Speaking of photo etched metal parts, some other nice items are included that include: Internal flap detail, seat harness, rudder pedals and gun sights. The etched metal looks to have been made by Lion Roar and both Maritime and Armour modellers will probably be familiar with the quality of this manufacturer’s products. Several Maritime and armour Lion Roar etched sets are reviewed elsewhere in Here Now.
Two very neat access / maintenance ladders are included in the package and they look very fine and delicate and will add a lot to your model if you display it on an appropriate base. Other highlights are the treaded tyres and finesse of the MGs – really top class tooling. You also get a pilot figure and he’s very well tooled with separate arms to allow more accurate and realistic positioning of his limbs.
Clear parts…
As you can guess by now, the ‘greenhouse’ is going to take a lot of masking and GWH realise what a chore this would be and have really helpfully included a sheet of masks for the window panes – all numbered and clearly identified on the appropriate instruction guide. The transparencies themselves are as clear as I have seen in any kit – superb.
Decals and painting guide…
Decals first then – very neatly printed and looks to be high quality and have a glossy appearance. Carrier film looks minimal and so I’m hopeful that they’ll work well with the usual Micro Set and Sol decal softening solutions? The red looks a bit orange to me in terms of the colour, but only marginally and will still be usable. Stencils are included.
The all-colour painting guides are really quite different as they feature aircraft that have been weathered giving clues as to how you might apply your own weathering. RLM colours are given and also Hobby Colour paint references. Specific aircraft featured are:
╬ Fw 189A-2 (5D + FH) – 1(H)/31 Russia 1942 RLM 71 Green and RLM 70 Dark Green over RLM 65 Light Blue undersides. RLM 04 Yellow wing tips and fuselage bands
╬ Fw 189A-2 (werk Nr 2317, 5D + CK) – 2(H)/31 Russia 1943 White Winter scheme overall. RLM 04 Yellow wing tips and fuselage bands
Instructions…
I’m not sure why but I expected the instruction sheet to be more complex than it is. On closer examination each stage is carefully explained with exploded diagrams and illustrations that are clear and seem logical. Etched parts are highlighted in a different colour and this is a good idea that other manufacturers could copy as it makes the assembly process clearer.
Conclusion…
I reckon that my comments above say it all really. Apart from that very small potential issue with the red colour on the decal sheet and mould circles on some hard to get at places, it’s hard to fault this kit in any way at all. Obviously you can follow the build in detail when I get started on this one very shortly and that might throw up some issues but not so far. In terms of value for money this package is unbeatable as it includes everything that you’ll need to make a superb replica of the Focke-Wulf Fw 189A-2 – can’t wait to get started!
Highly recommended
Geoff C.