The Focke-Wulf
Fw 190D and Ta 152:
A Complete Guide to the Luftwaffe's Last Piston-Egine Fighters Fighter

by Richard Franks

Valiant Wings Publishing
Airframe & Miniature No.3

Reviewed by Brett Green

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If the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A was a bit of an ugly duckling, then the Fw 190D was more like a swan. A totally redesigned nose combined with an extended rear fuselage transformed the stocky Butcher Bird into the sleek embodiment of an airborne hunter.

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190D was not built in huge quantities nor did it affect the outcome of the war, but it was a highly competent fighter that was more than a match for its Allied contemporaries in the hands of an experienced pilot. Even though the Dora was in service for less than eight months, its good looks and wide range of colour schemes makes it a perennially popular modelling subject.

The Ta 152 was the ultimate expression of Dr Kurt Tank's successful Focke-Wulf Fw 190 series of fighter aircraft.

The Ta 152 C was designed as a low-altitude day fighter. It was big, sleek and more powerful than its predecessors. It was nearly 7' longer than the BMW powered Wurger; generating 2,100 horsepower compared to the 1,600 hp of the early "A" series. This resulted in an impressive top speed of 454 mph. The Ta 152 C would have undoubtedly proved a handful for contemporary Mustangs and Spitfires had it reached full production status.

The Ta 152 H was the ultimate high-altitude variant with slender extended wings and a pressurised cockpit.

The unique attributes that identify the Dora and Ta 152 variants are covered in detail in Valiant Wings Publishing's third Airframe pubication, "The Focke-Wulf Fw 190D and Ta 152: A Complete Guide to the Luftwaffe's Last Piston-Egine Fighters Fighter".

Once again, the author is well-known aircraft authority, magazine Editor and modeller Richard A. Franks. He includes more than 60 pages of technical information with text and profile images of the Fw 190 D and Ta 152 variants, 20 pages of walkaround photos, a comprehensive model section with a selection of 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale builds by Steve A Evans and Libor Jekl, perspective view illustrations showing the development of the types, colour profiles by Richard J. Caruana, and much more.

Specifically, the book is broken down into Airframe and Miniature sections; and in the following Chapters:

AIRFRAME CHAPTERS:

1. Evolution – Fw 190 D
2. The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D Series
3. The Ta 152 C Series
4. The Ta 152 H Series
5. Projects and Drawing Board Designs
6. Colour Profiles

MINIATURE CHAPTERS:

1. Fw 190 D and Ta 152 Kits
2. Building a Selection
3. Building a Collection
4. In Detail: The Fw 190 D and Ta 152

Appendices:

I. Fw 190 D and Ta 152 Kit List

II. Fw 190 D and Ta 152 Accessory ist

III. Fw 190 D and Ta 152 Decal List

IV. Bibliography

Glossary

The book is logically organised and easy to read.

Unlike some other publications, this has been designed and written by modellers for modellers. This means that there is only basic information on the operations of the aircraft, but there is a rich, one-stop shop of modeling-centric information between the soft glossy covers.

If you are a fan of the long nose Dora or the big-tailed Ta 152, this book is for you.

With ample reference in the form of wartime and walkaround photos; detailed lists of kits and accessories; and inspiration from the model builds and colour profiles, this latest Airframe and Miniature title from Valiant Wings is another winner.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Valiant Wings Publishing for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2011 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 18 May, 2012
Last updated 18 May, 2012

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