Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8

Eduard Weekend Edition, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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 Fw 190 A-8 entered production in February 1944, powered either by the standard BMW 801 D-2 or the 801Q (also known as 801TU). The 801Q/TU, with the "T" signifying a Triebwerksanlage unitized powerplant installation, was a standard 801D with improved, thicker armour on the BMW-designed front annular cowling, which still incorporated the BMW-designed oil cooler, upgraded from 6 mm (0.24 in) on earlier models to 10 mm.

Changes introduced in the Fw 190 A-8 also included the C3-injection Erhöhte Notleistung emergency boost system to the fighter variant of the Fw 190 A (a similar system with less power had been fitted to some earlier Jabo variants of the 190 A), raising power to 1,980 PS (1,950 hp; 1,460 kW) for 10 minutes. The 10 minute emergency power may be used up to three times per mission with a 10 minute cooldown in "combat power" between each 10 minute use of emergency power.

Eduard continues to work through the variants of the Wurger family with this latest release, a Weekend Edition Fw 190 A-8.

This variant depicts the standard armament.

Just to confirm, this new series has no parts at all in common with Eduard's earlier 1:48 scale Fw 190 kits. Engineering and fit are greatly superior to the original kits too.

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This 1/48 scale Fw 190 A-8 Weekend Edition contains nearly 200 parts in grey plastic and 10 clear plastic parts. It is important to note that the total grey plastic parts actually used is only 111, and even some of these are options, so you will have plenty of fodder for your spares box!

As is usual for Eduard's stripped down Weekend Edition, there are no photo-etched parts or masks, but there is a generous selection of four varied marking options.

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

The wing is a nice full span lower psrt and two single-piece upper wing halves.

Eduard's Wurgers also boast a high level of detail, even without colour photo-etched parts.

Two versions of the early flat and blown canopies 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.

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 four varied and interesting aircraft:

• Fw 190A-8 - WNr. 170050, Lt. Heinz-Günther Lück, 1./JG 1, Bad Lippspringe, Germany, April 1944. Finished in RLM 74/75/76 greys with a red RV band on the rear fuselage and a red outlined white number 14.

• Fw 190A-8 - WNr. 733700, Uffz. Günther Pape, 3./JGr. 10, Jüteborg, Germany, November 1944 – finished in RLM 74/75/76 greys with a red and yellow snake on each fuselage side.

• Fw 190A-8 - WNr. 732217, Uffz. Heinz Birk, 12./JG 5, Herdla, NorWay, February 1945 – RLM 74/75/76 greys with a blue armoured cowl ring, blue and white spiral spinner and white rudder.

• Fw 190A-8 - WNr. 171189, Maj. Karl Kennel, CO of II./SG 2, Kitzingen, Germany, May 1945 – overspray of RLM 81 Brown Violet and RLM 82 Green over standard factory RLM 74/75/76 grey finish.

The decal sheet is glossy and printed by Eduard.

A set of decal stencils is also included.

The stencil markings are also produced by Eduard.

Eduard's Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8 is a really nice kit, and represents great value for money in this Weekend Edition guise. I have built a couple of this new family of Eduard Wurgers and they were all a delight - 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 © 2022 by Brett Green
Page Created 30 November, 2022
Last updated 30 November, 2022

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