Focke-Wulf Ta 183 by Mr Tsuguo Sakuma (AMtech 1/48)

Focke-Wulf Ta 183

by Mr. Tsuguo Sakuma

Focke-Wulf Ta 183

AMtech's 1/48 scale Ta 183 is available online from Squadron.com

Introduction

The Focke-Wulf Ta Ta183 was designed by Kurt Tank, but perharps Hans Murthopf had a greater input to the work.

Professor Tank failed in a post-war Argentinean development of the jet fighter named Purky II which was based on the Ta183. I believe that a factor in the failure was the absence of an equivalent of Hans Murthopf in Argentina at the time. Murthopf moved to the United States from Britain, and passed away at the age of 59.

Additional European aircraft influenced by the design of the Ta 183 include the MiG-15, MiG-17 and the Flying Beer Barrel of Sweden, the SAAB J29.

The rivalry between German wartime designs extended into the Cold War. The Messerschmitt P1011 design influenced the American F86 Sabre; while the Ta 183 influenced the Mig15 - the classic sibling rivals of the 1950s, like Cain and Abel before them.

AMtech's 1/48 Scale Ta 183

The new model company, AMtech, burst onto the scene last year. The kits are manufactured in Korea according to the packaging, and Tamiya is marketing the kit in Japan exclusively through their website. The Japanese version of the kit comprises no box, a simple instruction sheet, and decals from their 1/48 scale Fw190A-3.

It is especially pleasing that AMtech has included four X4 cable guided missiles in the kit.

Construction

I thought that Messerschmitt would have monopolized the X4 rocket, so instead I attached R4M launchers instead. A tail light was attached to the top of a rudder. The towing bar was added, straight from Tamiya's Me262 kit part. I did know about the arrangement of the ejection seat harness.

Painting and Markings

I painted an RV band around the nose. The nose and tail were finished in natural metal, as was seen on some late-war German jets. The colours of the fuselage are RLM 81 Brown Violet and RLM 83 Dark Green.

The only decals were for the number 7 and the tail Swastika.

References

Jet Planes of the Third Reich by Monogram Publication
Military Aircaft Magazine Jan. 2000 issue by Delta Pubication (in Japan)

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Introduction

AMtech's 1/48 Scale Ta 183

Construction

Painting and Markings

References

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2002 by Mr. Tsuguo Sakuma Page Created 17 July, 2002 Last Updated 04 June, 2007

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2002 by Mr. Tsuguo Sakuma
Page Created 17 July, 2002
Last Updated 04 June, 2007