Fw-190A-4 and Upgrades
Second look at Eduard 1/48 Fw-190A-4 and Upgrades
I
n September’s issue we
reviewed a test shot of
Eduard’s F w 190A-4. Although
our sample was not complete,
I was amazed at the quality of
the engraved detail, as well as
the way it has been engineered
to provide the basis for all Fw-
190 radial engine variants.
At E-Day, this kit was launched
to the general public, and at one
point I thought nearly everyone
at the show had an Eduard 190
tucked under their arms.
Now that I have a sample of the
production kit with instructions, I
am really looking forward to getting
it on the bench. But this does mean
I have a decision to make – which of
the five attractive options included
in the box to use on my model?
- Fw-190A-4, W.Nr.746, Obly
S.Schnell, CO of 9. /JG 2, Vannes-
Meucon, France, January 1943. The
scheme I have always associated
with the early 190 with the large
Hawk marking along the side of
the fuselage. This aircraft has
the Hawk’s head on the cowling.
RLM 74/75/76 with yellow under
the cowling and rudder. - Fw-190A-4, Maj. J Trauflott, CO
of JG.54, Green Hearts, Soviet
Union, 1943. This aircraft has
the RLM 74/75/76 camouflage
overpainted in white distemper. - Fw190A-4 Nr.749, Oblt E Rudorffer,
CO of 6. /JG.2, Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia,
December 1942. This aircraft has
the upper surfaces in RLM 79 sand
and a white fuselage tail band. A
yellow lower cowling and rudder
add a splash of colour, while the
swastika is painted over a square
of the original RLM 75 finish. - Fw-190A-4 W.Nr.760, FW. R.
Eisele, 8/jg.2, Brest-Guipavas,
France, 1943. Another classic
RLM 74/75/76 with yellow trim.
This example has a red wolf
on the cowling and seven kill
markings on the yellow rudder. - Fw-190A-4, Oblt W Nowotny, CO
of 1./JG 54, Staraya, Soviet Union,
March 1943.
This option is probably the most
attractive: an unusual camouflage
of green and brown is the base,
with the addition of white patches
and large areas of yellow trim.
To accompany the kit, and also
released at E-Day, were the first
of what I am sure will be a flood
of optional extras. Though 90% of
modellers will be more than happy
with what is in the box, if you really
want to go to town on your 190A-4,
Eduard have everything you need.
ED 48936 FW190A-4 LANDING FLAPS
THIS SET SUPPLIES ETCHED BRASS
REPLACEMENT FLAPS. SOME SURGERY WILL
BE REQUIRED TO THE LOWER WING, SO THIS
SET IS ONLY SUITABLE FOR THE EXPERIENCED
MODELLER.
ED 48936 FW190A-4
THIS IS A GENERAL UPDATE SET. THE
MAIN AREA THAT GETS ATTENTION IS
THE UNDERCARRIAGE BAY, WHICH HAS
DETAILS FOR THE BAY SIDEWALLS AND
REPLACEMENTS FOR THE UNDERCARRIAGE
DOORS
EDFE 863 STEEL
SE AT BELT S
THIS SET SUPPLIES A
PRE-COLOURED SET
OF SEATBELTS IN MALLEABLE STEEL, WHICH
ENABLES YOU TO OBTAIN A MORE REALISTIC
DRAPE THAN BRASS BELTS.
ED 64351 FW190A-4 COCKPIT
THIS SET TOTALLY REPLACES THE PLASTIC
COCKPIT WITH RESIN AND BRASS. ALTHOUGH
THE KIT’S COCKPIT IS GOOD, THIS SET DOES
TAKE THE DETAIL TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.
ED 64352 FW190A-4 ENGINE
THIS SUPPLIES THE COMPLETE ENGINE,
EXHAUSTS, REAR ACCESSORIES SECTION,
AND ENGINE MOUNTINGS. PERFECT IF YOU
WANT TO REMOVE THE COWLING FROM
YOUR MODEL.
ED 64353 FW190A-4 FUSELAGE GUNS
THIS SET SUPPLIES THE GUNS MOUNTED IN
THE UPPER FUSELAGE. A PERFECT SET FOR
THOSE WHO WANT TO ADD DETAIL NOT
SUPPLIED IN THE KIT, BUT DO NOT WANT TO
EXPEND A LOT OF TIME.
ED 64354 FW190A-4 ENGINE &
FUSELAGE GUNS
THIS SET COMBINES THE SET ABOVE
WITH THE REAR PART OF THE ENGINE SET,
ENABLING YOU TO OPEN UP THE FUSELAGE
SIDE PANELS.
ED 64355 FW190A-4 WING ROOT GUN
BAYS
ON THE ORIGINAL FW-190 MODEL, THE GUN
BAYS WERE INCLUDED IN PLASTIC, WHICH
MADE CONSTRUCTION...INTERESTING
(DIFFICULT?) ON THE NEW 190, THIS IS THE
WAY TO GO IF YOU WANT TO OPEN UP THE
WING BAYS. I LIKE THIS SET BECAUSE YOU
CAN USE THE BAYS ON ONE MODEL OR SPLIT
IT BETWEEN TWO KITS.
CONCLUSION
I am sure that this kit will be a
bigger seller than the original,
thanks to the simplicity of the
build. Even the internet trolls
have found little to criticise!
And if you want to go to town,
look no further than the resin
sets. However, if you want to use
them all on one model, it would
be worth waiting for the inevitable
Big Sin set that will include them
all at a discounted price.
WWW.SAMPUBLICATIONS.COM • NOVEMBER 2017 • 57
2nd LOOK!
052-57-FirstLooks-1117.indd 57 16/10/2017 15:32