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• Aircraft Resource Center • 2013-09-28
• IPMS UK Magazine • 2013-09-28
• Model Aircraft 04/2008 • 2013-09-28
• IPMSUSA.org • 2013-09-28
• SAMI • 2013-09-28
• InternetModeler.com • 2013-09-28
• Hyperscale.com • 2013-09-28
• ModelingMadness.com • 2013-09-28
• Cybermodeler.com • 2013-09-28
• Model Airplane International 35 2008-06 • 2013-09-28

• Aircraft Resource Center • 2013-09-28

  by Mark "Kostucha" Ejdrygiewicz

  While looking for a number of reference books for the 1/24 Stuka I'm working on, I stumbled on this MMP book off of their website. After finding a copy close by, I cracked the book and began reading. And reading more. And reading even more. If one is looking for a good book of both general and very specific information for any Stuka version, this is a must.

  The history of this ugly and rugged aircraft is covered in great detail within this book. Within its 152 pages, this title covers everything one may want to know. The early development of the Stuka is the readers starting point and what a story it is. With some rare and hard to find pictures, combined with a well researched write up, the fact from fiction is separated with regards to the early stages of the Ju 87 development.

  Further to that, the book is broken down into 2 main parts. The first part is the typical historical write up filled with great information and pictures. The second part of the book is the meat and potatoes. Colour pictures and notes from the authors about the reference aircraft used. This is both to highlight specific things to look for (as these pictures are a modellers dream, very specific areas and hard to see places too). Also, the authors get it right here - they mention any discrepancies with the aircraft. The Ju 87B that is photographed was noted to have T-6, not the original wheels found on the Stuka! Well researched information like this is consistent throughout this title.

  All key versions of the Stuka are also covered in great detail. From scale profile drawings (all in 1/72), to illustrations of various structures straight from the technical manuals of hard to see areas (such as the early Ju 87A MG15 setup, to rudder and tail wheel structure, and so on). This book offers a lot to the reader as mentioned in both a general sense, but also very specific.

  Throughout the book the reader will see that MMP gives very specific W.Nr.'s of a/c that had unique features, or when production changes were introduced on the factory floor and in the field. Information on which W.Nr.'s were produced at which factory and when, combined with good information on what changes occurred over time with pictorial evidence offers the reader a clear and concise understanding of how the Stuka evolved and in which way.

  In total from cover to cover this great book offers:

  -Just over 200 pictures - 78 of them in colour from modern day survivors offered as reference pictures;

  -40 profile images in 1/72 (including specific components such as different canopies and engine cowls);

  -28 illustrated images - most from the technical manual - showing various component break downs; and -55 colour profiles including break downs of key paint scheme patterns for specific periods in time.

  The book contains information for the following aircraft as well as other information. The break down consists of:

  -Junkers K47

  -Junkers K48

  -He 50A

  -Hs 123 V2

  -Ju 87 V1-V4

  -Ju 87A's

  -Ju 87B's

  -Ju 87R's -Tropical Versions

  -Ju 87C (with great pictures and profiles of the folding wings)

  -Ju 87D

  -Ju 87D (night versions)

  -Ju 87E

  -Ju 87G

  -Ju 87H

  -Uncompleted developments: Ju 87F, Ju 187, Ju 287

  -Ju 87 Production

  -Technical Data

  -Detail photos of the Ju 87A, B and D/G

  Not only was this title an enjoyable read, but is a key reference point for the work being done on my Airfix Stuka. This book contained all the information needed to revert from a B-2 back to a B-1 accurately, with both text and images. Just another example of why this title is a must in any Stuka modellers library.

• IPMS UK Magazine • 2013-09-28
  
• Model Aircraft 04/2008 • 2013-09-28
  
• IPMSUSA.org • 2013-09-28

  Reviewed By Phil Pignataro, IPMS# 17254

  Well known to modelers, the Stuka is synonymous with the German Blitzkrieg of WWII. This aircraft performed admirably in the close support mission as long as the Luftwaffe maintained air superiority. It contributed to victories in the Low Countries of Europe, the Soviet Union, and in North Africa. However, RAF fighters exploited its slow speed and lack of defensive armament in the air war over England and it was withdrawn from the fighting. The development of this important aircraft is extensively covered by the authors of this 6.5"x 9" soft covered book of 152 pages.

  The first part goes into the background of dive bombing and the development of the Stuka prototype. In the next fifty pages Michulec and Willis discuss all versions of the Ju-87 from the A-1 through the H. In addition to the extensive text, there are numerous photographs, drawings from technical manuals, and 1/72 scale drawings of each version. At the end of this section there is a two-page chart giving the specifications and performance data for each version. Further along are several pages of B&W photos highlighting details of the airframe. Again, these pictures are supplemented with drawings from technical manuals of the Ju-87. Details of the two aircraft on display at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry and Hendon's RAF museum are extensively covered with color photographs. Here too are drawings and photos from the original manuals for the aircraft. The final section of the book has twenty-five pages of color profile drawings of the different camouflage schemes that appeared on different versions of the aircraft.

  From my perspective, this is exactly the kind of book modelers need when looking for additional reference material on a particular aircraft. A wealth of detail is provided not only by the numerous photographs, but also by drawings from the aircraft's technical manuals. The color profiles offer many different camouflage schemes. All of this is very useful information for any modeler building a Ju-87.

  I highly recommend this book.

• SAMI • 2013-09-28

  by Paul E. Eden

  Mushroom Model Publications maintains the high standards of its Yellow Series of monographs with this fine volume on the Ju 87. As ever it is targeted firmly at the modeller, but it also contains much to recommend it to the serious enthusiast of combat aircraft or air warfare. As usual with these MMP books, this title cover's the subjects's origins and evolution, variants and technical features. This time around there is very little mention of operational use and given that these monographs are essentially technical in nature that seems no bad thing. When an aircraft has a combat history as long and complex as that of the Ju 87, it is probably best to either report on it in full, or not to touch it at all. It could be that Mushroom's detailed 1:72 scale drawings have reached a new level of quality with this new book, multiple views of multiple variants being enhanced with carefully chosen scrap views. The colour artwork is also to a higher standard than we have been accustomed to of late from this publisher, which is high praise indeed. It runs to 29 pages and covers only German subjects - other operators' Ju 87s are covered elsewhere in MMP's extensive catalogue.

  This superb book can be purchased for ?12.99 from your favourite specialist retailer, or for ?14.00, including postage and packing in the UK and Europe, direct from the publisher at 36 Ver Road, Redbourn, Hertfordshire, AL3 7PE, UK.

• InternetModeler.com • 2013-09-28

  Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

  The Junkers Ju 87 Stuka is to attack aircraft as the Spitfire or Bf 109 is to fighter aircraft. With its arrival, Germany could no longer claim that their Luftwaffe was strictly a defensive force, and its usage in the opening stages of the Second World War proved its offensive capabilities. As the war progressed, though, its slow speed coupled with rapid advances in fighter aircraft rendered it obsolete on the Western Front. The Stuka found plenty of use on the Eastern Front, though, where it operated in close concert with ground forces. In the role of close air support, the Ju 87 redeemed itself, and the type soldiered on successfully to the end of the war. This latest title from Mushroom Model Publications presents a detailed type history of the Ju 87, from the early beginnings with the Ju 87A through to the ultimate Stuka variant, the Ju 87D/G. Like other titles in the Mushroom Yellow Series, this book is packed with plenty of useful information. The text is quite well written, with a logical breakdown according to types. For those wanting the operational record, look elsewhere, as this is purely a description of the aircraft and the thought processes that led to its development and progression. In terms of illustrative material, this book truly shines. Spread throughout the pages are many great photographs, some of which I have not seen before. The coverage on the early Stukas is particularly impressive. Coupled with these period photos are several pages of detail shots showing close-ups of surviving museum examples. These will be of great use to the modeler. Finally, like most Mushroom books, this one leaves the last couple dozen pages for color profile illustrations. These cover everything from the Ju 87A to the Ju 87G, and every theater of operation: France and Britain, North Africa and the Mediterranean, and the Eastern Front. Notably absent, though are any foreign nations that flew the Ju 87. All the profiles presented (and the photos, for that matter) are of Luftwaffe aircraft.

  This is a great addition to Mushroom’s growing Yellow Series, and a nice single-point reference for the developmental history of the Stuka.

• Hyperscale.com • 2013-09-28

  Reviewed by Brett Green

  F i r s t R e a d

  The subject of Mushroom Model Publications' latest publication in the Yellow series is the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.

  This new book by Robert Michulec & Matthew Willis focuses on the development of the Stuka, from the concept to the prototypes and Ju 87 A model, through to the more recognised wartime variants, the B, R, D and G; plus the developmental cul-de-sacs - the C, E and H; and even the uncompleted developments such as the Ju 87 F, Ju 187 and Ju 287.

  The authors cover these developments succinctly using text, line drawings and historical photographs in the first 64 pages of the book.

  The next section comprises 35 pages of detail photos of surviving Stuka examples, images from wartime manuals, drawings and photos from the factory.

  The book is wrapped up with 19 pages of very attractive colour profiles of the Stuka in Luftwaffe service. A variety of colours and markings are covered on variants from the initial "Anton" production version to the Ju 8 G, which saw service until the last weeks of the war.

  Scale drawings and scrap views are used to good effect throughout the book to distinguish variants and specific features.

  This book covers the developmental history of the Ju 87 Stuka very well in text, diagrams and photographs. Please note that operational history is not discussed in any detail, but Mushroom's newest title will be useful to modellers wanting easy identification of variants and tehnical details, or inspiration from the many attractive colour profiles and well-captioned photographs.

  Recommended.

• ModelingMadness.com • 2013-09-28

  Reviewer: Scott Van Aken

  Probably the most effective and successful dive bomber ever produced, the Junkers Ju-87 is the subject of this new book from Mushroom Models Publications. Far from the failure that many have portrayed it in the past, the Ju-87, like any other bomber, required air cover or local air superiority in order to be able to perform its mission effectively. It was shown that when those conditions were met (which was most of the time), it was a devastating, precision weapon. When confronted by an aggressive air defense, it was a sitting duck. So the answer was not to use it where there was an aggressive air defense and so it made its mark in the early days of the war, over the deserts of North Africa, in the Balkans, and even more so in the Russian campaigns.

  This latest Mushroom Models book takes a good look at the Stuka, following their normal format. First there is a full history of the type. This includes a number of quality drawings that help us differentiate between the various sub types and even the differences added during production. It then goes into a photo-essay using the extant aircraft, of which there are very few. The Chicago Museum's Ju-87R is used for the second generation Stuka and the RAF Museum's D/G for the third generation version. The A model's photo essay is completely from period sources. Fortunately, Junkers did not destroy everything in sight at the end of the war so their aircraft are fairly easy to research as these things go. In addition to the walk-around images and superb period photographs, there are page after page of full color profiles.

  This all makes for a most complete book that is an excellent asset for both the historian and the modeler alike. If you have only one book on the Ju-87 for your shelves, this one should be it.

• Cybermodeler.com • 2013-09-28

  By Ray Mehlberger

  Mushroom Model Publications (MMP) is based in the UK. They have their books printed in Poland in cooperation with Stratus there in the English language.

  This new book is in MMP’s usual 6 ½” x 9” page format with soft cover, that they use for all their aviation books. This book has 152 pages.

  The Junkers Ju 87 “Stuka” was the spearhead of the German Blitzkrieg. It was a feared and infamous weapon used by the Luftwaffe from the Spanish Civil War until the end of WWII. A superb dive-bomber, later used as a close-support ground attack and anti-tank weapon, the Stuka thrived when air superiority could be guaranteed – but suffered badly when faced with effective fighter opposition, as in the Battle of Britain. Perhaps the most renowned aircraft used by the Luftwaffe, the Ju 87 is the one aircraft brought to mind when “dive-bomber” is mentioned.

  All versions of the Ju 87 are described and illustrated in this new book, from the initial production “Anton” A model to the tank-busting Ju 87G. The book is profusely illustrated with 113 black and white wartime photos, 41 line drawings in 1/72nd scale, 78 full-color walk-around type photos of Ju 87’s that are in the Museum of Science and Technology, Chicago USA, the Museum Lotwictwa Polskiego in Krakow Poland and the RAF Museum in Hendon UK. There are also 33 illustrations out of German tech manuals and 52 color profile paintings and 3 top view paintings of Ju 87 variants. The last page of the book has a bibliography.

  The profile paintings are all in Luftwaffe markings. No illustrations of Stukas that served with other air forces are shown. Nor is foreign service mentioned in the text. It would have been nice if these had been included.

  (MMP published a separate book on Foreign JU 87 Stuka see here Ed.)

  Chapters in the book are:

  Introduction

  Background

  Ju 87 Genesis

  Junkers Ju 87A

  Junkers Ju 87B

  Junkers Ju 87R

  Tropical versions

  Junkers Ju 87C

  Junkers Ju 87D

  Junkers Ju 87D night versions

  Junkers Ju 87E

  Junkers Ju 87G

  Junkers Ju 87H

  Uncompleted developments: Ju 87F, Ju-187 & Ju-287

  Junkers Ju 87 production

  Technical data

  Detail photos: Ju 87A, Ju 87B & Ju 87D-G

  Color profiles

  Bibliography

  On the back cover of the book are illustrations of the covers of 3 other books by MMP. One is titled “German Air Projects, Vol. 3”. It is reviewed elsewhere here on Cybermodeler. The other two are future releases: “Henschel Hs-126” and “Messerschmitt Me-163B Komet”.

  This is one neat book about the famous Stuka. It will be of interest to both air enthusiasts and modelers alike.

  Highly recommended.

• Model Airplane International 35 2008-06 • 2013-09-28