Hasegawa 1/20 Strike Witches Gertrud Barkhorn w 1/72 FW-190D-9, previewed by Scott Van Aken

Strike Witches (Japanese: ストライクウィッチーズ Hepburn: Sutoraiku Witchīzu) is a mixed-media project originally created by Fumikane Shimada via a series of magazine illustration columns. The franchise has since been adapted into several light novel, manga, and anime series and various video games. The series revolves around teenage girls who use machines attached to their legs to do aerial combat. The OVA preview episode was released on January 1, 2007. The televised anime series later aired between July and September 2008. A second season aired between July and September 2010. A film adaptation was released on March 17, 2012 and a three part OVA series was released between September 2014 and May 2015. A spin-off anime series, Brave Witches, began airing in Japan from October 2016.

Not surprisingly, since these witches are able to fly with the help of engine pods into which the witches fit their legs, many of them have the names of WWII aces or names that are fairly close. Explaining the series requires more space than I can provide in this preview so I recommend visiting the reference link.

THE KIT

In the Strike Witches series, the characters do not use aircraft to fly. This means that tying one in with a specific character is totally spurious to the series. Nonetheless, it is one that Hasegawa is willing to try as they have the marketing rights from Kodakawa (who developed the anime) and I'm sure we will see others in this series.

Hasegawa's FW-190D-9 is a known quality and a kit that has been around for quite a while. Despite what has to be tens of thousands of pressings, the kit is free from any sort of molding glitches and is still crisply presented.

It is a basic kit with a minimal, four piece cockpit that uses a decal for the instrument panel and side consoles. Frankly, as small as the opening is for the cockpit, any additional upgrade work would be invisible. I would, however, add a seat harness as that can be plainly seen, even under a closed canopy.

During the time this kit was developed, multi-piece props were popular so you have three separate blades, a spinner backing section with shaft, and a separate forward spinner. One inserts this into the forward cowling piece, and then puts in onto the front of the fuselage. I should also point out that the exhaust is molded in place and the upper cowling is a separate piece.

Wing is a full lower section with two upper halves. If you are going to install the drop tank, you'll need to open the holes prior to attaching the wing. The landing gear is well done and you are provided drawings to get the correct angles. The kit comes with either early or late canopies. This boxing uses the early.

The main feature of this kit and what makes it over twice the price of a standard boxing, is the 1/20 tan resin figure. This is seven pieces and will eventually be around 4-5 inches tall No base is provided but one is easy enough to make. Decals are provided for the eyes and collar insignia.

Standard Hasegawa instructions with Gunze paint information and mixing ratios where needed. The aircraft itself is in RLM 81/82/76 with a mid demarcation line on the fuselage and no mottling. Decals are very nicely done and those who want to do a 'real' scheme have aftermarket to choose other options. The sheet also includes a 501st badge and a Strike Witches logo for whatever base you choose to use.

I bought this as I like the series and thought it was a neat boxing. It also helped to fill an order from Hobby Link and is a brand new release. Not sure how many of you will like something like this, so there it is. I'm sure you won't see this kit previewed in many other modeling sites!

KIT #:	52179
PRICE:	3200 yen
DECALS:	One option
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	2018 Limited Edition