Fw 190A-5 ProfiPACK - 1:72 Eduard

[Julien]

Fw 190A-5 ProfiPACK

1:72 Eduard

The Focke-Wulf Fw190 was designed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930s. His aim was to create a fighter that was not only fast and agile, but also reliable. It had a wide track undercarriage to improve ground handling and also utilised electric rather than hydraulic controls to reduce the risk of system loss in combat. The Fw190 also marked a departure from aircraft like the Bf109 and Spitfire as it combined a 14 cylinder radial engine with a development of the NACA cowling system. This choice was crucial as it meant that the Fw190 would not create additional demand for DB 601 liquid cooled engines. It also allowed a low drag profile for such a powerful engine. Despite early teething problems, the Fw190 first entered operational service over France in August 1941. It proved to be quite a shock for the RAF whose 1440hp Spitfire Mk.V, the best fighter available at the time, was outclassed in terms of firepower and all round performance, particularly at lower and medium altitudes. The A-5 was developed when it was determined that the Fw 190 design could carry more ordnance. The engine was moved forward 6 inches thus moving the centre of gravity and allowing more weight to be carried aft.


The Kit
Eduard now seem to be on a mission to produce a long line of Fw 190 kits in 1.72 so the modeller of "The one true scale" does not miss out. The Fw 190A-8 profiPACK was reviewed here, and the Royal Class boxing here. The kit itself is made up of 92 plastic parts on three sprues of dark blue-grey plastic and a single clear sprue with the now-familiar circular layout. There are two fuselage sprues with slightly different parts, and by purchasing an extra "small" overtrees kit all of the decal options can be built. The instruction book is a glossy, stapled booklet with full-colour painting diagrams. Included are a sheet of colour photo etched parts, and a sheet of masks. All together, the impression is of a quality package.

The quality of the plastic parts is second to none. The mouldings are clean and crisp and there are no traces of flash and no sink marks. The surface detail on the outside of the airframe comprises recessed panel lines and delicately engraved rivet and fastener detail. It looks absolutely superb. Eduard haven't skimped on the detail elsewhere, with sub-assemblies such as the cockpit being up there with high end resin items when it comes to the quality and quantity of detail. The cockpit is made up of over thirty parts (including photo etched details), which is a truly phenomenal for a kit of this size. Photo etched details help to raise the level of detail a notch and cover the obvious items such as the rudder pedals, seat harnesses and instrument panel and side consoles, although for the latter two items there are plastic alternatives. Once assembled, the whole thing can be sandwiched inside the fuselage halves along with the firewall and the basic-but-good-enough-in-this-scale engine face.

Setting the semi-completed fuselage to one side for a moment, construction turns to the wing. The lower wing is moulded as a single span, to which the main spar (which also forms the rear wall of the main landing gear bays) must be added. The other parts which form the structures and details of the landing gear bays must be added at this point, prior to everything being fixed in place by the addition of the upper wing surfaces. The ailerons are moulded separately to the rest of the wing, which opens up some possibilities for the diorama builder, as well as enhancing the level of realism. Turning back to the fuselage, the rudder is also moulded as a separate part, although the tail planes are solid lumps. In common with other kits of the type, the upper fuselage forward of the cockpit is moulded separately (in this case as two parts with a third for the cannon barrels).

Once the basic airframe is together, its time to fit the undercarriage and other finishing details. Each of the main gear legs is made up of two parts, although you have the option of removing the plastic torque links and replacing them with photo etched versions. The wheels themselves are made up of nicely moulded tyres and separate hubs. This should make painting them much easier. Ordnance is taken care of with a drop tank and a single bomb, along with the associated racks and shackles. There are a number of small parts included to cover the final details, including the aileron balance weights and various aerials and antennae. The canopy deserves a special mention as there are four rear sections included; blown and unblown, with different parts for closed and open options. Two propellers are included as well, although only one is needed for the included options.

Decal options are provided for a generous five aircraft:

• Fw 190A-5 Werk No. 2594 Flown by Maj Hermann Graf CO of JGr Ost, Bordeaux, France, Spring 1943
• Fw 190A-5 Flown by Hptm Walter Nowotny, CO I./JG54 Grünherz, Orel, Autumn 1943
• Fw 190A-5 Werk No. 410055, Flown by Uffz Bernhard Kunze, 2./JG1, The Netherlands, October 1942
• Fw 190A-5 Werk No. 7328, Flown by Hptm Dietrich Wickop, CO II./JG1 , Woensdrecht, The Netherlands, May 1943
• Fw 190A-5 Flown by Hptm Egon Mayer, CO of III./JG2 Richthofen, France, Spring 1943

Each option is illustrated with a four-view profile as well as detailed illustrations of the propellers or drop tanks where appropriate. The decals, which are printed by Cartograf, look crisp, thin and glossy and the colours used are nice and bold. In addition to the main sheet there is a sheet of Stencils printed by Eduard.


Conclusion
Eduard have continued to deliver outstanding kits of the famous fighter, as well as providing a prime example of the kit maker's art. The level of detail they have packed in is as superb as the engineering is excellent, and the kit appears to be accurate in every major way. Overall this is a winning package and can be highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[sofiane1718]

Thanks for the great review as always.

I wasn't about to buy this one, but then, when I read that it's THAT good, well...

[PhantomBigStu]

Does this come with any non mottled schemes?

[dfqweofekwpeweiop4]

Does this come with any non mottled schemes?

Nowotny's has minimal mottling on the tail and being a Grunherz aircraft it's in RLM 70/71 camouflage too. Mayer's aircraft also looks to have minimal mottle and is in the more typical RLM 74/75 camouflage. Excellent kit, highly recommended, funnily enough I have one to go with all my Eduard A-8's!

thanks

Mike

[Julien]

Thanks for the great review as always.

I wasn't about to buy this one, but then, when I read that it's THAT good, well...

Thanks for your words. These really are great kits. The detail in them for 1/72 is quite surprising. Eduard are pulling the stops out with these it would seem.

Julien

[Viking]

Wow, that looks good. I'm very tempted....

[Duncan B]

Julien thanks for the review. I have already taken the plunge and bought two of the Profipack boxings and also bought 3 of the small parts Overtrees at the same time. for the small additional cost the Overtree sprue allows 2 complete kits to be made from the Profipack box, great value for money in my opinion.

The third Overtree sprue has been stuck in with my Royal Class box for the A8 as it includes 5 fuselage/wing sprue but only 4 of the small parts sprues as standard.

I can see many more of the Eduard 1/72 Fw190s in my stash in the near future.

Duncan B

[Julien]

Thanks Duncan. They are good kits. I thought it strange they did not include another parts sprue in the Royal boxing, but I guess if they are selling them as extra its a win win for Eduard. Given the quality of the kits I think they will be a big seller.

Julien