Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-11
Conversion

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The Würger Mechanic

Reviewed by Brett Green

Back in 1998 we saw the first example of Robert Stephenson's resin castings. It was a Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-13 conversion, and the only real shortcoming was the lack of the subtle but distinctive cowl bulges on the fuselage of these late Doras.

Three years later, the label has changed but Robert has not otherwise strayed far from the path. Robert's company, "The Würger Mechanic", specialises in accessories and conversions for the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in 1/48 scale.

The Würger Mechanic's Fw 190D-11 conversion comprises 14 parts perfectly cast in resin. 13 of the parts are in a pale yellow, and one part is in a medium grey. The conversion is destined for Tamiya's Fw 190D-9 kit.

This new conversion addresses the key issue left unattended in the earlier products. The main parts are full replacement fuselage halves that incorporate the cowl bulge on each side. The casting of these parts is stunning. I was especially impressed with the wafer-thinness of the rudder's trailing edge. The top cowl part is impressively accurate too. In addition to the lack of cowl guns, the bottom rear lip is flared out to fair over the fuselage bulge. Supplying the fuselage as a total replacement will make building this conversion very simple. 

The majority of the remaining components are a straight replacement for Tamiya's plastic parts too. There is a new compressor intake, one-piece spinner, three VS9 propeller blades, late-style main wheels, 30mm gun access hatch and shell ejector chute for the lower wing, and top wing breech covers.

Instructions are supplied on a single sheet of letter-sized paper using a combination of diagrams and text.

Construction will be very straightforward but care should be taken in two areas.

Firstly, the casting "lines" on the inside of the tail surfaces will need to be totally removed to permit perfect alignment of the fuselage halves. This will be slightly tricky as they run all the way to the razor-thin edge of the rudder halves. I used a small pair of side cutters to remove the bulk of the waste, and cleaned the remainder up with a new hobby blade.

The only other tricky area will be the replacement of the lower wing gun breech covers and ejector chutes. I was pleased to see that the parts do not follow panel lines. That will make filling and sanding easier, with a minimum of rescribing. I'd recommend that the outline of each breech cover replacement is drawn on the Tamiya lower wing, then a slightly smaller hole is cut out. Test fit and remove more material as required.

This is the most comprehensive and accurate conversion for a late Dora that I have seen to date. It will certainly render a more accurate D-11 than the unmodified Revell/Dragon kit. Furthermore, the conversion parts correct most of the inaccuracies of the Tamiya Dora kit including the poor upper cowl, props and small main wheels.

Highly Recommended for any Würger connoisseur wanting to build an accurate Fw 190D-11.

This conversion is available direct from The Würger Mechanic. Payment can be made by personal check, money order, cashiers check in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank made out to;

The Würger Mechanic 
403 Overlook Dr. 
Warner Robins, GA 31088 
USA