KAGERO PUBLISHING [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

Book Review
11
Fw 190s over Europe, part II
miniTOPCOLORS 38: Fw 190s over Europe, Part II
  • move

by: Mecenas [ MECENAS ]

Another issue of the miniTopcolors series is again dedicated to the German topic. This time it is a second volume focused on Focke Wulfs Fw 190 fighting over Western Europe, mostly France and Germany. Selection of the planes is limited only to the "A" version. Its format is close to A4 (205x275 mm) in a horizontal orientation. As it is typical for this series of Kagero publications we are given eight painting schemes reproduced on twenty pages. Each of the presented planes is depicted on two pages and illustrated with profiles of both sides and on other page with a view on upper surfaces. View on the bottom is limited only to presentation of the wings depicting different colours, identification markings and armament.

Selection of the machines illustrated in this issue comprises of the following Würgers:
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-2; W.Nr. 0125228, 'chevron L', pilot: Ofw. Erwin Leibold Stab I./JG 26, St. Omer-Arques, France, July 1942
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-2; W.Nr. 0125299, 'blue 2', pilot: Lt. Leopold Wenger z 10.(Jabo)/JG 2, Caen-Carpiquet, France, mid August 1942,
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-4/U7; W.Nr. 0147092, pilot: Hptm. Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland, commander of II./JG 26, Vitry-en-Artois, France, spring 1943,
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-7; W.Nr. 430170, 'yellow 5', pilot: Lt. Hans Ehlers, commander of 3./JG 1, Dortmund-Brakel, Germany, late December 1943,
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8/R6; probable W.Nr. 171172, 'black 8' z 3./JGr 10, Redlin, Germany, January 1945
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8/R2; 'red 10', pilot: Ofw. Karl Rusack z 5./JG 300, Löbnitz, Germany, January 1945
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8; W.Nr. 737435, 'white 20' z 9./JG 5, Herdla, Norwegia, 8 March 1945,
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-9/R11; W.Nr. 206000, 'white 2' z III./KG(J) 27, Wels, Austria, spring 1945.
All drawings are beautifully detailed. If you don't care too much about every 1/100mm you can even use them as a reference for riviteing. Drawing nicely depicts individual weathering characteristics and look of each plane, gun smoke trails, exhaust fumes, oil leaks, repaintings and patches of protective paint made by ground crew. Planes descriptions and history is described in two languages: Polish and English. Authors not only provide historical details on unit number, version or W.Nr. But also illustrates individual features of each plane like colours used for painting, characteristic features of equipment or technical markings. On the first page of the booklet authors provide their references used for this publication. All of them are written by respected authors (e.g. Crandall, Mombeek) and well known publications (e.g. Luftwaffe im Focus).

In this volume we get two sheets of decals as the number of markings and emblem was too much to accommodate on just one sheet. As usual Kagero provides markings in three most popular scales: 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32, of course printed by Cartograf. Their quality is simply superb. On the attached pictures you can see how well detailed are the unit emblems even in the smallest scale. Except the size they look the same in each scale. Kagero provides just the individual markings on the decals. German national markings and stencils will have to be obtained from original kit decals or some other aftermarket set, which are plenty available on the market.

With the large variety of Focke Wulf Fw 190 kits available on the market, to name just few from Eduard, Tamiya, Hasegawa, Airfix or Zvezda, each and every source of attractive painting options and decals will be warmly welcomed on the market. If these source is provided in a very attractive booklet, superb quality decals and based on a good references there's just one thing you need: time to build all these beautiful models.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Great selection of attractive machines. Attention to the smallest details of artworks and other markings. Very good quality of decals provided by Cartograf.
Lows: None for me.
Verdict: Highly recommended to enthusiasts of German fighters, you won't be disappointed.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:1
  Mfg. ID: ISBN: 978-83-63678-074-1
  Suggested Retail: $17.9; €14.1; £11.28
  PUBLISHED: Sep 15, 2013
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 89.66%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.31%

Our Thanks to Kagero Publishing!
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.

View This Item  |  View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Mecenas

Copyright ©2021 text by Mecenas [ MECENAS ]. 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.



   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
ADVERTISEMENT