Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-4
Weekend Edition

Eduard ProfiPACK, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Eduard's 1/48 scale Fw 190 A-4 Weekend Edition 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.

Eduard has released a number of Weekend Edition versions of their excellent Fw 190 A family, and the A-4 variant is the latest to receive this treatment.

Weekend Edition kits are no-frills boxings with plastic parts and decal for either one or two marking options - no photo-etch, and generally no masks. These kits come with a correspondingly low price too.

Eduard's 1/48 scale Fw 190 A-4 Weekend Edition release contains nearly 200 parts in grey plastic and 10 clear plastic parts, plus markings for two nicely varied aircraft plus stencil decals. However, 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!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

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

The wing is supplied without inserts for bulges and panels - just a 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 even with only the plastic parts. Decal dials are provided for the instrument panel..

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.

Instructions are supplied in a 12 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 two varied and interesting aircraft.

Details are as follows:

• Fw 190 A-4 W. Nr. 583, Uffz. Karl Knespel, 1/JG.1, Deelen, the Netherlands, April 1943

• Fw 190 A-4 W. Nr. 5533, Oblt. Wolfgang Leonhardt, 6/JG.1, Woensdrecht, the Netherlands,October 1942

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 another excellent kit of this popular Wurger variant. This Weekend Edition represents great value for money too.

I built the ProfiPACK Fw 190 A-4 in this new family of Eduard Wurgers last year 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 © 2019 by Brett Green
Page Created 14 February, 2019
Last updated 14 February, 2019

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page