Focke-Wulf Fw 190

Volume III
By Krzysztof Janowicz
Kagero Publications, ©2005
ISBN 83-89088-56-8
Softbound, 120 Pages
Available from Squadron for $22.46

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

The next volume in Kagero's excellent series on the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 has hit the bookshelves, and this one continues the high quality set by the earlier volumes. This volume continues with the operational history of the Fw 190, this time covering some of the lesser known usages of the type. The text starts out with an interesting anecdote regarding a day's operations of SG 3 Fw 190Fs in ground-attack activity on the Eastern Front. Following this comes a section devoted to general ground-attack operations. This makes up the majority of the text, covering all theaters, including Africa, Italy, and the West, through to the end of the war. In addition to Luftwaffe activities, the text also covers operations by the Hungarians, flying their Fw 190F-8s against Soviet forces.

Following this very detailed and fascinating read on the ground attack mission, the book then turns to night-fighting operations. This interesting utilization of the Fw 190 is not as well covered as some of the other exploits of the type. The text offers a concise history of the Fw 190 in this role. Also included is a section on the Fw 190 in operations over the Atlantic, another interesting side-role that is not often discussed. Rounding out the operational record in this book is a small section on Mistel operations.

Throughout the book there are plenty of photos, several of which are new to me. These do an excellent job of illustrating the widely varied camouflage and marking schemes of ground-attack Fw 190s. These aircraft carried some of the most interesting camouflages, many of which were field-applied. In addition to the photos, there are several color profiles presented, with a handful being options on the included decal sheet. This decal sheet provides markings in 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32. Also included in multiple scales are some nicely detailed scale drawings, with the 1/32 drawings being a separate pull-out.

This is an excellent continuation of an already outstanding series of books on the Fw 190. When this set of books is complete, it will be one of the most comprehensive analyses of the Fw 190. My thanks to Squadron for the review sample.