Focke-Wulf Fw 189 A-2
Great Wall Hobby's 1/48 Fliegende Auge (Flying Eye) is a challenging build. The kit is highly detailed and appears to have accurate dimensions. Yet, instructions lack essential information and subassemblies such as, the cockpit and engines are difficult to install. I added seatbelts, handles and cable brakes to the glazed cockpit.
Spectacular job on this challenging kit, Rafi!
Congratulations!
Thank you Spiros!
Spectacular job is right. This kit defeated me when it first came out. But you pulled it together like a champ
Thank you Tom.
GWH got their act together afterwards. Yet, there are much cheaper models out there that are as good.
That’s certainly a unique looking aircraft. You did a great job building and painting it. Looks very realistic.
Thank you Jay.
Amazing work done on this one, Rafi @blackmopane
A wonderful aircraft by itself and looking even better in this winterscheme.
Well done.
Thank you John.
Great work, Rafi, it’s the glazing that catches my eye.
Thank you George.
Amazing job as usual Rafi. I have this kit in my stash but haven’t been game to tackle it yet.
Thank you Ben.
Wonderful build and finish on what is indeed a rather complicated model to complete.
Thank you Bob.
That is a beautiful rendition, not that I am a Luftwaffe experten fit to judge such things. And once again I learned something from your article: the tailcone spins! I did a little searching on the web and found the attached photo courtesy of handwiki. It made me wonder if the sheet-metal part of the cone was there to help direct the gunner from shooting into his own aircraft, and that led to the idea that it must be automatic rather than manual. Did you get any insight into this during your build? I also found this not so recent restoration article.
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/focke-wulf-fw189-project-unveiled
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Thank you Russel and for the insight.
To the best of my knowledge metal obstructions were used since WWI to prevent gunners from shooting down their own aircraft.
My guess is that tail cone spins are relevant only to sub sonic speeds and above.
Nice build Rafi, @blackmopane of what you correctly state is a difficult kit. Yours looks great in the winter scheme. It looks good with the engine bay open showing off what are decent engines included in the kit. The step ladder and wheel chalks are also nice additions with the kit.
I completed this kit years back, and I remember it being a challenge but generally happy with the results. https://imodeler.com/2020/03/fw-189a2-finished-at-last/
Thank you Walt.
Indeed, impressive results you got.
Lovely. The surface effects are really incredible. A joy to look at this finished model. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Brian!
Absolutely stunning, Rafi. This kit is rather intimidating and that’s why mine has been stashed away since day one but your build ( along with Walt B’s) has inspired me to pull the box out again and at least re-read the goofy instructions. Big thumbs up on this one!
Thank you Eric!
Great build Rafi. I really love the paint work on these one. It's great ot see all these different Luftwaffe aircraft in scale. I have a great book " Aircraft of the third Reich" and it has hundreds of Germanys experimental planes along with production aircraft. It cool to see some of the "less popular" or obscure planes in kit form. Great work my friend.
Thank you Clint.
Modelling Luftwaffe aircraft adds much color to the hobby.
Nice work, Rafi.
Thank you John.
Great job mate, I very much enjoyed building mine. Very nice to look back on it, and seeing another one done. There's not many of us. 🙂
Thank you Paul.
Super build, Raif. I did this one when it first became available, it takes some work to get to the level you achieved.
Thank you Chas.
G’day Rafi (@blackmopane),
This is one of the iconic aircraft of the war and like the P-38, it is instantly recognisable.
I received a built 1/72 Airfix version from a friend when I was a child and painted it for him, but have yet to build one myself. I don’t have this kit, but I have almost won bidding on ebay a couple of times. I’ll find one one day.
It is perhaps disapointing that it is a difficult build, but that doesn’t show in your case.
Liked!
P.S. I’m building its compeditor, the Bv 141, which has its own issues.
Thank you Michael.
I look forward to see your Bv 141 here.
Great looking machine Rafi
Thank you George.
I really like the heavy weathering of this one! Fantastic build.
Thank you Greg!
Wow, what an amazing build! It looks amazing. I love everything about it. The unique plane, the detail, the weathering.. all of it. The open hatches & wheel chocks add to the icing on the cake!
Thank you DJ!