JU88-A4 Pro-Modeler from 1999

[Edbert]

Getting started on the old kit I bought used at the model show last fall for $20. Been fiddling with all sorts of things and realized how little I know about bombers in general. So doing lots of research to catch up a bit. In the course of that I found this "model", you'll want to translate from German...

https://www.fob-scale.com/junkers-cockpit/

I did build up the landing gear, I must say it is nice to have something so sturdy for a change.



The ejector pin mark on the actuator will be hidden, but not the one on the front (left) in this picture. I also have some seams to deal with for sure.

While some time spent sanding might fix the tires, I realized they look like balloons (seriously Revell?), so I ordered some weighted resin ones. The ones in this kit remind me of this short film...

 

[Jakko]

I realized they look like balloons

Assuming the tyre on this museum exhibit is original, that seems accurate:

 

[Edbert]

The JU88 was in service the entirety of the war, it was a good night fighter platform where the HE111 was not. So I believe what they used varied over the years, depending on manufacture, campaign, repairs, and availability

I've seen several different types of tires on them. The one you posted shows very slight tread patterns, could be the molding though as they are few and quite thin, it does seem to be very common version. The ones shown below have more pronounced tread and are also found often.





It is interesting when going image searches how often your results are of models. But there's a lot of restored ones too. I think these are inaccurate more modern tires.



But these are what I have ordered....

 

[BarleyBop]

ordered

...nice looking set. I will have check out Reskit...

 

[Jakko]

So I believe what they used varied over the years,

That's also the impression I got from looking for a photo of a tyre with little or no profile on it. I posted it to show you could use the Revell parts, not to imply that it's the only correct one

It is interesting when going image searches how often your results are of models.

Glad I'm not the only one who's noticed that. It's mildly annoying, IMHO, because I don't care to see what other people have built when I want to know details about the real thing. For subjects from the Second World War, though, what often helps a lot is to click on Tools and then say you only want black-and-white images, not colour ones.