Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8 - Airfix 1:72

[woody37]

Focke-Wulf FW190A-8

Airfix 1:72

Designed in the late 30’s, the 190 was a product of experience. Kurt Tank wanted much more than just a high speed machine, he wanted something that would prove reliable in the field, not just in the air, but on the ground. Unlike the top performers of the day, namely the 109 and Spitfire, the 190 had a wide track undercarriage to improve ground handling. It also utilised electric controls over hydraulic to reduce the risk of system loss in combat and the design enabled minimum use of trim adjustment throughout its flight envelope. The 190 deviated from the norm in comparison with the mentioned thoroughbreds above in that it used a 14 cylinder radial engine with a clever NACA cowling system to allow a low drag profile for such a powerful engine. Despite early teething problems, it first entered operational service over France in August 1941. Needless to say, it created a huge shock for the RAF whose Spitfire Mk.V with its 1440hp Merlin, the best available at the time was outclassed by its firepower and all round performance, particularly at lower and medium altitudes. The Fw190A-8 was quite a latecomer to the party going into service in 1944. As well as the enhancements throughout the 190’s mid war evolution, it featured improvements such as extra fuel, improved armour and nearly 2000hp output with emergency boost. In just 14 months, more than 6,600 A-8’s were produced, the most widely produced variant of them all and was still in production at the wars end.

The kit

The latest releases by Airfix have proven very popular and this one continues that trend. It is however not the first 190A-8 on the market, there was/are several already out including Heller, Revell, Hasegawa and Academy. Whilst the Academy and Heller kits aren’t as well regarded (based on reviews I've read), the Revell and Hasegawa kits are rather nice. Given that Hasegawa kits are usually much more expensive, the Revell kit has to be the nearest rival for the new Airfix offering and are currently going for similar prices online.

The kit comes in the striking new format of a gloss finish red box with digital image of the aircraft in combat. On opening the box from the end, you’re presented with the bag containing 3 light grey sprues and one clear one. First impressions are of some very nice moulding, recessed panel lines which are more reserved than some of their other recent releases are an obvious inspection point. They are however more pronounced than the Hasegawa kit which are very refined, but in my opinion, not over the top. There is virtually no flash and I can't see any sink marks. Instructions are in the form on an A4 booklet with large clear diagrams, ideal for beginners and young children...and people like me who have worn their eyes out staring at small bits of plastic!!!

Construction is very similar to the other kits on the market, starting with the cockpit. The tub is very nicely detailed with switch and panel detail on the side walls and rear combing. There’s also a small but adequate amount of detail on the inner fuselage walls too. A control column and rudder pedals add further busyness in the pit. The only thing I don’t like is that the main panel is void of any detail, the dials are supplied in decal format only, however I guess that is personal choice. A clever addition is a single part that goes between the two fuselage halves that protrude through to form the exhausts. I’ve heard of some fit issues on build reviews, so I’d recommend plenty of dry fitting before gluing the two halves together. I’ve heard of someone gluing the two halves together first then fitting the cockpit assembly from underneath afterwards, so this is an option to consider. The upper cowls including the nose machine guns fit into place. An error I’ve read of on Britmodeller is that the forwards upper panel actually protrudes over the nose ring rather than butting up against it as in the kit, so if you desire, filling the natural line and rescribing a new one is a possibility although quite fiddly I would expect.

A separate rudder and the tail panes slot into place quite simply next before moving on to the wings. Surface detail on the wings look very good, the only thing that stands out is an overly thick trailing edge on the flaps which looks unnecessary. I will prefer to do what I can to thin this down, but I know from a build here on Britmodeller this can pose a few issues with how the sanded wing meets the root. Another little criticism is that you have to install the protruding wing guns before joining the top and bottom wings up. Whether you’re an adult with sausage fingers or a child with busy ones, I suspect that keeping all these on until the end will be quite a challenge!

The gear bays are superb. I’m impressed with how the detail has been moulded into the upper wings without leading to any sink marks in the exterior surface. There’s a choice of either raised or lowered undercarriage and again, this is where clever design work has helped. The legs and wheels, whilst not the best I’ve seen in finesse, are pretty good, but I really like the retracted option that has completely separate parts. A retracted tail wheel option is also included

The engine and nose ring fit simply to the front of the fuselage, but the sprue attachment points are quite chunky and in awkward locations. If care isn’t taken removing the ring from the sprue, it will be easy to damage quite a prominent part of the kit. The same goes with the fan part that sits behind the engine. If you’re planning to build this kit with quite young children (as I am), I’d recommend that you cut these from the sprues for them.

Two canopies are provided, the earlier more angular version and the blown one that was introduced during the A-8 series. The instructions only indicate fitting of the earlier type, but the later part is there if you need it. One of my pet hates with older Airfix kits is the poor clear parts, but these are excellent with a separate windscreen if you prefer to have it in the open position.

The Decals

A single scheme decal sheet is provided in the pack. The quality based on appearance is superb. Incredibly fine and in excellent register, which given the thin red / yellow snakes along the fuselage sides is quite critical. There’s plenty of fine stencils/placards and of course the cockpit panel too. Unfortunately, the sheet doesn’t provide the tail Swastika’s, although I do understand why. The livery supplied is an aircraft of Jagdgruppe 10 based at Pachim, Germany 1944 employed in the testing of armament and tactics involved in fending off Allied bombers:

Conclusions

There are a few tricky bits to deal with as mentioned above, but at the price these are retailing at, I believe that Airfix are getting back to their roots in a 21^st century style. Whilst I don’t have 1/72 plans to compare the kit against, on appearance, the shape and detail is very good is good and the kit has the scope to satisfy experienced modellers who like this subject in 1/72 scale as well as beginners taking their first dip into modelling. Perhaps providing a couple of decal schemes would have been a welcome option. That said, due to the deliberate omission of the Swastika’s, the purists may go down the aftermarket route anyway, or at least raid the spares box. Thanks to the people who have already delved into making this kit and who's feedback I've included in the review.

Review sample courtesy of

[Duncan B]

Well I'm ten minutes into the build of mine and I'm not happy. I'll leave the rant for somewhere else but those sprue gates combined with the soft plastic are doing my head in (broken parts) and I also have a V tailed fuselage (badly warped halves).

I hope the EE Lightning will be better moulded than this, the crispness of the Trumpeter kit without the mistakes please Mr Airfix!

Duncan B

[FalkeEins]

..cheer up mate, it gets better...just finishing mine - didn't break anything getting it off the sprue this time - and while fit was a little tricky in places, generally I can see this becoming the benchmark 190 in this scale. The review is spot on for an 'in-box'..

[Navy Bird]

Great review, as always! I guess I will have to buy a few copies, just because the wheel wells look so good. Much better than the Hasegawa kits in my stash. The Airfix nose ring looks to be a challenge, but what the 'eck. Somewhere it says modeller in my C.V.

I don't care much for these markings (although the snake would have appealed to me in my youth), so perhaps I will wait for the Series 2 kit.

Cheers,

Bill

[Duncan B]

..cheer up mate, it gets better...just finishing mine - didn't break anything getting it off the sprue this time - and while fit was a little tricky in places, generally I can see this becoming the benchmark 190 in this scale. The review is spot on for an 'in-box'..

It was annoying me so much I couldn't sleep (on nights) so got back up and gave it another bash for a while. If I can get it off the sprue without adding to the parts count it could look really good once built up, I can see the potential, especially at that price (well I am Scots!)

Duncan B

[Roman Schilhart]

There is in fact one serious issue with the Airfix Kit: it's the landing gear.

Compare it with the ones from Revell, Hasegawa or Tamiya - and you'll find out it's overlength, measuring about 2-3mm.

This will be difficult to correct in order to keep the stability of the undercarriage.

Airfix leg (darker shade in the back)

Revell leg (light grey in front)

Note the different position of the scissor links.

Edited September 2, 2013 by Roman Schilhart

[FalkeEins]

....lay the part down inside the wheel well. I think if the gear legs were too long they would not fit correctly into the well - and they do. Looks fine to me..here's my first one. The Fw 190 with the red spinner is the Revell kit. Please can some-one (Colin?) consider giving us an 'un-bulged' upper cowl so that I can get some A-5s and A-6s done, the 'old' Aeroclub white metal part doesn't fit this new tool..

Edited August 30, 2013 by FalkeEins

[Duncan B]

I didn't think I'd like the markings that came with the kit but seeing that I'm having second thoughts. It certainly looks like a 190 to me anyway, there is more filler on mine than I would have liked from a new tooling but that was the same for the Vampire too. For a straightforward build of a late 190 the Hasegawa kit is still king IMO but if fettling, dry fitting, filling and sanding are your thing then the Airfix kit will certainly entertain.

Duncan B

[Navy Bird]

I would think that if the gear legs fit proper in the wheel wells, then the legs must represent the uncompressed state and would therefore be too long for a model built with the gear down. After looking at the photo posted by Roman that certainly seems to be the case - the Airfix legs are in the uncompressed state. But no matter, I am modeller - have knife, need stitches!

Cheers,

Bill

PS. The cottage industries are already at work preparing replacement legs. Are they really in cottages? A hangar would be a bit more appropriate, wouldn't you say?