Airfix – A02066A – Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8/F-8

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a German WWII Focke-Wulf Fw190 fighter aircraft.

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8 was one of the most advanced variants of the Fw 190 series, introduced in 1944 as a heavily armed and armored fighter designed to counter the growing threat of Allied bombers and their escorts. It retained the powerful BMW 801D-2 radial engine but featured increased armor protection for the pilot and fuel tanks, making it more resilient in combat. The aircraft was equipped with a formidable armament, typically including two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns in the fuselage and four 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons in the wings, providing devastating firepower against enemy aircraft and bombers. Some versions were also fitted with the MW 50 methanol-water injection system, allowing for temporary power boosts in dogfights. The Fw 190A-8 was one of the most widely produced models and became a mainstay in the defense of the Reich, particularly in intercepting American heavy bombers.

The Fw 190F-8 was a specialized ground-attack variant based on the A-8 airframe but adapted for close air support and anti-armor roles. To accommodate its new mission, it featured reinforced wing spars and bomb racks for carrying heavier loads, often including a central 500 kg or 1,000 kg bomb and additional ordnance under the wings. In some cases, it was armed with Panzerblitz anti-tank rockets to engage Soviet armored units. To improve survivability during low-level attacks, the F-8 had additional armor plating to protect critical components. While it retained much of the A-8’s agility, the weight of its weapons and armor made it less maneuverable than the standard fighter variant. This version played a crucial role on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, where it was used extensively for ground attack missions against enemy convoys, artillery positions, and fortified defenses. Despite the increasing dominance of Allied air power in the final years of the war, the Fw 190F-8 remained a formidable aircraft until the very end of hostilities.

Update with a new decal sheet of the kit tooled in 2013 (code number A01020). Content remains the same but adding two new markings. Kit consists of 74 plastic parts.

*Be aware on the results below, many old Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8/F-8 appear on second hand and they are not related to this kit, being a very old moulds and lower quality.