Here is something one does not see every day. That is a sheet for a 1/48 airliner. Sure, there are a few out there for the DC-3, but with the release of the ProModeler, and now Revell Ju-52, there is an opportunity to concentrate on some of the pre-war airlines.

The Ju-52 was a relatively popular aircraft in Europe in the mid-1930s. The plane was relatively comfortable, was built 'locally' (unlike the DC-2/3), and was easy to maintain. It was also less expensive that the DC-3. Though not as fast, speed was not really needed for the relatively short distances flown on national and Continental flights. Frankly, few could afford an airplane ticket in those days, so there was not the sheer numbers  of flights that we have today.

Techmod concentrates, and rightly so, on subjects that are Polish in nature. So it is that we have the first, to my knowledge, sheet for the Ju-52 airliner in 1/48. This sheet concentrates on the Polish national airline, LOT. Now I'm not really sure how many Ju-52s the airline had, as this sheet concentrates on just one aircraft. Undoubtedly due to the size of the registration numbers on the sheet! It does, however, cover the subtle changes in the markings of the aircraft from 1936 until Poland was overrun by the Germans in 1939.

The first plane is the standard delivery scheme. Nearly all Ju-52/3m airliners were in silver with black trim and the LOT plane is no exception.

The next change comes with the addition of 'LOT' above the entrance door and on the nose, a change in the size of the lettering under the passenger windows, and the painting of the engine cowling fronts from silver to red.

In the final scheme, the 'LOT' disappears from above the door and the lettering under the windows changes to a taller font.

As with all Techmod decals, the decals are crisp and thin. There is not much in the way of data decals, but you do get the prop warning stripes and logos to add to your kit.

With this sheet, you can now be the first in your club with a quarter scale Ju-52 airliner!

Review copy courtesy of Air Connection. They have a full selection of Polish and other Eastern European products. When you shop there, say Modeling Madness sent you! Thanks for your support.

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