HASEGAWA 1:48 FW190A-8/R-11

Reviewer: Ian Langer  (langhorn@mailcity.com)

This variant of the attractive and often underestimated German WW2 fighter was a rushed attempt for a radar-equipped, single seat night fighter.  The R11 was a further variant of the Fw190A8 airframe. Some of the more distinctive additions and modifications to the basic Fw190A8 version included wing mounted antennae, a port wing landing light, cowling gun suppressors and in most cases a drop tank was added for better range.

The instructions are laid out very well and are quite straightforward to follow.  Eyebrows may raise on a couple of exact positioning points but overall should not be hampered too much.  The only area of concern I immediately spotted was the difference in markings (ie: decal placement) between the instructions and box art.

The kit goes together rather easily as for the most part the fit is excellent.  I built this kit straight out of the box and there really is not much to report on or point out as stumbling blocks.  Perhaps the only areas worth noting are the antenna, undercarriage struts and various detailing bits and pieces.  These are quite fiddly and care is needed when affixing them to the aircraft. 

The information I have suggests that another difference in this A-8/R-11 variant was that there was no gun camera, compared to the basic A-8 which did have a camera.  In my extensive but sometimes inadequate (as it was in this case) reference pile, I found a shaggy b&w A-8 photo which, amongst other things, depicts the gun camera.  By my guesstimates a small fairing on the model appears to be included, so this was taken off using a flat file.

Markings are included for a couple of Night fighter versions and for the main I followed the instructions.  My photographic stockpile of German night fighters indicates that Hasegawa are a little off in accuracy, and the box art is probably a better source to follow. 

As mentioned my reference material on this particular variant is not very good, but from what I can ascertain from photos on the A8 version and what the kit provides, this seems to be a rather good representation of the subject.  The kit was straightforward and was of the usual and now to be expected Hasegawa quality.

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