bruce

19

Oh, man. Junkers had a knack building airplanes that hurt the eyes! Ow. [xx(]

20

BWR How much did you pay for it?(In US Dollars)?What is the wingspan?