Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V18/U1"Känguruh"
1/48 Scale Complete Kit

R.V. Resin

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Reviewed by Brett Green

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was an excellent low-level attack aircraft, stable gun platform and dogfighter; but its high altitude performance was disappointing. One early attempt to create a special high-altitude version of the Fw 190 was the first "C" series prototype, the Fw 190 V18/U1.

The standard wings and rear fuselage of an Fw 190A-3 were mated with a new in-line DB 603A engine in a newly designed cowl driving a four-bladed propeller assembly.. A large supercharger intake below the fuselage and prominent plumbing around the wing root gave this variant a very distinctive look. Not surprisingly, some recent writers have referred to the V-18 as the "Wulfstang"

R.V. Resin offers a range of sets to convert the Trimaster/Dragon/Italeri Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 to the later Dora variants, plus a full it of the Ta 152C. This time, R.V. takes a step back to the genesis of the C and D series with a full 1/48 scale kit of the Fw 190 V18.

In the box...

R.V. Resin's 1/48 scale Kanguruh is presented in a sturdy little cardboard box. Kit components are packed separately in segmented plastic bags, ensuring that the delicate parts are delivered intact.

The major assemblies are supplied in pale yellow resin. These include the fuselage halves, wings, horizontal tailplanes and cockpit parts. Detail parts are contained on a single photo-etched fret, and the landing gear legs are cast in flash-free white metal.

Detail on the parts is outstanding. Generally, the best compliment one can dish out is "the detail of the resin parts is as good as the Dragon/Tamiya/Hasegawa kit (take your pick) kit". In this case, the surface detail is actually better than either the Dragon or Tamiya family of 1/48 scale Focke-Wulf kits. The wings and fuselage halves have the usual crisply engraved panel lines, but they also feature the most exquisite and fine recessed rivet detail. You have to see this to believe it - it really looks fantastic.

The smaller detail is good too. Cockpit tub and instrument panels are provided in resin, but I confess I was disappointed not to have the option of the photo-etch and acetate sandwich that came with the earlier Dora conversions. Photo-etched details include the harness, radiator face and supercharger intake grille.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The white-metal gear legs look great, and two very clear canopies are supplied in case of a mistake at the first attempt. Decals for the sole V18 prototype are included too.

Parts breakdown is quite conventional - two fuselage halves, separate cowl ring, full span lower wing and separate upper halves. It is also typical of limited-run kits with its lack of locating pins. However, clever engineering means that casting blocks are kept to an absolute minimum (some major parts do not require any cleanup at all), and fit is positive for most of the important assemblies.

Test Fitting

It does not matter how good a limited-run, multi-media kit looks in the box. What really matters is how it fits together.

I decided to test fit the fuselage and wing assemblies. The fuselage halves required no preparation - they are ready to use straight from the box. I taped the halves together before discovering that the resin seems to resist the adhesive of masking tape! I therefore used a rubber band to temporarily mate the resin parts.

The most challenging casting block is at the wing root. This is not a straight line cut, so some planning and care will be required. After removing the casting block, I undercut the wing root area with a hobby knife. The full-span lower wing fitted well when presented to the lower fuselage, and the top wing half just needed some further minor trimming.

By the way, what may appear (in the photograph above) to be a gap at the wing root is actually just the space between the protective fairing on the upper wing and the exhaust reticulation plumbing. The fit of the wing to fuselage is really very good, even without glue or tape.

I was concerned at the amount of work that might be required to install the separate wheel well, but I need not have worried. The well halves sat in a recess in the bottom of the wing, and did not interfere with the fit of the upper wing at all. This was really impressive for a traditional problem area in limited run kits.

Judging by the initial test-fitting, I predict a fairly straightforward construction for this model.

R.V. Resin's 1/48 scale Fw 190 V18/U1 is a beautifully produced kit that looks very different from your average Fw 190A, F, D or G.

Although I will add the usual limited-run disclaimer about being more appropriate for experienced modellers, you won't need too much experience with resin to tackle this attractive model!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Radek from R.V. Resin for the review sample

In North America, R.V. Resins Products are available from David Cooper at DMC Models; or from North American Hobbies website;
or elsewhere in the world, direct from R.V. Resin at their website

Review and Images Copyright © 2003 by Brett Green
Page Created 07 January, 2003
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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