Fw 190s over Europe Part II
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Mini Topcolors 38
Authors: Maciej Goralczyk and Janusz Swiatlon
Publisher: Kagero Productions
ISBN: 978-83-62878-71-0
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 18
The Focke Wulf Fw 190 was a durable fighter that saw extensive service throughout Europe during the Second World War, and the evolution of camouflage on the type is interesting to follow. This book provides eight colorful schemes that help with that, taking you from 1942 through to the end of the war.
Starting off in 1942, we begin with a Fw 190A-2, WNr 0125228, Chevron L, flown by Erwin Leibold of Stab I./JG 26 out of St Omer-Arques, France, in July 1942. This is finished in a standard RLM 74/75/76 scheme with yellow identification markings. The second option is also a Fw 190A-2, this one WNr 0125299, Blue 2, flown by Leopold Wenger of 10.(Jabo)/JG 2 out of Caen-Carpiquet, France, in August 1942. Finished similarly to the previous scheme, this one has light mottling on the fuselage sides and covering the yellow rudder.
Next up is a Fw 190A-4/U7, WNr 0147092, flown by Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland of II./JG 26 out of Vitry-en-Artois, France in spring of 1943. The 74/75/76 camouflage features more mottling on the fuselage sides, with yellow ident markings on the lower cowl & rudder. Moving to the end of 1943, we have a Fw 190A-7, WNr 430170, Yellow 5, flown by Hans Ehlers of 3./JG 1 out of Dortmund-Brakel, Germany in December 1943. This plane has a red band around the rear fuselage and yellow undersides to the cowl and wingtips.
Skipping 1944 entirely, the book then jumps to 1945, starting with a Fw 190A-8/R6, Black 8, of 3./JGr 10 in January 1945. This plane features a neat yellow and red snake running the length of the fuselage. Another Fw 190A-8, this time an R2, is next, this being Red 10 flwon by Karl Rusack of 5./JG 300 in January 1945. This plane features extensive mottling not only on the fuselage sides, but also the wing upper surfaces. The last Fw 190A-8 is WNr 737435, White 20, from 9./JG 5 at Herdla, Norway in March 1945. This plane is finished in either 74/75/76 or 75/83/76, with most of the camouflage covered up with white squiggles.
The final option in the book is a Fw 190A-9/R11, WNr 206000, White 2, of III./KG(J) 27 out of Wels, Austria in the spring of 1945. This colorful option is most likely finished in RLM 82/83/76, similar to the Fw 190D-9s that were built at the same factory. This plane features a green and white checkered tail band, giving it a nice bit of color.
The decals are printed by Cartograph and come on two sheets: one with just black and white markings and the other with color. All three scales are covered: 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32. The quality is excellent, and should pose no problems in application. Overall this is a great collection of Fw 190s, and while it might be challenging to get the earlier Fw 190A-2 in some of the scales, it is still worth picking up. My thanks to Casemate Publishing for the review copy.