1/72 Airfix Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8/R6

Gallery Article by Gerd Wilcken on Jan 22 2014

 

 

The first prototype of the Fw 190 first flew on 01st June 1939. The series production starts at the end of 1940. The RLM ( Reich Air Ministry ) had ordered 102 production aircraft from Focke Wulf in Bremen. They were designated Fw 190 A-1. 

At the last quarter of the war, in February 1944, the Fw 190A-8 went into production. The A-8 generally had a stronger engine and much larger propeller blades, made of wood. Late specimens also had a blown canopy, which improved the pilot's visibility significantly.

Under the “Fighter Emergency Program” the production of the Fw 190 was increased significantly in late 1944. So to the end of the war, 6550 Fw 190A-8 were built.

 

Click on images below to see larger images

AIRFIX has renewed piece by piece its very old kits. After initial blunders, the quality got better. So there are three light gray sprues with 49 parts, a transparent frame with four parts, a decal sheet and instruction sheets. The components are clean and have fine structures. The cockpit is formed of six parts. The tub for the pilot is the biggest part. A well detailed pilot figure is included. Two decals make the instrument panel. The exhaust nozzles are glued from the inside. The supporting surface consists of a top and bottom part. There, the rudders and flaps are each modelled with. This ensures sharp trailing edges. Few indicated holes still need to be broken for panelling in the area weapons and the ETC.

Said rudder consists of a single piece. This also applies to the two halves of the horizontal stabilizer. The tubes of the wing arms are glued individually. Also on top of the fuselage there are above two inserts in the bow area. The landing gear can be displayed on or extended. There are each separate parts. The extended landing gear is nicely detailed. The engine is integrated with the armored ring. Before that, still comes the fan and the propeller with Spinner.  At the ETC a replica of a 300l tank can be attached. The canopy alternatively can be presented open or closed.

The two things I missed, is at first the “Rüstsatz R6 Werfer Granate 21 (Rocket/Grenade)” which are typical for the Jägergruppe 10 and could be seen on original photos. Fortunately I find an old JO HAN Bf Me-109 Kit on Ebay, which had these rocket throwers. The second is that AIRFIX forget all radio communication antennas. There are also no tips in the instruction sheet where to place them...not good for beginners.

The decal sheet is printed perfectly on a light blue backing paper. Unfortunately, there is only one painting variant. But this is mapped on the back of the multi-colored box. As compensation, there is a full program of maintenance instructions. The color notes refer to the Humbrol color system.

As a conclusion, in my opinion it is one of the best Fw-190 kits on the market, absolutely high standard for a very, very good price.

Version

  • Fw 190A -8, black with red border 11, Jägergruppe 10, Parchim, Germany 1944/1945

As usual, I presented nearly all my kits on a little diorama. In this case “Die Leiter klemmt” it`s the situation directly before the start and the internal boarding ladder stuck. The NCO with the start flag waits and three mechanics try to solve the problem. Therefore I will present this diorama on events in Germany, I can't place swastika decals on the model.

Enjoy it!

Gerd Wilcken

Click on images below to see larger images

      

Photos and text © by Gerd Wilcken