Eduard

1/48 Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8/R2

Weekend Edition  Product # 8428  from HobbyLink Japan

Product Article by Dave Johnson on Oct 11 2010

 

Product # 8428 (http://www.hlj.com/product/EDU8428

History –

The Focke Wulf 190 A-8 entered production in February 1944, it was powered by an BMW 801. Changes that were introduced to the A-8 variant included the emergency boost system fitted to the fighters engine. A
similar system with less power had been fitted to some earlier Fw190A, raising power to 1,980 PS (1,953 hp, 1,456 kW) for a short time. From the A-8 on Fw 190s could be fitted with a new paddle-bladed wooden propeller, easily identified by its wide blades with curved tips. A new bubble canopy design, with greatly improved vision sideways and forward had been developed for the F-2 ground attack model, but was often seen fitted at random on A-8s, F-8s and G-8s. The new canopy included a larger piece of head armour. A new internal fuel tank with a capacity of 115 liters (30 US gal) was fitted behind the cockpit, which meant that the radio equipment had to be moved forward to just behind the pilot.  Other changes included an ETC 501 under-fuselage rack which was mounted on a lengthened carrier and moved 200 mm (8 in) further forward to help restore the center of gravity of the aircraft. This fuselage would form the basis for all later variants of the Fw 190 and the Ta 152 series.  The Morane "whip" aerial was fitted as standard under the port wing. The
A-8/R2 replaced the outer wing 20 mm cannon with a 30 mm Mk 108 cannon, was also fitted with heavy Armour including 30 mm canopy and windscreen Armour and 5 mm cockpit Armour. The A-8 was the most numerous of the Fw 190 As, with over 6,550 A-8 airframes produced from March 1944 to May 1945. A-8s were produced by at least eight factories during its lifetime.

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The Kit –

As most modelers know Eduard’s Weekend Editions offers a “No Frills” option of their ProfiPack kits. The weekend editions are normally a round the half the price of the ProfiPack, but does not offer any of the
Photo Etch parts or resin items (if there is any included), canopy masks and only one decal option. The sprue’s are packed in the sturdy boxes that Eduard uses, which also includes the side profiles and painting
guide. The kit is very involved with 174 olivey-green and 11 clear plastic parts that is supplied on 7 sprue’s. Although 45 parts are not used, but these parts could be used if you wished to build another option/scheme. Some of the these extra parts are the two fuselages with and without the extra side armour and the two different propellers are also supplied.

All parts are flash free and there is no signs of sink marks which is great as clean up should be at minimum. Detail of the kit is fantastic, even without all the extra parts that the ProfiPack would normally supply. The cockpit, internal wing bay guns, undercarriage bays and the nose cannons are all excellently reproduced, with crisp details. The BMW engine that is supplied within the kit is superb, and consists of 21 parts. The engine cowls can be modeled open to display the superb detail of the engine.

Also one of the items omitted from the weekend is the colourful instruction booklet, which is now replaced with a 11 page A4 black and white booklet. Paint callouts are in the Mr Color range, but are easier converted to your favourite paint range. Decals are printed on one sheet and are super thin and glossy. There are no misprints and in excellent register. The scheme that is supplied with the kit is for Wihelm Moritz, IV.(Sturm) / JG 3, Memmingen, Germany, July, 1944.

Overall, the kit is well worth the money even thou its not a ProfiPack option with all the extra goodies. The build may not be aimed for the beginner due to the complexity of the kit. Its beautifully produced and would be a superb kit for modellers with some experience under their belt. 

I would like to thank HobbyLink Japan for this review sample.

Dave Johnson

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Photos and text © by Dave Johnson