The Focke-Wulf 190 became the Luftwaffe's workhorse fighter because of its adaptability. The Fw 190F represented by Revell Germany's all-new 1/32 scale kit was a dedicated ground attacker.
Cleanly molded in sky-blue plastic, the kit is brimming with features: a complete BMW engine, two styles of drop tanks, bombs in three sizes, two types of canopies (blown and flat) in open and closed positions, posable landing gear options, and a display stand.
Unused parts hint at possible future kit releases, including the fighter and maybe a Mistel, an interesting combination of an Fw 190 and Ju 88.
Before starting construction, I checked the instructions for any steps that might be challenging; it was obvious that the engine and cowling were complicated and would need particular attention.
The cockpit built quickly and easily, and the whole assembly fits precisely into the fuselage.
Wing dihedral is reliably assured by a one-piece lower wing and two wing spars. One of the spars doubles as the rear wall of the main wheel well. After mating the lower wing and fuselage, I installed the upper wing halves. Everything fit perfectly and I didn't need to fill any gaps, even at the wing roots.
Separate ailerons and flaps can be posed, but photos of Fw 190s rarely show the flaps in a drooped position when the plane is on the ground.
The landing gear can be built up or down, with unique doors, tires, and legs for each option. Pay attention during assembly to get the right parts.
Revell succeeded in replicating the powerful BMW 801D engine in great detail. Fifteen cleverly molded parts assemble easily and the finished item is impressive.
The engine bearer turned out to be the kit's only stumbling block for fit, an issue that became apparent when it came time to install the engine. Either the arms were not the correct length or I misaligned something along the way.
I detached the engine-bearer ring (Part 96) from the mount and attached it to the engine instead. Then I backed the engine into the fuselage, relying on the attachment tabs on the fuselage sides and bearer arms for alignment.
The sight of the eight-piece cowl made me more than a little bit apprehensive. The cowl parts assemble around the engine by slotting into place on the exhaust collector ring. This makes it essential to correctly align the engine parts. I must have gotten something out of whack because I needed to fill a few minor gaps.
The kit includes a comprehensive representation of the ordnance carried by the F-8: 50-, 250-, 500-kilogram bombs. I had planned to display the model with a drop tank on the centerline, but I discovered at the end of the project that the kit supplied the rack designed for bombs. That will teach me to check my references more closely.
I painted the Fw 190 using LifeColor's German WWII Luftwaffe Paint Set 2.
Decals are given for two aircraft, and include an exhaustive selection of maintenance markings and stencils. I applied them without difficulty over a coat of clear gloss and with help from a little decal solution.
My primary reference was Monogram Close-Up 8: Fw 190F (Monogram, ISBN 978-0-914144-08-3). Also, Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Volume Two 1943-1944 (Crecy, ISBN 978-1-906537-30-2) proved useful for its numerous operational photos that showed the best options for build and display.
I completed my Focke-Wulf 190F-8 in 45 hours. I was happy with the result and look forward to building another. Given the price, options, and all the details included, Revell Germany's new kit comes highly recommended.
Note: A version of this review appeared in the October 2015 FineScale Modeler.