The ultimate extension of the Luftwaffe's Fw 190 was a high-altitude fighter that differed drastically enough to warrant the new designation Ta 152. (The Ta was a tip of the cap to its head designer, Kurt Tank.) Fewer than 50 were built, and fewer made it to frontline service.
Pacific Coast Models' Ta 152H-1 is the first 1/32 plastic kit of this popular World War II aircraft. The kit is well molded in neutral gray plastic without the glossy surface of previous Pacific Coast kits. The plastic is supplemented by excellent resin parts for the cockpit and wheel wells. A colored photoetched-metal fret is provided for the seat belts. Build options are limited to a second set of main wheels.
I spent a fair amount of time dry-fitting most of the parts to determine a good assembly strategy and avoid surprises during final assembly. I highly recommend a similar approach for short-run kits like this.
The cockpit surprisingly comprises just three resin pieces and a few photoetched-metal parts! The casting was perfect.
I deviated from the instruction by assembling the fuselage halves before installing the cockpit, which I brought fully assembled through the open bottom. This allowed me to properly align the cockpit tub between the fuselage halves.
The five-part wing assembly is a challenge. The lower wings have two outer panels which fit imperfectly and merely abut the center lower wing panel (Part C1). To help attach the outer wing parts, I made wing spars from .080" styrene strips.
The wing-to-fuselage fit also is problematic. The resin wheel wells and engine plug don't allow much flex in the wing when mating to the fuselage. Also, depending on how the top and lower center wing parts have been aligned, there is a potential gap at the wing roots.
The shape of the wheel-well covers appears simplified, lacking the pressed shape seen in photos. Also, there is no retracting mechanism. The tail wheel parts (D4/5) had large molding pips on their inner surfaces; these need to be removed to assemble the parts.
The windscreen and canopy are cleanly molded and very clear. The canopy replicates the round desiccant tablets within the canopy panes.
I painted my Ta 152 with Hobby Color's late-war Luftwaffe colors. The color guide is very nice but should be considered speculative; the jury is still out on what combination of RLM 81/82/83 was used! I chose RLM 82 instead of the RLM 83 noted in the guide.
The decals cover four aircraft. An addendum sheet provides the proper shade for the green aircraft numbers. The decals applied easily with a bit of decal solution.
My main reference was Dietmar Harmann's book,
Focke-Wulf Ta 152 - The Story of the Luftwaffe's Late-War, High-Altitude Fighter (Schiffer). The completed model captures the look of the aircraft, though I did question the accuracy of several features. Some of the most prominent issues: cowling flap shape; prop blade shape; incorrect gear-retraction struts; missing or inaccurate cockpit details; and wheel-well engine detail representing a Daimler-Benz, not the Jumo used on the Ta 152. Many of these issues may relate to an assumption that there was more commonality with the Fw 190D then was really the case.
I completed my Ta 152H-1 in 25 hours, less than usual for me. With a little experience and some planning, even beginners can produce a reasonable replica with this kit.
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