The FW-190 has almost as large a loyal following as does the Bf-109 amongst Luftwaffe fans. It seems that one is always coming across interesting schemes for this aircraft. This particular sheet cover five of those. These are all fairly early planes so the general coloring is RLM 74/75/76 and if there is any mottling on the sides, it is probably in RLM 74/75.

For kits, you have to be careful as most are for later variants than what is appropriate for this sheet. For the A-2 variant, you can use the Tamiya 190A-3 as they are quite similar. Check references for any minute changes. For the A-4, the Dragon/DML kit is about your only choice in 1/48. This is not the easiest kit to find at this time (Feb 2004). The A-5 variant isn't much easier as again, it is Dragon/DML that comes to mind. Most of the 190s on the market today are the A-8 version and are not appropriate at all for an early version. There may be other 1/48 FW-190s that I've missed, but most builders will want those mentioned.

So, here is what we have on this one:

First up is white 6, a190A-5/U8 from 1./SKG 10. This unit did hit and run night Jabo attacks against the UK for about two months during May and June 1943. This plane is in standard colors with a yellow rudder and the lower part of the airframe overpainted in matte black. It has started to peel off giving the plane a rather ratty appearance.

Next is a very normal 190A-5 of 10.(Jabo)/JG 54. This one has a light mottle on the fuselage side. Black 4 also carries the yellow rudder and lower cowling normal with French based planes. It has the Jabo insignia on the aft fuselage.

From 1./JG 5 comes white 10, a 190A-5 in standard markings with yellow bits under the cowl and on the rudder. It is unusual in having a personal marking on the nose and a large ID number.

Another night attack plane from 2./SKG 10. This A-4/U8 is also coated with matte black distemper over the standard camo. These planes has small aircraft numbers as shown on Red 9. The reason these missions were only tried for a few months is that the pilots were not properly trained for night missions. Often they would get lost and run out of fuel or bomb the wrong target. The Luftwaffe thought it was a mess and not worth continuing so they stopped. What they didn't realize is that they were tying up a lot of the RAF's fighter resources to stop them and continuing this would have stretched the RAF at a time when they couldn't afford it. Once again, the Luftwaffe didn't realize they had a good deal going and stopped in the nick of time (for the Allies)!

Finally, an A-2 version from Stab/JG 26 as flown by Ofw. Bruno Hegenauer (hence the He code on the side!)

All of these schemes come from the Classic Publications 'Jagdwaffe Vol 4/1'.

Review copy courtesy of