Dragon 1/48 Ta-152C-0
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KIT #: |
5548 |
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PRICE: |
$31.95
SRP |
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DECALS: |
One Option |
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REVIEWER: |
Scott Van Aken |
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NOTES: |
Factory Conversion |
.The
Focke-Wulf Ta 152 was a
World War II Luftwaffe
high-altitude fighter-interceptor. The Ta 152 was a development of the
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 aircraft, but the prefix was changed from "Fw" to "Ta" to
recognize the contributions of Kurt Tank who headed the design team. The number
152 was chosen in the German air ministry's list of numbers allocated to German
aircraft companies, and was not related to the designer's previous projects or
achievements. It was intended to be made in at least three versions — the Ta
152H Höhenjäger,
the Ta 152C designed for slightly lower-altitude operations and ground-attack
using a different engine and smaller wing, and the Ta 152E
fighter-reconnaissance aircraft with the engine of the H model and the wing of
the C model. The first Ta 152H entered service with the
Luftwaffe
in January 1945. Total production - including prototypes and pre-production
aircraft - is estimated at about 220. But only some 43 production aircraft were
delivered until the end of the war. This was too late to allow the Ta 152 to
have a significant impact on the war effort.
The Ta 152 C-0 is the subject of this kit. It was the small wing, pre-production
aircraft of which but one prototype was built. It was powered with a 2,100-hp
(1566 kW) Daimler Benz DB603LA engine. The extra length of this engine required
a compensating rear fuselage plug and enlarged tail surfaces, and wing span was
increased to 36 ft 1 in (11 meters). It is unknown if any other C models were
built or if it actually participated in combat. Certainly not against the
obsolescent Lagg-3 shown on the box art.
Those
who are knowledgeable on the history of Dragon/DML are aware that they did
this aircraft in 1/72. I have not built it, but those who have were
unanimous in that it was not a simple build. Apparently the fit is quite
fussy. This 1/48 version borrows a number of sprues from the Ta-152H kit.
The two sprues that have the wing sections on it are labeled Ta-152C so are
new to this kit. All of the sprues are very nicely molded as we have come to
expect from Dragon. There are no sink areas, no flash and only a few ejector
pin marks, most of them which will disappear from view during building. The
kit also includes two photo etch frets that are not shown. Both marked for
the Ta-152H that include the fuselage under the rear canopy, head armor,
seat harness, Morane antenna and a flash suppressor amongst most parts.
The cockpit is well appointed and like most FW-190 derivatives, will
practically disappear when the fuselage halves are together. The seat,
however, will be quite visible so it is important that the harness be used.
This kit is pretty much a factory conversion. The modeler has to cut off the
Ta-152H nose and substitute the new nose on the 152C sprues. The
instructions show where this is to be done along a panel line behind the
supercharger intake. This will be the most difficult part of the kit. The
rest of the model is pretty straight-forward and also relatively simple as
one would expect from a single engine prop WWII fighter. I'm not sure if one
is supposed to be able to see the engine accessory section through the wheel
well opening, but if so, that ability is not part of this kit. The kit also
provides a new prop and spinner as well as the option to have the radiator
cooling gills open or closed. The canopy can be displayed open if one
wishes.
Instructions
are well drawn and easy to follow. They are not complex as there are not
really all that many parts when compared to some other kits. The box top
claims 110 parts, which is a few more than your usual kit like this. With
apparently only one aircraft like this built, only one markings option is
provided, that for CI+XM in RLM 75/83 over 76 with nearly no mottling on the
fuselage, but some on the fin/rudder. The background for the fuselage
insignia is also in RLM 83 and that will need to be painted. The small decal
sheet is nicely printed by Cartograf and comes without a swastika so you'll
have to dig through your spares bin for one.
It is a bit of a poser as to why this kit wasn't
released many years ago as their 1/72 kit was one of DML's earliest kits.
Regardless, we have it now and I'm sure it will be quite welcome by those
building a FW-190 collection. I know I'm glad to finally have it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta_152
Thanks to
www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours
today at your local shop or on-line retailer.
If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please
contact
me or see other details in the
Note to
Contributors.
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Those
who are knowledgeable on the history of Dragon/DML are aware that they did
this aircraft in 1/72. I have not built it, but those who have were
unanimous in that it was not a simple build. Apparently the fit is quite
fussy. This 1/48 version borrows a number of sprues from the Ta-152H kit.
The two sprues that have the wing sections on it are labeled Ta-152C so are
new to this kit. All of the sprues are very nicely molded as we have come to
expect from Dragon. There are no sink areas, no flash and only a few ejector
pin marks, most of them which will disappear from view during building. The
kit also includes two photo etch frets that are not shown. Both marked for
the Ta-152H that include the fuselage under the rear canopy, head armor,
seat harness, Morane antenna and a flash suppressor amongst most parts.