Hobby Boss 1/48 Fw 190D-10 Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | October 2013 | Manufacturer | Hobby Boss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Fw 190D-10 | Scale | 1/48 |
| Kit Number | 81717 | Primary Media | Styrene, Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Lots of details | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $28.99 |
First Look
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The Fw 190D-10 was a variation of the Fw 190D-9 with the twin 13mm machine guns mounted above the engine replaced with a single 30mm cannon firing through the propeller spinner.
HobbyBoss has released the second Dora in 1/48 scale and retains the easy build but nicely detailed combination. Let's take a closer look. The kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on nine parts trees plus one tree of clear parts and a small fret of photo-etched details.
Among the features and options in this box:
- Decent cockpit
- Positionable canopy
- Rear engine details visible through the open main wheel wells
- Choice of open or closed cowl flaps
- Positionable flaps
- Positionable ailerons
- Positionable rudder
- Optional centerline drop tank
- Optional centerline bomb load
- Optional underwing bomb load
The instruments in the cockpit are rendered as decals but an aftermarket photo-etch set with color-printed details would really dress up the instrument panel as well as provide the missing seat belt/shoulder harness. The one option not provided in this kit are positionable elevators which are okay as-is if you're posing the aircraft with the controls locked (the ailerons would also be neutral).
Markings are provided for one example:
- Fw 190V-30, W.Nr. 0055, GH+KT
The decal sheet provides essential airframe stenciling as well as walkway striping. The color profile identifies GH+KT as Wr.Nr.0045, an Fw 190D-10. While configured as a D-10 with the gun spinner, references identify this aircraft as Wr.Nr.0045, one of the Focke Wulf development airframes, specifically Fw 190V-30 which would later have all of its armament removed and receive the long wing for flight test as a prototype Ta 152H.
This is a nice kit that should be a simple build and has a really nice retail price as well. With the variety of aftermarket decal options on the market, you can certainly have some fun with this gem.
My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!