Such was the success and robustness of the Fw-190 that it was slated to replace the Ju-87 in areas that required a ground attack aircraft and had heavy defenses. The radial engine was much more able to take damage and return its pilot home than the liquid cooled Jumo that powered the Ju-87. The 190 was also able to carry nearly as much of an offensive load and be able to protect itself against enemy fighters if met. The Ju-87 was often an easy kill for Allied airmen.

The F-8 was a derivative of the A-8 fighter and both were built at the same time and carried much of the same equipment. The major difference was the installation of wing bomb racks on the F-8 version as well as some extra armor and the deletion of the outer wing guns.

The Airfix Fw-190F was a new kit in 1977 which is when this boxing was issued. The kit itself is in Airfix's standard light grey plastic with raised panel line detail. It also includes a stand, which is something the newer kits do not have. It seems to me that this kit was released about the same time as the Italeri 1/72 FW-190A/F-8 so they'd be comparable kits. Though the box top doesn't say anything about it, you can build this model as an A-8 should you so wish.

Let's go through the optional bits. There are optional canopies, both the flat and bulged variety. Unfortunately, this area is designed like the current Revell of Germany kit in that the metal part of the canopy is molded in the fuselage so you can not display the canopy open without some surgery. You get optional lower gun panels for the outer wing. The kit can be built wheels up for the stand so retracted gear are offered. For weapons, you have a choice of outer wing twin 20mm gun packs (for the A-8 version) or twin 50 kg bombs. For centerline weapons you can have a single 250 kg bomb or a pallet for four 50kg bombs. No centerline drop tank is offered, which may be a drawback for doing an A-8 unless you have one in your spares box.

Like the Hurricane kit of the same era recently reviewed, the biggest drawback is lack of detail, especially in the cockpit where one has just a backwall/seat combination. There are no other cockpit parts given as the provided pilot is supposed to fill in the empty space. There is some detail in the main gear wells, but this area is generally not boxed in so will need some additional work if you are fastidious about it.

Markings are given for two aircraft, but no information is given for either one. The box art plane is colorful enough, but Research in the prevailing 25 plus years since this kit was released has proven that the red nose ring should actually be yellow. The other markings are for an aircraft from JG 4 with the black/white/black Reich defense band. As you might expect, this particular decal sheet has become rather badly yellowed over the years. Fortunately, there are lots of aftermarket decals available for this kit.

Those looking for a more detailed and up-to-date model should look to Hasegawa, Academy, and perhaps Revell of Germany for a better kit. However, there are a number of modelers who are either seeking a less expensive alternative or who are new to the hobby and just want a simple kit. If this is anything like the Hurricane I kit, then it will fit that bill very well. Stay tuned.

Review kit courtesy of me and my wallet!

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has thousands of visits a day, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.