Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-2

Eduard ProfiPACK, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Eduard's 1/48 scale Fw 190 A-3 is available online from Squadron.com
 

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger is a German single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930s and widely used during World War II.

Along with its well-known counterpart, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the Focke-Wulf 190 Würger became the backbone of the Luftwaffe's Jagdwaffe (Fighter Force).

The twin-row BMW 801 radial engine that powered most operational versions enabled the Fw 190 to lift larger loads than the Bf 109, allowing its use as a day fighter, fighter-bomber, ground-attack aircraft and, to a lesser degree, night fighter.

The Fw 190 A started flying operationally over France in August 1941, and quickly proved superior in all but turn radius to the Royal Air Force's main front-line fighter, the Spitfire Mk. V, especially at low and medium altitudes. The 190 maintained superiority over Allied fighters until the introduction of the improved Spitfire Mk. IX.

In November/December 1942, the Fw 190 made its air combat debut on the Eastern Front, finding much success in fighter wings and specialised ground attack units called Schlachtgeschwader (Battle Wings or Strike Wings) from October 1943 onwards.

The Fw 190 provided greater firepower than the Bf 109, and at low to medium altitude, superior manoeuvrability, in the opinion of German pilots who flew both fighters.

The introduction of the BMW 801 C-2 resulted in the Fw 190 A-2 model, first introduced in October 1941. The A-2 wing weaponry was updated, with the two wing root-mounted 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17s being replaced by 20 mm MG 151/20E cannon.

The most notable change over the A-0 was the addition of three vertical cooling slits on the engine cowling, just forward of the wing.

Eduard continue to work through the variants of the Wurger family with this latest in their new-tool series, the Fw 190 A-2. This new series has no parts at all in common with Eduard's earlier family 1:48 scale Fw 190 kits. Engineering and fit are greatly superior to the original kits too.

This is the first time that Eduard has offered the A-2 variant as a standalone kit, although the sprues did appear in the Royal Class boxing late last year.

The fuselage for this new Fw 190 A-2 has the cooling slots in the sides of the engine cowling and the flatter-style aerial wire anchor point on the top of the fin. These are not done by inserts - they are full and specific fuselage halves.

This kit also comes with two complete sets of wings - one with the MG 17 and MG 151 armament, and the later stylle with the MG FF cannon.

Also provided are two resin parts representing the inner gear doors.

This 1/48 scale Fw 190 A-2 ProfiPACK release contains nearly 200 parts in grey plastic and 10 clear plastic parts, plus the two resin parts and a colour photo-etched fret, canopy and wheel masks, markings for five nicely varied aircraft plus stencil decals. However, it is important to note that the total grey plastic parts actually used is only around 110, and even some of these are options, so you will have plenty of fodder for your spares box!

The kit features superb surface textures comprising crisp panel lines and very fine rows of recessed rivets where appropriate.

Both sets of wings are supplied without inserts for bulges and panels - just nice full span lower wing and two single-piece upper wing halves.

Eduard's Wurgers also boast a very high level of detail, particularly in the cockpit with colour photo-etched parts, and the opportunity to upgrade the basic engine provided in the kit with aftermarket parts.

The photo-etched fret boasts the recent innovation of glossy curved lenses over the individual dials. You can't see it in the photo, but the effect looks great to the naked eye!

Two versions of the early flat canopy are included - one representing and open canopy and the other closed. On the real Würger, the canopy was somewhat flexible. This flexibility was further enhanced with a short hinge on the top. This was necessary because the canopy rails tapered inwards back along the fuselage, requiring the front bottom corners of the canopy to pinch inward when opening (ie, the width was narrower when the canopy was open).

This attribute has been conveniently ignored by all Fw 190 models to date - an open canopy would simply overhang the sides of the canopy deck.

My clear parts are thin and free from distorion. The late blown canopy is included too, as is armoured glass for the Sturmbock version, but these will not be used in this instance.

The colour photo-etched frets add useful detail. In fact, it is difficult to imagine anyone being able to match the realism of these crisply printed parts with paint. This fret provides the harness, instrument panel and side consoles in full colour, plus supplementary metal detail parts for the cockpit and aircraft exterior. The instrument panel should look fantastic when assembled, incorporating all the tiny details of the dials and the characteristic coloured surrounds of the engine gauges.

Another nice touch is the inclusion of canopy and wheel masks in Eduard's thin flexible yellow masking material.

Instructions are supplied in a 16 page A-4 size colour booklet, with a detailed history on the front page followed by a parts list, construction steps, and full-colour marking guides for each of the five subjects, each with a four-view illustration, and finally a stencil placement guide.

Marking Options

Markings are provided for five aircraft, all finished in the mid-war scheme of RLM 76 lower surfaces, with RLM 75 Grey Violet and RLM 74 Grey Green on the upper surfaces.

The main decal sheet is satin in texture and printed by Eduard.

A set of decal stencils are also included.

The stencil markings are printed in a flat finish and are also produced by Eduard.

Eduard has delivered an excellent kit of the early Wurger variant.

I have built the Fw 190 A-4 in this new family of Eduard Wurgers and it was a delight - a fast build and excellent fit all round. I don't expect that this one will be any different.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2018 by Brett Green
Page Created 4 December, 2018
Last updated 5 December, 2018

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