Hasegawa 1/32nd Fw190A-8r2 “Sturmjager”

Sturmjager flown by Hpt. Wilhelm Moritz, Kommandeur of IV(Sturm)./JG-3 while the unit was based at Memmingen in the summer of '44 and dedicated to the interception of allied daytime bombing raids. An order from Hermann Goering himself forbid the unit from tangling with escort fighters, which meant that they were supposed to rely on escorts from their lighter counterparts in the wing to protect them. Certainly, that idea looked better on RLM's paper in Berlin than it did from 25,000 feet over the Reich.

This 1/32nd Hasegawa kit features the Black Dog conversion set, which provides the armored windscreen and canopy armor, cockpit side armor, cowl gun trough fairings, and gun chutes for the shell ejection ports. Pilot harness from RB Productions. Wheels, propeller & spinner, fuselage gun bay cover, and decals are from Eagle Editions. Flight control surfaces were cut with a Tiger Saw, repositioned, and the stick and rudder pedals adjusted accordingly. Gun barrels and exhausts drilled out; brake lines and wheels down indicators added from .012 brass wire. Paints are Floquil Military Flats, except the Black from their Railroad Colors line.

As with so many aircraft, this one's markings and features evolved over time, so I opted for Eduard's interpretation since photos of it either show the aircraft prior to receiving the black cowl markings or long afterward when it had been fitted with a new, counter-weighted propeller and the badges had worn off. So, without a photo I must consider this scheme speculative in nature. A truly enjoyable build.

Best regards and happy modeling,

Erik

9 additional images. Click to enlarge.