Eduard has graciously provided the IPMS Reviewer Corps with their new Limited Edition dual combo kit: Wilde Sau, Episode Three: Until the Fall of the Empire. Featuring the Fw 190A-8 and Fw 190D-9 kits in 1/48th scale.

This is Part 3 of this kit review, and it will focus on the Fw 190D-9 airplane build.

In the Box

For the Fw 190D-9 kit, the second half of the instructions are dedicated to its assembly.

Per Scalemates.com, the Fw 190D-9 kit is an older molding (2010) than the Fw 190A-8 kit (2017). The D-9 wing and fuselage rivet detail is not as prevalent compared to the A-8 kit. So, there are some dissimilarities in parts molding and format. This is not bad but noticeable.

For the D-9 kit, assembly starts in the cockpit, but you will have to cut of the molded detail for the side instrument panels to apply the PE parts. But there are options to use decals to overlay on top of the molded panels or you can paint it by hand.

The D-9 kit does give you the option to detail the nose gun bay and side wing gun bays. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to install the gun bay details with panels OPEN. I took the opposite path of closing the gun bays hoping to finish faster. However, it was more troublesome to get parts to fit since additional sanding, trimming, and lots of check fitting was needed.

Once the cockpit and nose gun bay is finished it can be installed into the fuselage halves.

Next is the wing assembly. The landing gear compartment is well detailed and the sequence to install the internal structure is logical. This is where you will also install the open gun bay details. I did decide to cut off the machine gun barrels just forward of the leading edge since I knew they would not survive the process of sanding away the wing seams. These would be reinstalled at the end of the build.

After that, final assembly of the fuselage, wings, horizontal stabilizers, and rudder was easy. The area that will need more attention is landing gear struts. To get them aligned just right will take several check fits and patience to allow the glue to cure. Fortunately, on page 17 of the instructions, you get a front profile of the plane, so you know how to align the gear for final configuration.

One issue I did have with the D-9 assembly was trying install the belly fuel tank. There is no positive attachment from the centerline pylon to the tank. Because of this, I left it off the final configuration. I suspect to do this installation some good reference pictures along with scratch building will be necessary.

For the markings, I decided to go with Option I, White 12 with the yellow & red fuselage band. The paints I used were Tamiya. Prior to decal application I gave the model a clear gloss coat. The decals are the kind that will allow you to remove the carrier film after letting it dry overnight. I had no issues removing the clear film for this kit.

After this, I airbrushed several thin coats of AK Interactive Ultra Matt Clear added the final small bits and called it good.

Conclusion for Part 3 of this Review

Compared to the Fw 190A-8, the Fw 190D-9 was a little more difficult build. But it is still a very good kit. I suspect my chosen path to close all the gun bays made the assembly process more arduous. Looking back, I wish I had left the panels open to show off the details and probably made for a much easier experience. If given a chance to build another one, I would definitely take this approach.

This may not be a kit for beginners (small parts, PE, & resin) but for more experienced modelers, it will be a good kit to build especially with the added details in PE parts and resin wheels.

Overall, this is a GREAT combo kit. Highly recommended for those who love WWII Luftwaffe subjects and with an inclination towards Fw 190 planes. The dual combo kit delivers two distinct airplanes with lots of colorful decal markings to choose from.

I want to thank Eduard for providing the Wilde Sau dual combo kit and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review.

Highly Recommended!