Ju 290A-5
The Junkers Ju 290's history is convoluted having started out as the Ju 89, an entry in the Ural bomber program, which when canceled was morphed into the Ju 90 using the Ju 89 wings and tail and replacing the original bomber fuselage with a transport style fuselage. The Ju 90 went through a period of gestation in which the wings were redone, the vertical tails were enlarged, more powerful engines were installed, the fuselage lengthened and a hydraulic loading ramp installed in the rear portion of the fuselage. With all of these changes the designation was changed to the Ju 290. As these changes were taking place a variety of defensive armament was also added to the airframe. The first production A-0 aircraft was completed in October of 1942. This, a second A-0 aircraft and five A-1's were completed as transports and armed similar to the V8 aircraft. These were rushed into service flying supplies to Stalingrad. Most of these aircraft were lost or heavily damaged in this operation.
The decision to convert the 290 to that of a maritime role resulted in a demand from the Fliegerfuhrer Atlantik for a replacement for the Focke-Wulf Condor which was proving to vulnerable in this role. The Ju 290A-2 was a straightforward adaptation of the A-1 apart from an increase in navigation equipment, the provision for a second turret mounting a 20-mm MG 151 and large capacity fuel tanks in the fuselage. The first A-2 was completed in the summer of 1943 and two similar aircraft were delivered in July. These were followed by three A-3's which were similar except for using a low drag rear turret and modified rear gunners position. An additional three were built with more powerful engines. Five A-4's that followed these differed only in having the low drag turret used in both positions.
The A-5 version was the result of recommendations for heavier defensive armament, increased protection for the pilot and co-pilot, and facilities for fuel dumping in an emergency. The A-5 was equipped with improved protection for the fuel tanks, heavy gage armor for the pilot and co-pilot and the aft lateral gun positions were aerodynamically improved and the guns were upgraded to 20-mm Mg 151's. The crew compliment was increased from seven to nine. A total of 11 A-5 aircraft were built.
The Kit
The Revell kit comes in a large and rather flimsy end flap opening box with a rather nice rendition of the Ju 290 on the front. Inside the box is one large bag containing all the sprues with an inner bag that contains the clear parts. Not the best packaging I've seen but everything was pretty much intact, no parts off sprues but there was scuffing on some of the parts from shipping. The parts are molded in a light grayish green very similar to RLM 02 in color. The parts are cleanly molded with virtually no flash and feature recessed panel lines which are uniform if perhaps a bit large for the scale but not enough to distract from the appearance. I found no sink marks on the airframe surfaces and only one or two ejector pin marks that may be an issue. A nice touch is an open slot between the flaps and ailerons and flaps on the wings. The control surfaces are all molded in place.
The cockpit is reasonably well detailed for the scale with rudder pedals, control columns, a nicely molded instrument panel with instrument detail molded into it. The pilot seats are a bit strange being split down the middle. The seat cushions have belts molded in but no harnesses are supplied. There are bulkheads to divide the forward fuselage area into the various areas for the radio operator and other crew positions. The floor extends all the way to the rear of the fuselage but except for some fuselage structure opposite the rear side door and the weapons positions there is little other detail. The upper deck of the fuselage is molded separate so it can be removed to view the detail that otherwise won't be seen much once the fuselage is closed up. The rear ramp is separate and can be installed either open or closed. The gear bays are enclosed but there is no detail to see. The landing gear itself is nicely done and the wheels have separate hubs for easy painting. The tires are not weighted. The engines are a bit one dimensional but once in the close fitting cowlings with a fan in front of them they won't be very visible anyway. Parting line flash is minimal. The bottom wing center section is molded integral with part of the fuselage making the wings a five piece affair that should provide a solid structure when glued up. The radar antenna are typically too large for the scale and delicate as well and might be best replaced with some scratch built antenna from fine wire if you have the patience. By my count there are 225 gray parts. See photos below.
The clear parts are nice and clear with a few showing some stress marks from the molding process. I suspect these will disappear when coated with Future. The cabin glazings are separate rather than in a continuous strip as often seen which will be helpful if you plan on doing any additional detailing in there. There are 35 clear parts for a kit total of 260 parts. See photo below.
The decals are thin and well registered and include markings for four aircraft, not bad considering only 11 of this variant were built. A fair amount of stenciling is included as well as decals for the instrument panel, intended as an overlay and fronts for some of the radio equipment. There are even readable BMW logos for the engine cowlings. See photo below.
The instructions are contained in a 24 page booklet. The first page is history and specifications, page two contains general instruction in eighteen languages, page three is a symbol chart and safety notices, page 4 is paint colors in eighteen languages, page 5 and half of six are parts maps and from that point through page 17 is assembly instructions. Pages 18 through 21 are painting and decal placement and pages 22-24 are blank.
After Market Goodies
Very little is available except maybe an Eduard set for external parts and antennas. Actually very little is needed, for its scale it is very well detailed.
Conclusions
This is a very nice kit, well detailed and well engineered and except
for the parts count should be doable by modelers of most skill levels.
It might be a bit intense for a beginner.
Links to kit build or reviews
Another inbox review can be found here.
References
"Monogram Close-Up # 3 Junkers 290" by Thomas Hitchcock
"Warplanes of the Third Reich" by William Green
Back to Miscellaneous 1/72 page
Links to kit build or reviews
Another inbox review can be found here.
References
"Monogram Close-Up # 3 Junkers 290" by Thomas Hitchcock
"Warplanes of the Third Reich" by William Green
Back to Miscellaneous 1/72 page