Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-14
1/48 Scale Conversion

R.V. Resin

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

Reviewed by Brett Green

R.V. Resin offer a range of sets to convert the Trimaster/Dragon/Italeri Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 to the later Dora variants. All of these sets are quite comprehensive yet simple with minimal surgery required to the donor kit.

R.V. Resin's Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 conversion is typical of this range. The conversion is packed in a slightly flimsy box. However, parts are protected from damage by packing in separate compartments of a plastic bag which has then been taped to the bottom of the box. This elaborate packing protected my set during its trip from Chicago to Sydney this July.

Eight parts are supplied in cream coloured resin. The highlight of the set is the full replacement fuselage. This is supplied in two halves, and features gorgeous recessed surface detail and perfect casting. The main distinguishing factor between the D-14 and earlier variants is the crescent-shaped bulge on the port side engine cowl. This accommodated the engine bearer that had to clear the new larger supercharger. The shape is similar to the Ta 152C and the Fw 190D-15, but the supercharger intake is smaller. Curiously, however, the small triangular mast for the antenna wire is missing from the top of the fin.

The remaining resin parts cover the cowl ring and flaps, annular radiator, propeller blades and supercharger intake. These additional parts are also top rate. The propeller blades are impressively straight and thin. The only imperfection on my resin parts was an air bubble that had broken through the bottom lip of the supercharger intake.

A small photoetched fret provides some additional details. These are not strictly required for the conversion, but they will be appreciated by modellers with the later releases of the Fw 190D-9 kit that omitted the photoetched parts included in the initial Trimaster and Dragon kits. The photoetched parts include a three-piece instrument panel with printed acetate instruments, a full harness, trim wheel, rudder pedals, rear cockpit deck and even a replacement instrument coaming! The photoetched fret is produced by Extratech.

Extratech also supply the small generic decal sheet. Four black balkenkreuze, two white balkenkreuze and two plain black hakenkreuze are included.

Instructions are basic. There are a number of exploded view drawings of the cockpit area but absolutely no mention of any of the resin parts! There is, however, a 2.5 view illustration (port side, top plan and half of the underside) of the camouflage and markings. Considering this aircraft never reached production status, this illustration should be considered to be no more than a single suggestion. 

Test-fitting the fuselage halves suggests that construction should not present any major problems.

R.V. Resin's Fw 190D-14 conversion is a beautifully produced set that will deliver a very different look to your Trimaster / Dragon / Italeri 1/48 scale Dora.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Eagle Editions for the review sample

R.V. Resins Products are available online from Eagle Editions

Review and Images Copyright © 2001 by Brett Green
Page Created 05 November, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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