Focke-Wulf Ta 152H-0
(2-in-1)

Mark I Models, 1/144 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

RS Models 1/72 scale Miles Magister is available online from Squadron.com

Background

The Ta 152H was one of the ultimate and finest German fighters of WWII, primarily designed for high-altitude operations. Its development began in the summer of 1943 with an aim to supersede the Fw 190D-9. It was a single-seat monoplane of an all-metal structure, featuring an enclosed pressurised canopy and a retractable landing gear. It was powered by a Jumo 213E in-line piston engine and its armament comprised three cannons. The prototype, designated the Fw 190V33/U1, flew in July 1944 and the Ta 152 series production began in late 1944. Eventually, only some 43 machines were built, including 20 pre-production H-0 aircraft and a batch of the first series Ta 152H-1s.

The first Ta 152s entered service with the Luftwaffe in January 1945 and although being capable interceptors, they came too late to be used in their role and to make a significant impact on the air war over Europe. A number of Ta 152Hs fell into Allied hands and some of them were examined in Britain and the USA post-war.
Source: Mark I Ltd

Mark I Ltd is well known for their 4+ range of aviation booklets, Mark I Guides and decal sets, the CMR range of resin kits, and the Attack Hobbies 1/144-scale range of jet aircraft. This last range was re-boxed and released with new decals, along with two ex-Eduard 1/144 kits of the Bf 109G & Fw 190A.  Mark I has also released its own new tool 1/144-scale kits covering different versions of the Westland Wessex, Heinkel He 219, and Focke-Wulf Ta 152H.

Contents

The two kits come packed in a good quality end-opening box with nice artwork on the front, and a painting and markings guide for the four decal options on its rear. All parts are sealed in a plastic bag with the instructions, and the clear parts and decals are further enclosed in their own small bag.

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Thumbnail panels:

The instructions are formed by a fold-out sheet with colour printing. They include a parts map and clear assembly diagrams that are easy to follow. All text is in English, with detail colour call-outs included.

The instructions include a four-view coloured painting and markings guide for each option, with RLM colour codes used for the main airframe colours. The same kits are also available in an alternative 2-in-1 boxing MKM14438, covering the Ta 152H-1.

Mark I know quite a bit about the Ta 152H, having already published a 4+ Monograph on the subject, which was reviewed here on HyperScale by Glen Porter in January 2008. (I also have my own copy, and rate it as very good reference)

The Kit

Whilst this is a two-kit boxing, I shall use the singular kit in describing the contents.

The kit follows a conventional breakdown for this type of aircraft and all parts are crisply moulded with delicate recessed panel line detail.

The cockpit is formed from a styrene tub, seat, instrument panel, and headrest. There are decals for the instrument panel and side consoles of the tub. The basic detail seems quite adequate for this small scale, although some may opt to add a control column from stretched sprue. The canopy is clear and thin, and its flat panels mean there will be little distortion when viewing the interior.

This kit’s airframe should be very quick to build as the wings and horizontal stabilisers are one-piece mouldings; with the annular radiator, side air intake, prop, spinner, and undercarriage needed to complete the main structure. The undercarriage is very nicely done, with fine legs with torque links, nice doors with internal detail, structural detail in the wheel-wells, and nice wheels. A drop tank and its pylon finish things off.

The kit captures the lines of the real aircraft and high degree of moulding finesse. In theory panel lines in 1/144-scale are going to be overdone no matter how fine the moulding, but most would want something represented to add interest to the model.

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Colours & Markings

The four colour schemes offered with this the kit; these are:

• Fw Ta 152H-0, Black 0005 (W.Nr. 150005), Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau GmbH, Cottbus airfield, Germany, December 1944.

• Fw Ta 152H-0, Yellow 1, III./JG 301, Luftwaffe, Alteno airfield, Germany, January/February 1945.

• Fw Ta 152H-0, Yellow 2, III./JG 301, Luftwaffe, Alteno airfield, Germany, January/February 1945.

• Fw Ta 152H-0 (W.Nr. 150010), Aalborg airfield, Denmark and Wright Field AB, U.S.A., late 1945.

The decals appear to be excellent, as we would expect given the company's background in decal production.

This is a very simple good quality 2-in-1 kit of an attractive and interesting aircraft. It captures the look of the original well, with good finesse for the scale. I feel that it equals the quality benchmark established by Sweet for 1/144 WW2 fighter kits.

Neatly finished, this latest release from Mark I Models has the potential to produce a couple of little gems that will be very undemanding on display space.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Mark I Ltd for the review sample

Review Text & Images Copyright © 2015 by Mark Davies
Page Created 18 May, 2015
Last updated 18 May, 2015

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