Review
The first FW190 from MiniArt in 1/48th scale has hit the shops, at least in the UK. Being the first release, the number of sprues in the box is far less than I expected. There are 10 grey sprues, but 2 of these only provide the prop and part of the engine cover. An 11th sprue provides the obvious clear parts required for this build. This release is offered as the basic version, and so many of you will be pleased to hear that hopefully this will be an easier build prospect than MiniArt sometimes throws our way. The sprue count has an obvious reason for it’s number, and that would be due to MiniArt making it easy for themselves to provide various FW190s in this scale.
The castings have been very well done having a crisp finish and excellent detail. The cockpit of the aircraft meets most of my requirements and even has moulded harness details for the seat which has been moulded in 2 pieces. The only critique that I can throw at it, is that the sidewall detail is minimal to none. Which is a surprise as I know that MiniArt usually digs deep in regards to interior detail. The area behind the engine and in front of the cockpit has a surprising amount of detail present, and I am unsure as to why MiniArt has provided this detail but not the engine. Perhaps that will be released as a separate offering for the modellers that desire it. If I want to be particularly perdantic, the exhausts could have done with being slide moulded in order to offer some open detail to them where the exhaust gases eject from.
The exterior surface detail is very well done, and while I am not in a position to guarantee 100% accuracy I believe most will be very pleased with what they see. The only fear I have is that the surface detail is so well done that the detail could be easily flooded with paint. The face of the engine behind the prop has been well tackled and I do not see any additional details that I would like to see added. Separate engine panels have been provided for both the upper and lower surfaces.
Moving on to the wings and looking at the undercarriages bays a good level of surface detail is present and there are also a number of wing spars that cross this area provided separately. The lower wing is provided as a single moulding, but does still have a spar that crosses under the fuselage and a decent way into the wing roots as well. This spar has been used to provide the detailed rear area of the wheel bays and is also used for mounting MGs. And a longitudinal spar that goes between the wheel bays. Flight control surfaces are provided as separate item and there is a wing surface joint that fits to the front of the wing and against the fuselage of the aircraft. My only concern about this approach is that if it does not fit perfectly you will have a potentially difficult area to fill.
The main undercarriage looks to have a very nice level of detail throughout, with MiniArt having taken some effort to ensure that you can accurately show the undercarriage deployed or retracted. From what I can see, brake lines may need to be added but otherwise I am content. Another of the issues that you will face is that being a model that will grow as regards aircraft types the belly of the fuselage is a separate addition and again is an area that could cause difficulty, depending on how well it fits. The tail wheel is a single piece moulding which I am not overly pleased about, but in MiniArt’s defence they have provided a retracted or deployed tail wheel depending on your choices. The tail and the various flight surfaces that are there have again been provided to allow the modeller to show them as desired. The canopy has 2 separate main glazed parts, which enables you to show the canopy open or closed.
External armaments have been provided in the form of bombs and fuel tanks. I believe these to be new moldings rather than the previous offering that can be found throughout MiniArt’s range as again the surface detail is of an exceptional standard. We are provided with 2 sizes of external fuel tanks and 4 bomb types. I believe the bombs are 250 and 500lbs, but I cannot find detail on-line to confirm what 2 of the bomb types might be, although I believe I an right as regards the weight of these bombs. The closest types I can find that matches the shape are listed as chemical bombs, which I suspect mean incendiary rather than gas. The printing of the decals is also of a very high standard as I can only just feel them on the carrier paper. I also like that areas of the decal sheet are specified for the cockpit, tanks and bombs, bottom, top, left side and right side, plus of course the more generic decals that are required. The decals are also well protected within their own sealed plastic bag.
2 finishing options have been provided by MiniArt:
FW-190D-9 “Yellow 15” WNr.500666 III. Jagdgeschwader 301. Germany, May 1945
Focke-Wulf FW 190D-9 “White 12” WNr.500408 5. Jagdgeschwader 301 “Wilde Sau”. Germany May 1945