The FW 190 F-8 was built with close support of ground troops in mind. So it was out with the outer wing cannons and in with extra armour. Lower altitude performance was improved with the fitting of a modified injector on the compressor. The F-8 was also fitted with the improved FuG 16 ZS radio unit, which provided much better communication with ground combat units. Armament of the Fw 190 F-8 was two 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the wing roots and two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns above the engine. Also munitions could be carried on the belly and wings.
The Kit
The kit was previously released by Eduard, it says so on the sprues. Mark 1 Models has not only included two kits in one box, but also added a couple of resin cockpit tubs and four marking options. The parts are contained within the side opening box. No need to open the box up to see the marking options as they are all printed in colour on one side. The cockpit area is faired over so you will need to cut away the plastic to fit the resin cockpit tub. The canopy and windscreen is one piece and very clear.
The recessed panel lines are delicately done. The prop and spinner is one piece, the shape of the blades look pretty good. The twelve blade fan is depicted within the separate front ring of the cowling. The indentation in the fuselage directly behind the exhaust pipes looks an odd shape. Some careful filing or trimming will be necessary to create a more realistic look. The bulge on either side of cowling is not very pronounced. Whilst in this area there is no representation of the three cooling slots although if it bothers you they could be simply scribed in. The fuselage cannon breach cover is a separate part. The height of the fuselage looks a little shallow.
The one piece wing looks very good including recessed panel lines The wing is for the A-8 version so the outer cannon barrels will need to be removed to represent a F-8. The blister for the MG 151/20 look nicely done. The undercarriage bay looks well detailed if a little shallow. The ETC belly rack for the single bomb or fuel tank is separate. Mark 1 have provided a one piece bomb and a two part fuel tank to mount on the ETC rack. The cannon barrels are a little long, but this can be easily rectified. The two rear stabilisers are each one piece.
The main under carriage features one piece oleo and under carriage door and look absolutely fine. The wheels have solid hubs which is spot on. The main gear actuator is not included so you may want to fabricate one. The tail wheel is moulded onto the fuselage's left side.
The decals look very good, well printed, good definition and the colours look strong. The wing walkways as well as the first aid and fuel stencils are included on the decal sheet. The spirals for the spinners are not included. From past experience the quality of the decals should be assured and respond very well to Microsol.
The instructions printed on a folded A4 sheet feature black line drawing illustrating the building process though three stages. All the written instructions are in English. The painting and decal guide feature colour illustrations.
Markings
Mark 1 have come up with a good choice of markings for this release. See images opposite for the colours.
-Fw 190F-8, White T, II./SG 77, Luftwaffe, Lemberg (Lvov) airfield, Ukraine, summer 1944
-Fw 190F-8, White 11, I./SG 4, Luftwaffe, San Damiano-Piacenza airfield, Northern Italy, May 1944
-Fw 190F-8, Yellow 14, II./SG 2, Luftwaffe, Neubiberg Air Base, Germany, May 1945
-Fw 190F-8, Black M, III./JG 3, Luftwaffe, Sweden, May 1945
All the camouflage colours have RLM reference numbers.
Kit fit
The one piece wing really speeds up the build. The fuselage halves go together rather well. Just a touch of filler was needed on the belly along the wing/fuselage join. The resin cockpit tub improves the look of the kit significantly. Do take your time removing the excess plastic in the cockpit. The clear canopy fits very well.
Conclusions
This is a good release from Mark 1 Models. You could have quite a collection of 1/144 FW190's on your flight line. The choice of marking is superior to the original Eduard releases. This release would be a good antidote if your suffering from builders block. It could be easily built in a weekend. It took me a couple of evenings to have this kit ready for painting. Highly recommended.
SUMMARY
Highs: Great to see a FW 190F-8 in this scale. Two kits included. Good fit. Choice of markings.Lows: Nothing annoying.Verdict: This is a welcome release particularly if you missed it first time around from Eduard. The kit assembles really well and the range of markings is excellent. Also the 2 in 1 release means the pain of deciding which markings to go for is reduced.
Our Thanks to MARK I Models! 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.
I'm puzzled by the profile "black M" from "Sweden May 1945". Was it a plane that by mistake or on purpose landed in neutral Sweden in the final days of the war?
Hi Eirik
I have to admit I'm not that knowledgeable went it comes to the Luftwaffe in WWII. I did a little Googling with some interesting results. Yes this aircraft belly landed in Sweden possibly because of battle damage or technical problems. The information reads as if the pilot was seeking asylum. There is some info on it and a photo here . It's listed as an aircraft of SG.3, which I thought was primarily a Stuka wing, but perhaps any Luftwaffe experten can put me right.
Hope this helps.
tim
I won't claim to be an experte, but late in the war the Stuka was replaced by the Fw 190 F series as dedicated attack aircraft, so it's not to too surprising that SGs would be flying the Fw 190 F.
Fw's slowly took over ground attack from Stukas in Schlachtgeschwaders; Some even carried the Rheinmetall-Borsig MK 103 3cm guns to attack armor.
Rudel flew Fw 190F & Gs, and even flew a Fw 190D.
Wow, in that link it is noted that one of the Fw190A-8s who bailed to Sweden May 8. 1945 had no less than 4 (!) people on board. I can envision the pilot sittng on one guys lap, and another crammed into the radio compartment (if you rip out the radio), but the last guy? Was he laying flat inside the fuselage, trying not to get tangled into the controll-wires to the tail?
Probably. Rudel's book talks about a pilot who smuggled his girlfriend in the fuselage while fleeing from what would become East Germany at the end of the war.
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