Hasegawa 1/72 FW-190A-8 'JG 300", previewed by Scott Van Aken

KIT #:	00928
PRICE:	$26.00 MSRP ($21.25 from GreatModels)
DECALS:	Three Options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	Limited reissue

The FW-190A-8 was pretty much the culmination of the radial engine 190A series. Though the A-9 did enter production, few were completed before the end of the war as engine production was severely hampered by Allied bombing. The A-8 version differed from the earlier variant by replacing the 7.7mm cowling machine guns with 13 mm versions for more punch. It retained the wing mounted cannon. Most pilots preferred the 190 over the older 109 because it was easier to fly, had better ground handling and landing characteristics and carried greater armament without the plane feeling too loaded down and sluggish. In the field, some pilots had the outer wing guns removed to lessen wing loading and improve performance and maneuverability.

The Hasegawa 1/72 FW-190A kit is by no means new. I have at least three dozen different boxings of this and the 190D kit. This boxing is one of the second generation of 190 kits that Hasegawa has molded and is considered by many to be the best available in this scale. I've built several of these kits including the FW-190A-7 from which the parts layout image was pinched (you don't get the resin bits in this boxing) as well as the 190F-9. They have been good builds with almost no hassle.

This issue is pretty much your basic A-8 boxing with fresh decals for two planes from JG 300. I say two as one plane has two different markings options that are slightly different. The molds have held up extremely well and this kit had no sign of flash or sink areas. it does have ejector pin marks on the one side of the wheels, but those are easily handled and of no real consequence. I should also mention that this kit only has the upper cowling for the upgunned A-8 variant and not the A-7 and 'lower' smaller version shown on the parts layout. It also only comes with the older canopy and not the 'bulged' version put on production aircraft starting in January 1945.

You'd also expect this one to have a decal for the instruments and you'd be right. Though the clear, two piece windscreen/canopy can be posed open, the cockpit of the 190 is so tiny that little will be seen. However, there are a number of nice aftermarket cockpits if you are so inclined to spruce things up. Your things under the fuselage is limited to a drop tank. You also need to open up some holes for the tank mount and for the upper wing cannon bulges.

The well done instruction sheet offers 7 nicely illustrated construction steps and I can tell you that the parts fit well and the kit will build quickly. The markings are for two planes. The box art plane has two different variations, the other having more fuselage mottling and JG 300's red fuselage band. The other JG 300 option is yellow 9 with the red band and a black fuel tank. Both are in RLM 74/75/76 as was appropriate for planes of this time of the war. The nicely printed decal sheet is of the newer variety so setting solutions will work well with it. It includes a raft of stencils as well as the specific markings and insignia.

If you have been looking for a 1/72 FW-190A-8, then this would be an excellent kit to have. It makes into a fine model and will look great on your shelves when done.

You can find this and other superb kits and accessories at www.greatmodels.com. Check them out.

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