Junker Ju290 A-5 "Seeadler" Revell 1:72 (04340)

[Johni044]

Revell 1:72 Junkers Ju290A-5 “Seeadler” (04340)
KR+LK 1./FAGr, 5 Ergolding b. Landsberg
September 1944



The Ju290A was initially a militarised derivative of the Ju290 airliner built for Lufthansa. Originally it was to be used in the transport role the first trial airframe flew in January 1942.

Whilst still being tested Junkers started immediate production with the first example flying on 7th December 1942. A special feature of the plane was the “Trapo-Klappe” or transport ramp at the rear of the airframe which when deployed raised the entire rear end of the plane and allowed vehicles to be driven into the fuselage and opened in flight to allow the quick deployment of airborne infantry.

The dire need for long-range reconnaissance over the Atlantic resulted in the A-3 series of the 290 being developed, this had a range of some 3,000 km and an endurance of 20 hours.

Five A-3’s were built being before being developed into the A-4 from experience gained in operation with a flat turret with one MG 151/20 replacing the high turret of the initial build and a gondola under the front fuselage. The A-5 replaced the A-4 after only 4 aircraft, the latter being the definitive variant even though only eleven were made.

As well as heavier defensive armament and the Trapo-Klappe being retained to maintain a secondary transport capability. The 290 A-5 had substantial radio equipment fitted including the FuG 200 “Hohentweil” search radar for naval purposes.
















All 290 were destined to be re-built as long-range bombers to attack Russia but event overtook the plans and this never materialised.

A longer range 390 version with 6 engines was built, and it was one of these aircraft that is rumoured to have flown within a few miles of Manhattan on a proving flight, although evidence of this is somewhat suspect.

The kit itself I found went together very well, has a great level of detail and fantastic value for money. If making it I would recommend that the engines are built up as complete units including cowling as it’s a quite a big beast and a bit cumbersome to handle putting them on after the engines are fitted. You may want to look at the undercarriage, the wheels are a few millimetres wider than the bays on both sides, something I didn’t notice till fitting the U/C doors late in the build. A little disappointed in the finish, I hope I received a dodgy tin of Humbrol 245 as brush painting it was awful, it took 5 coats to get any depth of colour on it, which sort of affected the overall finish.

Still happy with it though.

[RobertA]

Humbrol sadly is getting worse and worse, when it comes to brushpainting..

But that aside, the model looks brilliant! A great looking model of a very interesting aircraft I knew nothing about, until now.. Thank you!

[patrickroos]

Wow!
I love it, Lufwaffe is my cup of tea, and this is a very interesting subject.
Congrats on a very good looking model and thanks for the writeup on the full-scale.

[HamilkarBarkas]

wow impressive model! i like it a lot, well done

[ludicrusmaximus]

She's still a sweet build! Very nice

[muskegman]

Very impressive I really like that a lot, well done

Mark