Tamiya 1/72 Focke-Wulf Fw190 A-3 Fighter Scaled Plastic Model Kit

Alongside the Messerschmitt Bf109, the Focke-Wulf Fw190 was a mainstay fighter of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Development began in the Autumn of 1937 under a contract issued by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Air Ministry) for a single-seat fighter to supplement the Bf109. Two proposals were submitted by Kurt Tank, the technical director of the Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau (aircraft factory). The proposal using the BMW 801 air-cooled radial engine was chosen. This tough and powerful engine was placed in a robust airframe and provided superb handling, well balanced control, and brisk acceleration. It entered service in 1941 and it soon took control of air superiority over the English Channel. It outperformed the contemporary Spitfire Mk.V in almost every respect and maintained this advantage until the arrival of the Spitfire IX in July 1942. The A-3 version used the improved BMW 801Dg engine that produced 1,700hp. Armament was increased from four to six guns, consisting of two rapid firing MG151s in the wing roots, two MG FFs outboard of the landing gear, and two fuselage-mounted MG 17 machine guns. Throughout WWII, many Luftwaffe squadrons allowed personal pilot markings and distinctive squadron insignia to be used, plus lower cowl, wing tip and rudder colour additions to the original paint schemes.