Fw190 Der Würger, Aces High Magazine issue 11 (AK 2921), AK Interactive
The 11th issue of Aces High magazine, published by AK Interactive, is dedicated to the Fw-190A. For this special issue, there are articles of some of the best and well-known modelers and they explain a lot of their personal techniques on this iconic plane, with a careful layout and great photos.
This issue, as Daniel Zamarbide, the chief editor explains, is focused on developing the painting techniques according to each model rather than in the building of the model itself. Interesting articles explain a new method of placing rivets, another explaining the extreme weathering over winter camouflage, using in total five kits in 1/100, 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scales.
The first model is the Tamiya Fw190A-3 in 1/48 scale by Daniel Zamarbide (10 pages) painted in winter camo – weathered white over RLM 70/71/65.
The second model is the Eduard Fw190F-8 (no.70119) in 1/72 scale by Fernando del Pino, painted with an interesting mix of RLM 83/75/81/77/76 – a useful color chart is also provided (10 pages). The scale is not provided in the text or titles but the kit code is included so no doubt this time!
The third model (5 pages) is a small exercise in 1/100 scale Wings of War Fw190F-8 (resin kit) by Juan Villegas. Juan shows us some useful techniques for small scales. Very impressive at such a small dimension indeed!
Next, come some weathering techniques by the same author (14 pages), using two models in 1/72 & 1/48 scale to show us riveting, pre-shading, panel lines & smoke effects with pigments. Step by step and close-up photos help to explain what is in the mind of the author and the beautiful results, realistically transforming the surfaces of the models.
The next model is a Hasegawa Fw190A-5 in 1/32 scale by Ralph Riese (the title states Tamiya 1/48 by error) in green, Russian Front camouflage (12 pages). Ralph's weathering techniques are always very attractive and realistic and if you build in 1/32nd scale, you should not miss his articles. Ralph has the outer wing guns removed but he does not mention this in his text. (Outer wing guns were a Rüstsatz that was factory-applied to new A-5 variants. They could be removed at unit level if ordered by the commander in order to improve roll rate and agility of the fighter).
The final model is based also on a Hasegawa Fw190A-5 in 1/32 scale, this time by Tomas de la Fuente, in RLM 74/75/76 camouflage and the black/white checkered nose of 1./JG1 (14 pages).
All text is mainly placed in the explanatory captions and this makes this issue very easy to enjoy. A must read if you are interested in Fw190A model building. At the recently reduced price of 6,75€ (from 9€ initially), this is certainly a bargain! Highly recommended!
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