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In-Box Review
148
Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-8/R8
  • Has_Fw190A-8_Boxtop

by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

In typical Hasegawa fashion, the kit arrives in a very attractive box with all the sprues packed in one bag and the decals, clear parts and accessories sealed in a second. Unpacking the parts, I noticed some slight scuffing where the sprues had rubbed together in transit, but it'll only be a minute or two's work to polish the areas again. The kit comprises:

73 x grey styrene parts (plus 11 unused)
8 x clear parts (plus 1 spare)
2 x etched parts
A set of polycaps
Decals for 2 x colour schemes

Building on Hasegawa's Fw 190 A-5 covered excellently by Jean-Luc Formery (see Review HERE), the kit shares many parts so I won't bore you going over the same ground again in much detail. I've basically finished the follow-up standard 'A-8 and fully concur with his conclusions; rooted in the old Trimaster/Dragon kit, Hasegawa's '190 has been completely re-engineered to the latest standards, and has the edge over its Tamiya rival in terms of accuracy, while also providing a more straightforward build than the Eduard version.

The moulding throughout is very good, with hardly a trace of flash. There's no sign of any sinkage and the designers have kept ejector pins out of harm's way as far as possible. The surface finish consists of finely engraved panel lines with raised fasteners etc. The only odd inconsistency is how the fabric surfaces are handled - plain ribs on the rudder and elevators, and rib tapes on the ailerons. To be honest, both styles are a bit exaggerated and I'll tone them down.

Interior detail is quite simple, but still effective, with a 9-part cockpit that includes a choice of crisply moulded or decal consoles and instruments. There's no seat harness provided, which is a little disappointing, seeing as this edition of the kit includes other etched parts, but aftermarket belts are widely available.

The engine is made up of 7 parts - ample really, considering that most of it is hidden behind the propeller and cooling fan. The undercarriage is well handled, with quite detailed legs and wheel-well and captures the sit of the '190 nicely.

So what's new?
The new Sturmbock parts are rather interesting interesting, because Hasegawa have taken a different approach to both Tamiya and Eduard. Tamiya used self adhesive vinyl to represent the fuselage armour, while Eduard went the whole hog and moulded a new fuselage with the armour in place. Hasegawa have kept their original fuselage, but included both moulded styrene armour and etched metal panels that are pre-gummed and supplied ready to use on a backing sheet. I'll try both, but I expect I'll end up going with the moulded versions to best capture the thickness of the original armour. Test fitting the moulded armour, it conforms to the fuselage contours perfectly.

Turning to the canopy, there are clear side armour panels (best attached with PVA or slivers of double-sided tape) and finally, there's a pair of MK 108 cannon barrels to replace the original MG 151s in the outer wing bays.

Instructions & decals
The assembly diagrams are very clearly illustrated, as you'd expect with a Hasegawa kit, and the sequence is straightforward and logical. Colour matches for Gunze Sangyo paints are provided.

The kit includes decals for a pair of Sturmbocks:

1. "Yellow 12", "Muschi", 6.(Sturm)/JG 300, flown by Uffz. Paul Lixfeldt, November 1944
2. "Blue 13", JG 300, flown by Kommodore Maj. Walther Dahl, June 1944.

The decals look excellent quality. Thin and printed in perfect register with a satin finish. There's a good selection of stencil markings and swastikas are included.

Conclusion
Hasegawa's original 'A-8 is an excellent kit and this limited edition release looks set to build on that with its straightforward construction and novel approach to the fuselage armour. Hasegawa and Eduard share the laurels with their quarter scale '190s, but Hasegawa's is the more suitable of the two for average modellers. Highly recommended.

Hasegawa's Fw 190A-8/R2 was kindly provided for review by HobbyLink Japan. Visit HLJ for Japanese kits at Japanese prices.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs:
Lows:
Verdict: Hasegawa's Fw 190A-8/R8 is very well moulded and detailed, combining accuracy with straightforward construction.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:48
  Mfg. ID: 09841
  Suggested Retail: 3,000 JY
  PUBLISHED: Jan 18, 2009
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.84%

Our Thanks to HobbyLink Japan!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

Hi Steffen Many thanks - I'll make a start on this kit today. All the best Rowan
JAN 17, 2009 - 09:54 PM
...agreed Steffen.... ..usual screw-up on the Dahl decals though....(IV./JG 3 black cowl & emblem..) ..just as they did with their 32nd scale version.. ... "Muschi" looks a neat option .. wonder how many young (or even older) enthusiasts realise that this is a rather vulgar German word.... (well Steffen does obviously...!) there are five views of this actual a/c as flown by Uffz. Paul Lixfeld (note no 't') including a close-up of the armour plate in the Lorant/Goyat JG 300 book (Vol II) ..... BTW the Hasegawa box-top artist has missed the armoured windshield quarter pane...I don't know if this is represented among the clear parts....he's also depicted the upper cowl MGs, whereas on the actual a/c these were faired over..
JAN 20, 2009 - 12:34 AM
Hi Neil as for Muschi I rather think it it is used in a more civilized way here; as "Kosename" (too lazy to look that one up). You could also call a small kitten this way ... and now go and call a Japanese shop and hear it twice just before conversation starts I wonder why they included Dahl .. there are a lot other decorated Sturmbock drivers! I would have liked Hans Weiks "white 7". Dahl was quite an argueable person but is getting quite good press ... I remember a recent heated discussion on HS about the MPM group special edition Fw 190 "Hajo Herrmann", who IMO is not worse than Dahl. (and his book was a better read ) As for the side armour .. I do not think you can make a difference in plastic parts here as those are already Panzerglas in standard Fw 190 model kits .. just make the masks for the triangles a μ smaller and you are done all the best Steffen
JAN 20, 2009 - 01:24 AM
.. and there's me thinking that young fighter pilots were only interested in birds & booze.... not little furry animals....
JAN 20, 2009 - 06:37 AM
Hi Neil I rather think of a nickname for his girlfriend (and not in the vulgarly way, but rather as described above) ... IMO this should be a lucky sign and not an expression of his "needs". .... btw "Muschi" is one of the nicer words, even if a bit objectionable when used in the way you want to see this. cheers Steffen
JAN 20, 2009 - 06:50 AM
Hi Steffen and Neil Entering "Muschi"is pretty irresistible (no funny remarks! ) as my second Fw 190 Campaign build! That heavy weathering is such a great challenge! Thanks for pointing out the faired over cowl guns and heavier windscreen side panes. All the best Rowan
JAN 20, 2009 - 08:55 AM
A good addition for the furry little Butcherbird Campaign.
JAN 20, 2009 - 09:36 AM
you're welcome ..but rather you than me Rowan, I have no idea how that weathering should best be attempted; perhaps a grey finish over alu undercoat before making with the tape (to 'pull' the top coat off in patches)..?. Trouble with that approach is that it will be too 'random' . Ideas..?
JAN 21, 2009 - 06:50 AM
Hi Neil I'll tackle it with some latex masking stippled over a n/m base to get a random effect. It's what I normally do - this time will just be rather heavier than usual! Ideally, it would be a perfect opportunity to paint the national insignia and numerals with masks (I'll have a word with Mal, but I know he's pretty much packed up ready to move house...) - if not I'll use the kit decals and see if I can "damage" them carefully with a scalpel to match the other weathering. All the best Rowan
JAN 21, 2009 - 10:36 PM
   
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