Aires

1/48th Junkers Ju-87D Stuka Air Coolers

Kit Number: 4404

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner, Jr., IPMS #26266

MSRP $14.50 Website: www.aires.cz Aires is offering a great little upgrade set for the Hasegawa Ju-87D Stuka. The under wing and engine radiators are noticeably lacking in detail due to the limitations of the injection molding process. In typical Aires fashion you are provided with first class light grey resin which is blemish and bubble free. The coolers are expertly representative. The intake and exhaust flaps are provided on a single fret of photo etch. These will require some bending, but nothing too extensive. One of the things that I've always had issues with was adding the photo etch to the resin. In this particular case you are given photo etch hinges which should make easy work of this issue. The instructions are easy enough to understand. Some of the photo etch will be added to the kit parts. The major part of the surgery will be to remove the underwing oil coolers. One thing that isn't mentioned in the instructions is that for the engine oil cooler you will need to remove molded on kit detail and substitute it with the PE parts. There is nothing too extensive and should be within the capabilities of most intermediate modelers. This set will be a nice addition to your Stuka. Highly recommended Thanks to Aires for the review copy. You can get your copy by contacting Aires at www.aires.cz or at www.modelchoice.net. Make sure you tell them that IPMS/USA sent you. You can always have your local hobby shop order it for you.