ICM 1/72 Fw-189C
I was looking for something I could build in parallel with the 1/28 Revell Triplane I was working on, and this model popped up on sale at one of the online hobby stores. Even though I prefer models in a larger scale, this one looked so cool that I couldn't pass it up. At the same time, I also got a set of canopy masks from ICM, although there isn't much to mask.
This was an interesting model to build. It looks like ICM took their kit of the Fw-189A and simply added the sprues needed to build this version of the plane. The kit had all of the parts to build the 189A, as well as the additional sprues for the 189c. The fit of the new parts wasn't great and required some sanding and filling to get everything together. In the end, I like how it came out. Thanks to everyone who followed along on the WIP.
A little history for those of you unfamiliar with this plane. The Fw-189 was conceived as a tactical support aircraft that would succeed the Hs-126. It entered service in 1940. The original version of the plane featured a large gondola sitting on the wing between two booms. As the war went on, the 189 proved vulnerable to ground fire, so the Luftwaffe began looking for a successor that had better armor. Two prototypes of the Fw-189C were developed, which featured a heavily armored pod surrounding a crew of two. Tests showed that the small armored windows on the cockpit severely restricted the pilot's view and ability to make precision bombing runs, and the extra weight of the armor adversely effected the handling of the plane. Eventually, the Hs-129 was selected as the new ground attack aircraft.
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- 1. Original Fw-189
What a fantastic result, George! Definitely a different looking Fw-189, very attractive in its own manner.
Fantastic build thread, too!
This is a thread I missed George (@gblair). Nice result of this build. Definitely unique looking.
When I checked out the headlines ….there its was, ‘boom’, actually ‘double boom’!
Great looking Uhu, George.
You don’t see many 189C’s completed, and yours looks excellently done.
Spiros (@fiveten)
Carl (@clipper)
George (@georgeswork)
Thanks for the kind words. This plane really had a one-of-a-kind look to it. Even with the fit problems, it was fun to build.
Nice work, George. That looks like one uncomfortable plane to fly. I’ll never complain about economy class in a 737 again…….
This has to be one of the most awkward-looking aircraft that has ever flown! It almost looks like a cartoon with that mismatched cockpit replacing the original gondola! But it IS intriguing - I have one of these in my stash (I think by a different manufacturer, though I'm not certain). Yours came out really nice!
This extraordinary variant of the Fw189 turned out beautifully, George @gblair
Hard to believe that those two tiny engines were strong enough to compensate for the fire power.
Thanks for stopping in, John (@j-healy), Greg (@gkittinger), and John (@johnb). This plane looked so cool, and then it popped up on sale. Who could resist? It is fun to build and really does look pretty cool when done.
That is a very interesting looking aircraft, I’ve never seen or heard of it. You did a great job bring it to life with your model, George @gblair Germany had some of the most interesting aircraft, too bad so few of them survived the immediate post war era.
Hi Jay (@ssgt): I had seen the FW-189A before with its huge gondola. I always stayed away from it because of all the windows and masking. Then I saw this model for the FW-189C with only 4 windows. Plus it looked really cool.
G’day George (@gblair),
I wasn’t aware that there was a kit for this version.
I’ve always thought that it looks like the cockpit has shrunk. I can’t imagine flying this back-to-back with the observer/gunner in such a small pod.
Liked!
Great! I have never heard about this version of Fw189.
A unique looking aircraft and a very interesting subject to have displayed. Great job George!
Thanks for stopping in, Michael (@michaelt), Bernard (@lis), and Bob (@v1pro). The pod is very small for this plane. I wondered how you entered and exited the plane until I found the 5th photo above of the real plane. I wonder how you would bail out of the plane in an emergency.
@gblair - Very cool build George. There are very unique angles to the cockpit of this plane. The final result doesn't show any fit issues whatsoever.
Thanks, Brian (@brithebuilder). None of the fit problems were bad, just annoying. Now, back to the Conquistador.
George R Blair Jr (@gblair)
You have done an amazing job with yours. The paint work looks outstanding too.
I have read that these aircraft were surprisingly maneuverable, and rugged. There were several reported instances where the Soviets actually rammed them, knocking off one of the booms and part of the tail surfaces, yet they still somehow made it back home. You wouldn't think they were that strong or aerobatic just by looking at them.
I can remember building the ancient 1/72 scale MPC kit when I was a kid. (It might have been an Airfix model, as I honestly don't remember for sure, but I "think" mine was made by MPC).
I have never seen this armored version built before. It looks really cool, however it also likely had a small crew compartment and would have been very cramped inside.
I do have several of the larger MPM kits for this plane in 1/48 scale sitting in "Ye olde Stash". Maybe someday I can get to them.
Sorry I have not been active on here lately. I sent you a text explaining things.
I definitely clicked on several of the various "like" buttons.
Well done my friend.
Thanks, Louis (@lgardner). They only made two of these prototypes, and each was different. I think the limited visibility out of the cockpit was a big negative.