I picked up Dragon's 1/48 Fw 190A-7 (with "slipper" tanks) as soon as it was released. I just got Eduard's PE for the 190G, which can be used on this kit. After a very enjoyable weekend or so, I have a finished cockpit. The only thing I added was the cable that runs from the control column to the "hump" in front of the stick.
There are shapes molded to the floor for the rudder pedals. These needed to be removed, and the only way I could do it was by cutting away the forward wall of the cockpit. Once the 'pit is in the fuselage, you'll never know the difference.






I've built about a dozen of these kits (A-4, A-5, A-8, F-8) from the DML/Dragon molds, so I know where all the skeletons lie. I just got Hasegawa's new Fw 190A-3, and it looks good for the most part. I was REALLY disappointed to notice that there is now a single-piece tailwheel. I'll wait 'till Eduard releases a PE set to start that one.

Now, on to the flaps !

Looks good so far Bill.
Can the Fw 190A-7 be built without the slipper tanks on. So what are all these skeletons, are they major or minor, as i am looking to buy this kit for a future project?
Andy (++)

Hi Bill

That's looking great - as usual!

The site-move has thrown my reviews schedule, but I hope to have this and the Hasegawa A-3 published within the next few days. I don't know about the tailwheel - but I had a few other disappointments in the new Hasegawa kit... to learn more - wait for the review. :-)

All the best

Rowan

Thank you Andy and Rowan !

Andy - yes, it can be built without the tanks as an A-7 or A-8. Some modelers have troubles with the wingroots, cowling, and landing gear. If you build it by the instructions (what are those?), you'll need filler. The way I build it, you don't need much, if any.
Tamiya came out with their "Fw 190s" which are EZ to build, but have MANY shape and detail shortcomings. The pic below is a Dragon Fw 190A-8 above an old (with yellowed kit decals) Tamiya F-8. The Tamiya kit looks very odd.


Rowan - the tailwheel was the first thing I noticed. When DML replaced Trimaster's white metal single-piece with a multi-part plastic one,they improved the look a lot. I was saddened to see Hasegawa doing the simplified one. I'll have to bore it out, as I did on my Trimaster 190D-9. The inserts don't bother me on the new kit. It just needs a little more work. At least it won't look as bad as the Tamiya A-3 !

Thanks again !

I've built Dragon's A-4 Focke-wulf and had to use a little putty at the wing roots. Many people seem to hate that multi-part cowling, but it went surprisingly smoothly for me. It didn't need any filler. I glued the upper and lower parts to the front ring first and when they were dry, I attached the separate side bulges.

Btw, does the new kit still have the PE parts made of steel? That was the only part of the I didn't like that much.