Many aviation history buffs and WWI model aircraft builders know it is not unusual for Albatros Productions to come up with something relatively unknown for a 2-4 page article in their quarterly Windsock Worldwide magazine. But, occasionally Ray Rimell and his team collect enough information to justify an entire publication on the subject, and that publication is known as a Windsock Datafile. That appears to have happened in the case of the latest one. In Datafile 160, Author Colin A. Owers has amassed and delivered a wealth of information in words and pictures (70 in total) in his study of the frontline fighter that never was: the Nieuport Nighthawk. The interesting presentation includes the story of the various often-forgotten types that were generated from that aircraft –the Nighthawk Racers, Nightjar, and Sparrowhawk.

History

Development of the Type 10 began in 1996. Production of four experimental models began in 2002, and one of these was introduced to the media in 2008. In 2010, two prototypes gave the first demonstration to the public at the JGSDF Fuji School’s 56th anniversary. Although smaller and lighter than the Type 90 that it replaced, the Type 10 is equivalent or better than the older Type 90. Armed with a new 44 cal. 120mm smoothbore main gun that features a lightweight, high pressure barrel that gives it penetration on par with the Leopard 2’s armor-piercing rounds, it can be replaced with a larger 55 cal. 120mm barrel for even better firepower. Because it uses an autoloader, the tank only needs a three-person crew (commander, driver, and gunner).

The Ta-152 was the last upgrade to the Fw-190 series designed by Kurt Tank. The H versions were designed for high altitude interceptors while the C versions were designed for lower altitude jobs. None were produced or employed operationally in sufficient numbers, so this is a Luftwaffe ‘46 project. Hobby Boss continues their Fw-190/Ta-152 releases with this C-11 version.

This kit consists of seven gray sprues, a clear sprue, a small PE fret, and decals for one plane, Yellow 11. The sprues are excellent – no flash, great panel lines, and the clear parts are very thin and clear.

Construction is straightforward and starts with the cockpit. The PE fret replaces the rudder pedals, and there is also the needed seatbelts already included. Decals are included for the instrument panel and the side panels. The cockpit looks great all painted and weathered.