Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5
Weekend Edition

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Eduard's 1/48 scale Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5 is available online from Squadron.com for USD20.66
 

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5 introduced the first major structural change to the Würger since the initial A-1 production version. The engine was moved around 5 inches forward, resulting in a longer cowl and fuselage. In addition, the open side cooling slots were replaced by positionable vents, and the canopy armour was revised. Variants included the A-5/U3 with centreline bomb fitted, the A-5/U8 with 300 litre fuel tanks on the outer wing positions, and the A-5/U12 gunboat with two MG 151 cannon mounted in pods under the wings.

Back in December 2006, Eduard released Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5 as the second in their Würger series. This included photo-etched parts, painting masks and multiple markings options. Now, the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5 also joins Eduard's "Weekend Edition" lineup.

The principal of the Weekend Edition kits is simple - provide a low cost, no frills kit that is designed to be built in a weekend. In the case of the Fw 190 A-5, we still have all the lovely detail of the plastic parts, but the photo-etch and masks are omitted, and a single marking scheme is supplied.. The retail price is a remarkably reasonable USD$22.95.

Eduard's 1/48 scale Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5 Weekend Edition comprises 163 parts in olive coloured plastic; 11 parts in clear; and markings for one aircraft..

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The kit is state of the art in terms of quality of injection moulded parts, detail and markings.

Eduard's packaging is very modeller-friendly. Sprues are packed, singly or in pairs, in resealable bags with each pair of sprues interlocked to prevent scuffing.

The styrene parts are attached to seven sprues via fine connectors. Moulding quality is superb. I could not find a single sink mark or ejector pin anywhere that will be visible on the finished model, even in problematic areas such as the inside of cowlings, undercarriage covers and the gear bay. Small locating pins are moulded to parts as required.

Surface detail is excellent. Panel lines are consistent and finely engraved. Very subtle lines of rivets are also present in logical locations (on the cowl, along panel line etc). Rivets are a matter of personal taste, but the finely rendered detail looks terrific to my eye.

Attention to detail is equally impressive. For example, in every Focke-Wulf Fw 190 kit produced prior to Eduard's, the access hatch for the inboard wing cannon has a big seam line running in line with the wing root. This is usually tricky to eliminate. Eduard's kit addresses this challenge with separate hatches. Not only does this avoid the seam line, but Eduard also provides gun bay interior detail to permit the hatch to be posed open. The cowl gun bay is comprehensively detailed too.

Also for the first time in a Würger, kit, Eduard supplies a well-detailed BMW 801 engine including mounts and firewall detail. A plastic template is supplied to ensure correct alignment of the snaking exhaust pipes.

The main undercarriage offers the choice of treaded or slick tyres (both unweighted).

The later style wheels are also included, but they will not be used for the A-5. Optional tail gear is supplied - either a single piece (wheel and leg moulded together), or a separate wheel and two-piece strut.

The rudder and ailerons are moulded as separate parts, so they may be posed to taste. Elevators are fixed in the neutral position, but it will be an easy matter to cut these off and reposition if desired.

Cowl flaps are moulded shut.

Ordnance options include a 300 litre drop tank, a bomb and two W.Gr.21 mortars (rockets).

The kit is necessarily complex due to the high level of detail, but it is pleasing to see that Eduard has chosen not to further complicate construction with plugs and inserts for different versions. For example, the wings are supplied as pure A-8 wings, with bulges and ejector ports moulded in place. This will make for a cleaner build with less filler and frustration.

Clear parts reinforce Eduard's innovation. On the real Würger, the canopy was somewhat flexible. This flexibility was further enhanced with a short hinge on the top. This was necessary because the canopy rails tapered inwards back along the fuselage, requiring the front bottom corners of the canopy to pinch inward when opening (ie, the width was narrower when the canopy was open). This attribute has been conveniently ignored by all Fw 190 models to date - an open canopy would simply overhang the sides of the canopy deck. Eduard, however, has supplied a closed (wide) and open (narrow) version for each canopy style. Clever stuff.

A "blown" canopy plus armoured glass for the Sturmbock version are supplied too, but these are not used for this version. More goodies for the spares box!

Instructions are supplied in an A-4 size, stapled colour 12 page booklet (not glossy but plain paper, as befits this economy kit version), with a detailed history on the front page followed by a parts list, construction steps and  a marking guide.

Markings are provided for one aircraft on the small black-and-white decal sheet - Emil "Bully" Lang's Fw 190 A-5 in the unique colours of JG 54. Decals are also supplied for the instrument panel and side conoles.

Eduard's Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5 Weekend Edition kit may be a cut-down version of the earleir version, but it is still spectacularly detailed and beautifully presented. If all of this detail is not enough for you, Eduard has released a separate colour photo-etched detail set specifically for this kit to further enhance the cockpit.

At USD$22.95, it is exceptional value for money too.

Keep in mind, though, that this is not a kit that will fall together by itself, so you will be advised to allocate plenty of time and treat it with the respect that it deserves. If you have already assembled a few kits, however, you should not have any trouble, although you might need a long weekend to finish this wonderful Würger!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2008 by Brett Green
Page Created 26 March, 2008
Last updated 26 March, 2008

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