Academy 1/72 Fw 190A-8 'Heinz Bar' w/Kubelwagen Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Doctor Kurt Tank is credited with designing the best propeller fighter to see service in Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe. Each iteration of the Fw 190 would rival, if not exceed, the capabilities of anything in operation in the RAF or USAAF. Powered by an air-cooled BMW radial engine, the Fw 190 was a relatively small aircraft with excellent wing loading and horsepower to make the Fw 190 an excellent fighter.

Unlike the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the Fw 190 had a landng gear with a wide-stance, making it far more stable during takeoff and landing, especially for less experienced pilots. The bubble canopy provided excellent all-round visibility which not only bettered the Bf 109 but all of the Allies' fighters as well. The air-cooled BMW radial was more reliable and easier to maintain than the Daimler Benz liquid-cooled engines of the Messerschmitt.

There were several series developed around the Fw 190 design. The Fw 190A series were primarily fighter aircraft (though many Fw 190As operated in the mud-moving role as well) and this series in particular was subject to a variety of subvariants that offered different mixes of armament, power and configurations.

This is a re-release of Academy's Fw 190A-6/8 kit that has now been bundled with a same-scale Kubelwagen and the markings for two examples flown by Heinz Bar. Molded in light gray injection-molded styrene, the kit is represented on three trees of parts, plus an additional tree in clear styrene for the canopies. An addition full-size tree is also included for the Kublewagen, also molded in light gray.

All of the detailing is crisp and scribed. Some 20 parts are called out to be discarded as these are evidently used in with the earlier Fw 190A-6 mentioned earlier. There are no ejector-pin marks in any visible location on the kit.

The Kublewagen is also nicely detailed, with an option to pose the vehicle with the top up or down. The engine access door is separate, so it is possible to pose the Kubel with the access door open, but you're on your own for an engine.

As mentioned earlier, this kit provides markings for two Fw 190A-8s flown by Heinz Bar:

• Fw 190A-8, Red 13, Kdr II/JG 26, April 1944
• Fw 190A-8, Red 23, Kdr II/JG 26, April 1944

It is nice to see the Academy Fw 190 on the shelf again, and in keeping with the current trend of including vehicles in many of the newer kit releases, a 1/72 Kubelwagen is an excellent choice!

My sincere thanks to MRC for this review sample!