1/24 Airfix FW-190A/F

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

My brother just picked up a kit and asked if I would build it for him. It’s the 1/24 Airfix FW-190A/F kit 16001.

I’ve never built a Airfix kit and was wondering if anyone had built this and how the fit was? I have no idea how old this kit is but the decals have some slight yellowing to them. Looks like it will be a fun build in a scale I haven’t worked in before.

Mike

2

Hi Mike ,

I have this kit also and agree it looks like it should be fun to build. A fellow forum member just sent me these links a few days back.

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal2/1301-1400/Gal1398_Fw-190_Reckstadt/00.shtm

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/jonathan.mock/iac/reviews/fw190.html

I hear the only real trouble is the engine mounts need some modifacation to get things to mount up properly.

I stumbled upon some aftermarket decals but did not bookmark them while in search of some resin wheels for this kit.

Also I have been kicking around the idea of hosting a Group Build / Build Along for this kit latter this fall if there is any interest.

3

If the decals are yellowed you could buy aftermarket. HLJ has some on sale:

http://www.hlj.com/product/HBDST24003V1

(they are dry transfer, I don’t know how thet works)

4

It was first released in 1098, and while not a bad kit, it’s probably the least good, in terms of detail and accuracy, of Airfix’s 1/24 kits. The biggest problem, of the engine cooling fan protruding through the radiator, is most easily addresssed by omitting the rear row of engine cylinders, and, if necessary, adding shims behind the front row until you get the fan in line with the outer edge of the cowling.

As you can see from Jonathan Mock’s article, if you want to retain and display the whole engine, you’re in for some accuracy compromises and some fairly serious surgery.

My memory is also that the main gear legs are too long. This is because Airfix’s researchers took their measurements from the Fw.190A displayed in the Deutches Museum in Munich. Unfortunately, at the time, the aircraft was suspended from the ceiling, so the u/c oleos were extended, but the researchers forgot to take this into account.

If you need swastikas (though the original release did include them on the decal sheet), Xtradecal’s 1/32 swastika sheet includes some of the correct size and style.

Cheers,

Chris.

5

Thanks for all your replies! Looks like this one will take a little work. I think he’s more interested in displaying a large kit than accuracy and it should be fun painting such a large kit for a change.

Mike