History

The Focke Wulf Fw-190 is probably one of the most modeled aircraft in any scale, mainly because it was such an excellent design and was produced in very large numbers during World War II. Although sources vary as to the number produced, slightly fewer that 1,000 of the A-4 type appear to have been manufactured during 1942 to replace the A-3, and subsequently being supplanted by the improved Fw-190A-5. Constantly upgraded during the war, the type held on until the final days, both as a fighter and as a ground support and reconnaissance aircraft. Most serious modelers are familiar with the type and its history, so I’ll refer you to other sources. There is certainly no lack of information on this aircraft, both in publication form and on the internet.

Quickboost now offers aircraft builders a highly detailed 1/48 scale ejection seat that is intended to replace the one found in either the Tamiya or Revell F-84G kit. It is recommended as a replacement for the Tamiya seat, but it also can be used to replace the Revell kit seat with very little adjustment. As nice as the kit parts may be, this replacement provides a higher level of detail along with casually posed shoulder and lap belts molded in place. The details are very delicate and crisply molded.

Review

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is so ugly, it’s beautiful. It is clearly an example of function over form. The A-10 is designed to maximize the pilot protection with a titanium bathtub cockpit and heavily armored cockpit glass. The airframe design has redundant control systems and high mounted engines to provide maximum survivability when damaged, and also to reduce the risk of engine damage. The book starts with the fly-offs between manufacturers and the selection of Fairchild Republic as the design winner. In response to pilots’ feedback for a big gun, the General Electric GAU-8 Avenger 30 mm cannon was selected, with a rate of fire at 3900 rpm.