JK Resin

German WWII Luftwaffe
SC500 comb crates
with SC500 bomb

In my review of set 72035, I wrote that "I would actually be very pleased if JK Resin would release a separate set, containing just the bombs and decals". JK Resin must have read my review as this is the set I was referring to.

The modeler gets 5 closed crates and one hollow, open crate. The single SC500 bomb that comes with this set can be placed inside, if so desired. What is not immediately apparent (to me at least) is that there are actually two types of crates: one type with rope handles and one with metal handles.
Three extra small crates are provided, which I assume hold the EL.A.Z 55 fuses. If so, then these boxes are slightly oversized (by about 5%), but I guess that won't detract anyone looking at a diorama that contains them.
The SC500 bomb is within a 2% tolerance in dimensions, but I didn't find any info about shape or size of the box for the bombs.

Further parts are provided for the missing detail on the bottom of the crates (parts 4 - it took me a while to figure out their purpose), and a small PE set (labeled 72037 - which is strange as 72037 is a set of Zimmerit sheets). At first, I was not quite sure how to use the PE parts, but looking at the manual and the boxtop, I came to the conclusion that they are the straps and hooks that will attach the bomb to the aircraft. If this is correct, then only two of the six straps are needed; the other four being for differently sized bombs in other sets, like 72039 and 72040.
The use of the small copper strand that is included, eludes me, however. It might possibly be for the stabilizing rods between the fins of the bomb, but if this is the case, then I think it would be better replaced by stretched sprue or very thin steel rod.

The resin parts are cast in the (by now well-known) black resin which JK Resin manages to cast very thinly, while very delicately detailed and free of any blemishes. Some of the details, like the hooks for the latching mechanism, are actually thinner than the flash that comes in many injection models, and are very easily damaged.

To complete the set, two decal sheets are provided with tiny (though readable) stencils, their use being explained in the instruction leaflet. These decals really make the set stands out and I believe it will be very difficult for anyone to outdo the quality of this set.
Now, what about a set only including bombs and decals in sufficient quantity to fit out a few aircraft ?

Assembly

Bomb
A general remark about the bombs that come in the various JK Resin sets is that the fins are very close to scale, meaning that they are very thin, meaning that they are very, very fragile. As the tails of the bombs need to be removed from their casting blocks, there is a very high risk of damaging a few of them (which happened to me). The clean-up afterwards is also something to be very careful with, as you can easily end up with four slanting trailing edges of unequal length.

Another remark is that the stabilizing rods needs to be added to these fins (if one cares about this detail). I believe this is best not done with the strand of copper wire that comes with the set (although it is commendable that it is included at all); stretched sprue or very thin steel wire being a better alternative. Even then, getting four equal and matching lengths glued on, while ensuring that they are aligned along all the axes and without using a visible blob of superglue is a challenge that is not for the faint of heart. If you decide to keep the bomb in its box, then, of course you can get away with a single rod (and some damaged fins), as the others cannot be seen.

The PE lifting straps went on easily, but the lifting eyes are easily lost. Fortunately the set carries some spares.

When painting the bombs, the modeler has some freedom, but the official colors can be found here. I painted mine in a locally mixed grey-green resembling RAL 7027, which according to the aforementioned source is the correct color.

Boxes
The boxes are also a delicate affair, especially the open one. If care is not taken, tiny protuberances representing the closing mechanism will easily get damaged, for instance when turning the boxes over to add the wooden slats to the bottom.
The lid for the open box was slightly warped in my example, but nothing a bath in hot water couldn't take care of.
I wanted to give my boxes a more pronounced wood grain texture, but in doing so damaged some detail as the resin, surprisingly, reacts to acetone and as handling these boxes will invariably risk damaging the tiny latches. As a consequence, the detail that the pictures of the painted boxes show is no longer quite representative.

Decals
I'll probably repeat myself when saying that the inclusion of very finely printed decals in this set is an extremely attractive feature.
The tiny decals settled well, but the stripes for the bomb fins needed some persuasion from a setting fluid, which made them adhere snugly. Note that I actually used the yellow stripes from set 7035, which had a printing issue (which is not present in the decals for this set). Indeed, the yellow stripes are made of two layers (one white and one yellow), which are offset with respect to one another.
Looking at the instruction sheet and boxtop, it seems that there is no real fixed location for the stenciling of the crates.

Review sample kindly provided by JK Resin.

JK Resin kits can be purchased from

Article Last Updated:
28 October 2018
01 November 2019