Customer Reviews

WWII Stuka - Yellow Nose

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After reading the reviews and seeing the Stuka in a local toy store I was determined to buy it. I did so today and am not disappointed. As everyone else has said, the missing swastika is a big disappointment. . .it was a Nazi weapon and the markings should be accurate. Let's not start rewriting history folks! Otherwise it is a superb collectible at a superb price. Assembly is not bad if you use a bit of olive oil on the wing inserts and use a LOT of patience. Perhaps 21st could include decal "bars" that could be used to complete the swastika. They wouldn't need to include instructions. . .history buffs like me would know how to complete the insignia. The pilot is easy to place in his seat if you remove the bottom portion of his legs- they aren't visible anyway and you'd save a lot of grief and sweat. Buy it, hang it from the ceiling with fishing wire in a steep dive and watch how folks admire it when they see it for the first time! I hope 21st will put out a Zero, a Val and perhaps the Dauntless, the plane with the distinction of sinking the Japanese carriers at Midway. I'm a fan, this isn't my first 21st Century purchase and if they keep up this level of quality/affordability it won't be my last. Thanks for the Stuka guys.

In a past reality, the Stuka was slow and underarmed. RAF Spitfires literally ate them up in the Battle of Britain. Its usefulness was as an integral part of Blitzkrieg (lightning war), providing precision bombing and terror. Sirens on the plane (mounted on the landing gear wheel/strut covers) and whistles on the bombs were a frightening prelude to explosive and indiscriminate destruction. And yes, precision bombing can be indiscriminate when used against a civilian populace to instill sound-associated terror. For this purpose, the Stuka reigned supreme. The Stuka was a mission-specific tool, that was very successful at the beginning of WWII and in areas where the Luffwaffe had air supremacy.

We researched this information before finally locating this very difficult to find 21st Century XD "model" (we ordered it here). We also have the F4U-1D Corsair, another 21st Century masterpiece. Because the Stuka has fixed landing gear (the Corsair has retractable landing gear more suited to a collector's adulation), it is infinitely sturdier and can be considered more than an adult display model. It has the playability a mindful "kid" can enjoy.

Unpacking (allow fifteeen minutes to untwist the packing ties) and assembly (another fifteen minutes) of this monster is strictly adult. The wings need to be forcefully inserted with enough pressure that can break them (hint, use a little vaseline and lock the bottom of the wing in first then rock the wing to lock the top, again alot of force is necessary). Machine oil on the propellor will make it spin freely (hint, carefully pull and rock the propellor away from the fuselage to stretch the plastic, then oil). When installing the pilot and gunner, it's easier if you remove the canopies that snap off. The pilot seems to have a big butt and needs to be forcefully pushed into his seat for his head to clear the canopy (hint, do not install his holster, it will fall off in this process). Incidently we found the goggleless figure made a better pilot (do you need sunshaded goggles when diving towards the ground?...anyway he was a better fit).

The details are amazing. The pilot and gunner come with attachable holsters and oxygen masks (how the masks fit on the figures without glue is a mystery). There is a window below the pilot's foot controls (yes, there are foot pedals in the cockpit) for bomb-release-confirmation. There is a clear cover on the left wing for landing light and/or camera. The tires are rubber and the tail rudder and rear air-foils work. One detail though is an omission (for political correctness we surmise). It is the swastika on the tail fin. I must add my criticism to the others posted. This is an item our research found to be on every photograph of the Stuka. Offensive, yes, but it is an historical fact. History cannot and should not be rewritten, hence the four stars for educational value. The Stuka will be a sellout, as will the Corsair. Looking forward to see the ME-262 and the RAF Spitfire.

To sum this immaculate piece would be to only speak one word: Incredible. This is perhaps THE best vehicle of it's caliber made by ANYONE in the world today. As a huge fan of the old War-Birds- European, Asian, OR U.S.- I very nearly rejoiced in the aisle. The Stuka was, and still is, my favorite craft of the great Luftwaffe. I was admittingly disappointed by the lack of a full swatstika on the tail. To have it applied would have boosted this piece's historical accuracy to the 5-star level. No matter; that's why God made hobby stores.
All in all, I am very impressed indeed on the job 21st had done. They are a remarkable company and I hope that they expand their line. It would be very nice to see a Spitfire or even a B-17 Flying Fortress in the near future. If anyone from 21st Century is reading this, please take special note ;)
--Milwaukee, WI

I bought the Stuka mostly because of the negitive reviews I have seen on this web site. The ONLY fault I can find is the decal on the tail. Other than that there is NOTHING wrong with this plane. It has fantastic detail. I even put the proper pilot in the right seat with the bottom half of their legs on. Imagine that & I'm a 59 year old woman. The adults that can't put this plane together ought to stop wineing & get a child of 5 years old to do it for them if they can't.

When I was young boy I loved to build WW 2 model aircrafts and dreamed of some day seeing one. The Stuka has always been my favorite and I finally seen one at the Musem of Science and Industry in Chicago around 1960. I read the reveiws about this Stuka model and didn't know if it would look real or like a toy. I was very happy when it show up today and it took me about 10 minutes to snap it together. All parts were tight, everthing fit perfectly. The detail is very nicely done and the Stuka is well built. If you love the Stuka airplane the way I do then don't miss out on this great aircraft. This model is like the real thing. It now hangs in my home office with the rest of my collection. Thanks 21th Century for the great job you did on the Stuka aircraft.

I have been a fan of the Junkers JU-88 "Stuka" for many years. Although many WWII avaiation buffs consider this to be an ugly aircraft, especially when compared to the streamlined form of the Spitfire or Mustang, I have always found its angular shape with protruding intakes, greenhouse canopy and inverted gull wings to have a somewhat pleasing form. This replica made by 21st Century Toys was no exception! I was quite delighted when I learned that they had made a 1-18 scale replica of this aircraft (and that even came with two crewmembers), although I had to wait a couple of months until they became avaliable in the store.
The aircraft is a very accurate replica of this famous dive bomber that proved to be so effective for the German Whermark and Luftwaffe during the Blitzkreig period early in the war. It is a type B variant(as noted by the canopy shape and armament) and has a detailed exterior with accurate markings. In addition to the dive brakes, a gun camera has been installed on the port wing and the rudder and elevator control surfaces even function! The aircraft comes with five bombs that attach to hardpoints on the wings and under the fuselage. The cocpit canopy slides open in two parts to reveal a highly detailed interior. The instruments and switches are painted, and the control stick, trim wheel, rudder pedals and throttle are all included. The aft portion of the cocpit has a stool for the gunner, as well as a radio set, Oxygen tanks, ammo box and a 7.92mm machine gun mounted on a swivel mount in the canopy.

The aircraft replica is rather durable, although the definsive gun is somewhat brittle and may break off if one is not careful when opening the canopy; also watch out for the dive breaks under the wing. The gunner fits in his station quite well, although some work is needed to get the pilot into his station so that the canopy can close. The assembly is simple, though the wings are difficult to attach. Once on however, they will not detach!
I am anxious to see what WWII aircraft 21st Century Toys will make next. I am hoping for a British Spitfire or a Japanese A6M Zero! I have greatly enjoyed this latest addition to the X-treme Detail 1-18 scale air force. I have proudly hung the Stuka on my bedroom ceiling along with my other model airplanes. I recommend this toy/model to any collector or WWII Aviation enthusiast as it is a wonderful tribute to a legendary aircraft!

So, you want the dreaded Stuka for your 1/18 scale collection. Well, there's good news and not-so-good news. First the good. The notorious Stuka has always been one of my favorites and when I saw it ... I just had to have it. It has the Africa paint scheme with the long snake insignia. The detail is very good, especially inside the cockpit and the weathering effect on the light blue bottom is beautiful. It has very sturdy construction and the assembly is not too difficult, but be sure to follow the assembly suggestions of the other reviewers.
Now the not-so-good. QUALITY CONTROL. I went to a couple of nearby stores and examined 7 of these Stukas. All of them had flaws and I'm not talking about little things to give it a 'wear' and 'weathering' look. Some had problems with the paint application of the snake, some had badly misaligned camoflage where the fuselage halves are joined, others had glue smudges (with fingerprints) and glue drips in prominent locations. The one I bought had the fewest problems but it still needs work before I put it on display. Specifically, I have to cut one of the horizontal tail struts off the fuselage (its glued on) and reposition it so it will fit in the hole under the tail piece, the yellow paint on the spinner is in rough shape and there are 4 glue smudges that I will need to paint over. And this Stuka was the best of the bunch. I would be cautious about ordering one of these online, better to go to the store and compare them. 21st Century did a fabulous job designing and engineering this model, but sadly the assembly leaves a lot to be desired. This model has a lot potential and I would gladly pay a few dollars more if 21st would improve the quality. That said, I have no doubt that when I finish the work, this will be a truely awesome display piece. I'm planning to hang it in a dive attitude. I can hardly wait!

I found the 1/18 scale "Stuka" dive bomber extremly accurate in detail in both the details of the plane itself and the flight crew. If it were not for the lack of correct tail markings this "toy" would be a museum piece. The next point is the size of the plane. The picture on the website does not do justice to its scale.

The only negative is the wings were extremely difficult to attach and may not be suitable for a child to assemble unaided.

I would highly recommend this plane for any collector.

Sincerely,
Scouts87_90

This toy is beyond awesome. It has a massive 30" wingspan with a 25" tip to tail length. Comes in two paint jobs - I have the dark paint job (no snake). Has four small bombs (250 kg) and one large bomb. The engine cowling and dive siren propellors on the landing gear make this toy a model Ju87-B2 - paint job makes is part of the France 1940 Western Front offensive (II Gruppe, 6th Stfl). It was easy to assemble, the greatest challenge being installing the main wings (once they are on they are NOT coming off). Comes with two figures that figure (tightly) in the cockpit. Rudders moves and large bomb can drop. No swastika on the tail, but hardly a surprise (it is a toy after all). An expensive toy... but definitely worth it in my opinion. This was the first toy of the Xtreme Detail series that I purchased. I still can't believe someone actually produced it - next I'll get another to kit bash into a Kanonenvogel (Ju87G Tank Killer - Hans Ulrich Rudel). I'd like to see a US B17 or B24 Bomber in 1:18th scale or something Soviet!

At last, there is an excellent presentation of the dreaded Stuka available without having to spend countless hours with paint and glue. The details and figures are fantastic! And yes,the swastika
is omitted, yet anyone who has built model planes know that planes of the Luftwaffe have been distributed without the Nazi symbol over the last twenty-five years. There are decal sheets for sale at hobby shops, or use a steady brush hand. Don't let this stop anyone who wants a great model of this historical plane. I have several kits of the Stuka, and I will proudly display 21st Century's creation among them.