[MOC] Ju-87 Stuka in Tmimi (Libya), 1941

[Veynom]

Ju-87 Stuka in Tmimi (Libya) - 1941 by Veynom, on Flickr

This small scenery depicts a typical German Ju-87 R/2 (tropical version) in the Tmimi airfield in Libya during summer 1941. Historical photos show that at least 2 planes from the II/St.G 2 unit received this very particular paint scheme and only during summer (and maybe fall) of 1941. Reasons for this paint scheme remain unknown but it appears on multiple photos with 2 different plane markings for sure. I've built this for the "1941" contest of BrickMania.

Ju-87 Stuka in Tmimi (Libya) - 1941 by Veynom, on Flickr

The model - Junkers Ju-87 Stuka

• The Stuka is based on BrickMania JU-87 G-2 with quite a lot of modifications:
  • The paint scheme is changed from DBG to tan and dark green. (and believe me, this can be tricky and costly)
  • The nose and propeller are significantly different.
  • The wings angle is slightly higher on my model to match with the real one.
  • The landing gear has been changed (after 20 different trials, at least)
  • Armament has been converted to a 500Kg bomb + fuel tanks under the wings (the bomb drop system is fully functional)
  • Wing tips are different
  • Tail and rear fuselage underwent significant changes to accommodate the paint scheme (and available bricks)
  • The canopy is quite different
  • Markings comes from various 1/32 scale models
• The bomb loader is custom and looks quite well like the original tool developed specifically for the Stuka
• The engine crane is classic.
• A few accessories are spread around, depicting typical working conditions in North-Africa.

The Stuka was quite a challenging build, particularly given the limited available parts in tan and dark green. In the end, I like the results even if I think a couple of areas could still be improved.

All bricks are 100% Lego except a couple accessories (some crates and 2 machine guns). The Stuka antenna is just a non-Lego black wire.

Zoom on the bomb loading tool, developed specifically for the Stuka.

Ju-87 Stuka in Tmimi (Libya) - 1941 by Veynom, on Flickr

Ju-87 Stuka in Tmimi (Libya) - 1941 by Veynom, on Flickr

Ju-87 Stuka in Tmimi (Libya) - 1941 by Veynom, on Flickr

Ju-87 Stuka in Tmimi (Libya) - 1941 by Veynom, on Flickr

Note: I have also designed a DBG + yellow tail variant of the Stuka that served on the Bulgarian front in 1941 but the model is not yet built. 

Note 2; No photoshopping was involved. The pictures with the desert background were taken in front of a PC screen with a desert wallpaper being displayed. The desert is actually from Libya of course.

Edited December 8, 2021 by Veynom
Added note 2.

[SATSOK]

Awesome work !!!

[Feuer Zug]

Great work on modifying this classic dive bomber. The details are top notch.

[ParmBrick]

Excellent work! So much better than Brickmania model! Setting and accessories complete the whole

[TheBeeze]

This looks excellent! Nice work!

[Vliebricker]

Interesting dessertwar scene, Veynom, I've seen some of the original photographs you based it on. Very recognisable. I also saw the Stuka with registration number T6 AN. Here the A was red with a withe outline. Quite strange that they didn't outlined the red M of the T6 MP. Apparently these plane registration markings were not that uniform.

The solution of making your photo in front of a desert picture on your computer I find very creative. 😃👍