Hobby 2000 48003 - 1:48 Junkers Ju-87 D-3 North Africa 1942-43

Plastic model kit of the Junkers Ju 87 D-3 dive bomber in 1:48 scale

Hobby 2000 48003 is a self-assembly model of the Junkers Ju 87 D-3 – the developed version of the most recognisable dive bomber of the Second World War. The kit is based on Hasegawa plastic, to which the Polish publisher added its own box, illustrated assembly instructions, self-adhesive masks and a new decal sheet devoted to aircraft from the North African front.

The sheet covers two marking options: an aircraft coded S7+EP of 6./SG 3 from 1943 and a machine coded S7+AA flown by Maj. Walter Sigel of SG 3 in 1942. Both schemes come from the period of fighting in North Africa, when the Stukas operated in sand and brown desert camouflage.

The model captures the characteristic silhouette of the Ju 87: the inverted gull wing, the fixed landing gear in streamlined spats, the long multi-panel canopy over the two-man crew and the swinging bomb crutch under the fuselage. The D version stands out with its streamlined, redesigned engine cowling and lengthened rear canopy section.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wings, tail surfaces and equipment parts
• Clear parts for the canopy glazing
• Self-adhesive masks for the glazing
• Waterslide decal sheet printed by Cartograf for two marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:48
• Catalogue number: 48003
• Manufacturer: Hobby 2000
• Assembled length: approx. 240 mm
• Model wingspan: approx. 287 mm
• Skill level: intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The Ju 87 has an extensive, multi-panel canopy, which makes the included self-adhesive masks particularly useful on this model – they give crisp, even framing without laborious taping. The cockpit interiors for both crew members are best painted and finished before joining the fuselage halves. It is worth paying attention to fitting the distinctive wing, as keeping the dihedral symmetrical visibly affects the look of the finished model.

Aircraft in North Africa wore desert camouflage: a sand shade on the upper surfaces, often with green mottling, over light blue undersides. Acrylic paints from ranges dedicated to Luftwaffe colours work well here. Paint wear on the leading edges and heavy dust deposits on the lower areas are typical of this theatre. We recommend gloss varnish before the decals to limit decal silvering, and satin varnish as the final finish. Panel lines can be accentuated with a wash and desert dust reproduced with pigments. To raise the level of detail, consider metal tubing or resin wheels available separately in our shop.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes and an airbrush for even finishes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash for accentuating panel lines
• Gloss varnish under the decals and satin varnish for the final finish
• Decal setting solution

About the aircraft – Junkers Ju 87 D-3:

The Junkers Ju 87, widely known as the Stuka, was the standard German dive bomber of the Second World War and one of the symbols of the blitzkrieg. The 1930s design stood out with its inverted gull wing, fixed landing gear in spats and dive brakes that allowed accurate bombing in steep dives.

The D version, which entered production in 1941, was a thorough development of the design. It received the more powerful Junkers Jumo 211J engine, a streamlined, redesigned cowling with the radiator moved under the fuselage, and an increased weapons load. The D-3 variant additionally featured strengthened armour for the cockpit and powerplant, as it was intended above all for ground attack missions flown at low level, where the threat from ground fire was greatest.

In North Africa the Stukas served with units supporting the Afrika Korps, attacking transport columns, artillery positions and Allied airfields. Desert conditions were exceptionally hard on them: sand quickly wore out the engines, and the slow, unmanoeuvrable aircraft became an easy target for Allied fighters when left without escort. Even so, the Ju 87 remained in the front line until the end of the war, and its characteristic silhouette and desert camouflage schemes remain among the most popular modelling subjects.

Original aircraft specifications (Junkers Ju 87 D-3):

• Length: 11.50 m
• Wingspan: 13.80 m
• Height: 3.90 m
• Empty weight: approx. 3900 kg
• Maximum take-off weight: approx. 6600 kg
• Crew: 2 (pilot and rear gunner)
• Powerplant: Junkers Jumo 211J inline engine of approx. 1400 hp
• Top speed: approx. 410 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 7300 m
• Range: approx. 1500 km
• Defensive armament: two 7.92 mm machine guns in the wings and a twin 7.92 mm machine gun in the rear position
• Bomb load: up to approx. 1800 kg
• Production: over 3500 aircraft of the D versions were built

About the manufacturer – Hobby 2000:

Hobby 2000 is a Polish model publisher based in Katowice that prepares its own boxings of plastic kits using sprues from established manufacturers. This kit is based on plastic by Hasegawa. The company adds its own box, illustrated assembly instructions and new decal sheets tailored to the specific subject of the release. The Hobby 2000 catalogue has a clear thematic profile – a large part of it covers aircraft and vehicles connected with Polish military history and with the modern Polish Armed Forces, as well as less common variants and theatres of operations. Individual releases appear in limited runs, often only once. For the modeller this means access to proven plastic combined with markings that are usually not available in the original boxings. The brand develops its range in 1:72, 1:48, 1:35 and 1:32 scale, covering both aviation and armour.