Focke-Wulf Ta 152H-1
Special Schemes

Mark 1 Models, 1/144 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

Sword's 1/72 scale scale Gannet AEW.3 is available online from Squadron.com

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, while a number of other converted Fw 190s were used as test beds, including the Fw 190V30/U1. The Ta 152 series production began in late 1944 and 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. In April 1945, Japan purchased the blueprints of the Ta 152 and reportedly one aircraft, although this did not lead to any production in Japan.

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

Contents

The kit comes packaged 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 base kit is also available in two alternative 2-in-1 boxings, these being MKM14437 TA-152H-0 "Reich Defender" and MKM14438 Ta 152H-1 "High Altitude Fighter". Of course the review kit is only a single rather than double-kit boxing; and costing about 84% of the 2 in 1 boxings, could be said to offer less value for money. However, if you only want one Ta 152H, the single boxing will save you little, plus you get some unusual markings.

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

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 tiny too), 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.

The overall quality is very good, reminding me of Sweet’s 1/144 aircraft kits; which I think set the benchmark for WW2 fighters in this scale. 

Colours and Markings

The four colour schemes offered with this the kit are:

• Fw Ta 190V30/U1 prototype/development a/c, Black SH+KT/0055 (W.Nr. 0055), Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau GmbH, Adelheide airfield, Germany, August 1944.

• Fw Ta 152H-0, Stab/JG 301, Luftwaffe, Stendal airfield, Germany, April 1945.

• Fw Ta 152H-0 (a/c reportedly bought from Germany for evaluation), Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, Japan, summer 1945.

• Fw Ta 152H-0, Green 4/FE112 (W.Nr. 150020), Wright Field Air Base, U.S.A., late 1945

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

The decals look to be very good and include four swastikas for markets that accept their inclusion.

This is a very simple good quality 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.

Some might be swayed to buy either of the 2 in 1 boxings of the same base kit, as these only cost a little more than the single kit boxing. But if you only need one Ta 152H, or you really want the special schemes markings, then this release is the obviously one to get.

Neatly finished, this latest release from Mark I Models has the potential to produce a little gem of a model that will be very undemanding on display space – Highly recommended.

Thanks to Mark I Ltd for the review sample.

Review Text & Blue Background Images Copyright © 2015 by Mark Davies
Page Created 14 September, 2015
Last updated 14 September, 2015

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