Focke Wulf Ta152H

NEW AND IN VIEW
ROVEX TRI-ANG LIMITED (FROG). Focke Wulf Tank 152H. 1/72 scale. Black (packet) series.

This model of one of the most advanced piston engined aircraft to enter service during the latter days of World War II the Та 152Н from FROG is up to the standards now associated with their more recent releases.

Moulded in medium grey plastic the surface detail is extremely fine and assembly is quite straightforward with no need for filling or filing to obtain a flush fit of the numerous parts. The pilot's seat and armoured headrest are moulded as separate items and the insides of the inboard undercarriage doors are also scribed with detailing.

The shape of the Та. 152 is somewhat controversial as many drawings purporting to represent the type are in fact in error, particularly in regard to the rear fuselage, fin and rudder. Fortunately FROG obtained highly accurate data and drawings from original sources and comparison of the completed model with photographs show little fault. The cowling is perhaps over simplified and the keen modeller may wish to add "gills" from plasticard together with additional scoop intakes to the upper fuselage decking forward of the cockpit. Nonetheless, we feel that it is far easier and more realistic to have surface detail as produced on the FROG kit than, say, some of the grossly over rivetted lining, etc., seen on products from other companies.

Decals are included for two alternative machines: one from 2 Staffel/I Gruppe JG.301 flying on Defence of the Reich operations and the other for 1 Staffel/I Gruppe JG.3. Markings include the correct size and style of national insignia including the swastika for the fin, together with Staffel and Gruppe markings.

The packet artwork is not up to the usual FROG standard but the Profile artwork on the back includes the correct camouflage patterns applicable to the two machines shown together with full camouflage and painting details.

A very good kit of an interesting fighter that will prove to be very popular with Luftwaffe enthusiasts.

The IPMS magazine, NOVEMBER 1970 Vol. 7 No. 11

NEW TO YOU?
Bob Jones surveys new releases
New from Frog

One of the most advanced piston-engined fighters of the Second World War was the Kurt Tank designed FOCKE WULF ТА 152 - unfortunately, it entered production too late to have appeared in any large numbers but on occasions when allied fighter pilots met the Та 152 they were hard put to match the performance of this machine, despite the comparative rarity of the type we were delighted to receive a review sample from Messrs ROVEX TRI-ANG LIMITED of their new kit, to 1/72 scale, of the Та 152Н, thus providing the Luftwaffe enthusiast with another 'rare type' for his collection. Moulded in medium grey plastic the surface detailing is extremely fine and we welcome this type of raised surface detail which is far superior to the earlier heavy rivet and panel line detail.

The assembly is quite simple and fit of parts is excellent, extra detailing includes pilot's seat and armoured headrest complete with the armoured seat-support which is so noticeable on these aircraft. The cockpit canopy must rate as one of their best ever, being a superb fit and correctly 'bulged' as on the original aircraft, the clarity is slightly distorted along the top of the canopy due to the thickness of the clear plastic but this is unavoidable and does not. in fact, detract from the appearance of the model unless light catches the cockpit from odd angles.

The outline of the model is basically accurate although the wing taper along the trailing edges is slightly too excessive and the cowling detail is rather oversimplified as is the exhaust stub layout.

The decals are for machines of 2 Staffel/I Gruppe/JG.300 flying in defence of the Reich operations and the alternative markings are for a machine of 1 Staffel/I Gruppe/JG.3 the national insignia and unit identification markings are included as are the correct Werke Number where applicable, the decals are flat matt finish and adhere well, lying smoothly over the various panel line details.

The packet artwork is NOT up to the usual ROVEX standard but the Profile type artwork offered as a painting guide on the reverse side of the packet is as usual excellent. We will be featuring an article in an early issue on correcting one or two basic inaccuracies of this kit together with photographs of our completed model plus details as to how to add extra refinements to the kit parts, with the lengthy slim wings and the slim fuselage this is a most attractive looking aeroplane and the kit will undoubtedly prove to be very popular indeed.

Another release from ROVEX TRI-ANG LIMITED will delight Fleet Air Arm enthusiasts as this is a boxed kit for the WESTLAND WYVERN strike-fighter, one of the Navy's post-war carrier borne types which saw combat during the six days Suez 'war'.

Again moulded in medium grey plastic this kit must be one of the finest yet produced by this company, very full co-operation and assistance was provided by Westland Aircraft (as was) and the design of the kit is itself a fine example of careful planning which results in a kit that really does provide the modeller with a magnificent basis for a 'straight from the box' or 'extra detailed' replica of the original machine. Assembly follows the usual practice and is simplified without detracting from any detailing applicable to the type. Of particular note is the finely detailed undercarriage oleo legs and wheel/hubs and surface detailing includes the huge underwing flaps and flying surfaces.

The cockpit interior consists of a complete seat pan which has instrument consoles (with the faces of the instruments engraved therein) plus a fine replica of the pilot's seat and armour plate and head rest, a pilot figure is also included albeit not a very satisfactory one and a separate control column is also supplied.

Underwing stores includes two tier rocket armament and optional parts are the fitting enabling the modeller to have the tail wheel/ undercarriage of the machine either in the retracted or extended positions.

The cockpit canopy is truly superb and we would add that careful attention should be paid to the Profile style artwork painting guide on the rear of the box to ensure that one paints the canopy framework correctly. The Wyvern canopy was made up of separate sections which were simply joined together without any metal framework, thus it is very easy to inadvertently paint the simulated join lines thinking that these are metal frames. The decals are excellent, being for a Suez strike aircraft 830 Squadron, HMS Eagle, 1956 and alternative markings are given for a machine of 287 Squadron, HMS Eagle 1955. The decal sheet includes national markings, squadron badge and crests plus the usual serials and codes.

The finish of the Wyvern was gloss Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces with Sky undersides, fin and rudder and fuselage sides-note that the colour of the spinner and finlets on the machines of 830 Squadron was Plum Red and not red or maroon as they appear on the box art, on the 827 Squadron machine just the spinner is standard gloss Red colour.

The cockpit interior was Night finish, matt Black and the undercarriage oleo legs etc. were polished metal, the interior of the wheel wells was also natural metal although on some machines this was Sky colour.

As in the case of the Та 152 reviewed earlier we will be featuring a detailed article on modelling the Wyvern in an early issue BUT if you cannot wait for this then one can build the kit 'straight from the box' and have a delightfully accurate and most striking looking model. It is particularly welcome to see the kit manufacturers releasing kits of the machines of the 'fifties, as many interesting types spring to mind which would have been contemporary to the Wyvern.

Old favourites in new markings

OVER THE past twelve months or so kits released by ROVEX TRI-ANG LIMITED have been notable for the very fine quality transfers that they contained and it is not surprising that the company recently reissued three of their older kits with new decals and box art.

These are for the FAIREY BARRACUDA, WESTLAND WESSEX and FAIREY GANNET - each kit is in its own right of a very good quality and the BARRACUDA has always proved to be a popular choice for the modeller - the original mouldings have remained unchanged but the boxes now have completely new artwork and the decals in each kit are far more comprehensive and truly representative than were those of the original offerings. The markings in the BARRACUDA kit are now for one machine of 829 Squadron H.M.S. Victorious as operated during the raids on the German battleship TIRPITZ 1944, while alternative markings are given for a machine of the BRITISH PACIFIC FLEET 1944/5 from 812 Squadron, of particular note is the provision on the decals sheet for the lanyard which was attached at the lower rear fuselage, which, when pulled by the gunner or observer, lifted the dinghy stowage hatch into the airstream, thus ensuring that the dinghy did not become trapped in a crashed and sinking aircraft.

The WESSEX Mk. 31 is in markings and camouflage of a machine from 817 Squadron Royal Australian Navy aboard H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE or alternatively from 845 Squadron Fleet Air Arm aboard H.M.S. Albion in Commando forces decor. Bearing in mind the original quality and accuracy of these kits we feel sure that all will enjoy a new lease of life in their new finishes.

Trio of re-releases from Frog are the Barracuda,Wessex and the Gannet, each at 4/9d. and now with a change of markings. These Naval aircraft have a wide range of possible decor and we shall publish photographs of other variations next month.

Scale Models No.17 1971 FEBRUARY Vo2. No.2

MODEL ENTHUSIAST
A little matter of survival
Tank's high flier

Frog has now re-issued its rather nice 1/72nd scale kit of the Focke-Wulf Ta 152H high-altitude fighter development of Prof Kurt Tank's superlative Fw 190. We have been unable to detect any differences in the mouldings or decal sheet than when this kit was first issued, but it is differently boxed and has now been elevated from Frog's Black Series to the higher-priced Blue Series. The colour painting guide on the bottom of the box is certainly an improvement over earlier efforts, and a new-style symbol-type instruction sheet is featured. The only really new item is a display stand which may be wall-mounted and allows for displaying the model in a variety of attitudes — all very ingenious but unlikely to be of much interest to most serious modellers. At the time of closing for press the current retail price of this re-issue was unavailable.
F J HENDERSON

Air Enthusiast 1974-07 vol.07 no.01

Revell

Ex Frog kits reissued. 1/72nd scale. Prices vary.

ALTHOUGH the Russian manufacturer Novo has re-issued many of the Frog kits, it has refused to touch models of anything connected with Germany, Italy or Japan. Happily this state of affairs has improved of late as Revell has released eleven of the old Frog kits under their banner. These include two kits that Frog never generally released to our knowledge, the Nakajima Zero RUFE floatplane and the Heinkel He115C-1 both quite good kits and to form the subject of larger reviews in a forthcoming issue.

The other kits will be more familiar to our readers and they are the Heinkel He162A-2, Focke Wulf Ta152H, Fiat G55, Messerschmitt Me Bf110G-4, Messerschmitt Me410 A-1/U-4, Arado Ar234 "Blitz", Heinkel He111 H-1 and Dornier Do17Z.

No attempt has been made at cleaning up the models as far as we can gather; decals - remain the same and the poor box art is also retained, which could have been improved upon. Gone too, lamentably, is the familiar Frog full colour painting guide but these are well laid out on the detailed instruction leaflets which are indeed an improvement on the originals.

Reviews of most of the reissued kits have already appeared in post issues of SM so we resist the temptation to reiterate. These modellers to whom the kits will be new may care to look up the following references. We reviewed the Ta152 in the February 1971 issue, the Do17Z in the October 1971 issue, the Me110 in the September 1971 issue, the Heinkel He111 in the September 1972 issue and the Do335 in the July 1975 issue. Current prices range from 40p for the He162, Ta152, Rufe and Fiat G55, 80p for the Me110G-4, Me410, and Do335 to £1.15 for the Ar234, He111, He115and Do17Z. Interesting to reflect that the He111 was 81p six years ago, so the enthusiast has little to grumble about.

Someday, someone will sit down and write the history of the Frog kit right from its inception, via Penguins and up to the seventies- and it will make fascinating reading ...
ED

Scale Models Vol. 9 No. 101 February 1978