Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Diorama by Maciek Zywczyk (Various 1/48)

1/48 scale Diorama
Focke-Wulf 190 Workshop

by Maciek Zywczyk

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Workshop Diorama

Tamiya's 1/48 scale Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8/R2 is available online from Squadron

Introduction

I feel that opening panels on models spoils the line of aircraft models. On the other hand it is a challenge to build something different and show something more, than just an competed kit. It is impossible to combine both ways of modeling in one kit, so two of them have to be built. Why not put them in one display? This is how the idea of this diorama was born.

Construction

Aircraft #1

I had a 1/48 scale Revell release of an ex Trimaster Fw 190. Some build articles say it has fit problems, so I decided to modify this kit. I’ve bought detail set from CMK – cockpit, wheel bays, engine etc. Internal structure of fuselage was scratchbuilt.

I had to modify cockpit to build radio bay.

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Some of internal equipment was built from scratch, radio comes from Aires German Radio Set.

Components were painted before joining fuselage halves.

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Wings had to be cut into pieces in order to open flaps, wheel bay, gun bays and detail fuselage floor. I decided to display plane without engine, so CMK’s wheel bay had to be modified. After some research I’ve built wing spar with appropriate structure from scratch. Like in an real aircraft it’s part of an wheel bay and ensures proper dihedral of wing.

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There is a firewall in CMK set, but it doesn’t look good. Gun mountings and some minor detail were cut off, new firewall was build from plastic card, and again details were glued on.

Resin engine from CMK is great, but I’ve modified exhaust pipes to enhance it even more. Excellent Moskit pipes were glued with some easy to form tin wire, joint was sanded smooth and painted.

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Aircraft #2

This should be a plane after maintenance, loading batteries. For this one the 1/48 scale Tamiya kit was used. It has some modifications. First – both kits were modified to an A-8 version. Secondly, because both were to be set on one display, there should be no major differences. So an CMK cockpit, wheel bay, tail wheel with bay and other were used.

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Also best main wheels are in Revell kit, so they were copied for Tamiya kit, second set of Moskit pipes was used.

Other Components

The engine crane was built from scratch, after some research an guessing of dimensions and detail.

Airfield equipment comes from different sources – Verlinden, Revell and ICM. At the time of build there were not many options to find Kubelwagen in 1/48. Detail of it was rather good, but exhaust, engine and some minor details had to be built from scratch. Figures are from many sources, some of them were modified.

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Decals came from Eagle Strike – JG 5 Eismeer. It’s difficult for me to make an image of a whole diorama, but here is a general view of it.

It was rather big project and took some time to finish, I can’t remember exactly how much. But it was certainly worth an effort. It is big and impressive.