1/72 Academy JU87G-1 Stuka 'Tank Buster'

An Academy 1/72 JU87G-1 Stuka 'Tank Buster' I completed today.

Before this, I bought a Messerschmitt Bf109E and a Supermarine Spitfire MkVb both in 1/72 scale from Airfix but I've put them on hold as the qualities of both kits were pretty awful especially the cockpit areas. From what I have learned, the kits are reboxed versions of models made back about 2-3 decades ago. I suppose I'll either continue making them when I have nothing better to do or put them aside and buy something else altogether.

"Fail Kits"

I picked up this Stuka kit, one of my favorite WWII era planes, without expecting much since it was cheap but was pretty surprised with the quality of the kit. I believe it was relatively recently made and it seems Academy has come a long way in improving the quality of their products, yet keeping them decently priced.

The kit is excellent with perfectly fitting detailed parts, almost no flash and two nice clean cockpit canopies, one in 4 parts and another as one complete canopy. I decided to go with the 4 part canopy.

After some trial and error, I've come to learn that using Scotch Magic Tape (the translucent one) is the best for masking canopies. But still, having to cut them along the lines of the canopy frame is tedious work and that's the model building part I hate the most. Masking tape is removed at the very end.

I've finally bought an airbrush and compressor but still on a novice level. The paint job on the Stuka was somewhat satisfactory but I still can't get the decals right. I started using Humbrol's Decalfix (new version) which supposedly prevents silvering even on matt finish surfaces but I'm still getting them with little wrinkles as well. Even though I messed up on the decals, I'm still pretty satisfied with the outcome.