Airfix Focke Wulf FW 190 D 1:72 [air01064 (A01064)]

The "Doras", as they were nicknamed, entered service in October 1944 in fighter and fighter-bomber roles. Designed by Kurt Tank, the Fw190 D-9 was an intermediate model between the earlier radial engined Fw190A series and the later high-altitude Ta 152 interceptor. Powered by a 1,776 hp Junkers Jumo 213A 12 cylinder liquid-cooled in-line engine, it proved to be one of the finest piston-engined fighters to enter Luftwaffe service. It has been argued that their design (small wings, thin tapered fuselage and large engine) was heavily influenced by the American racing aircraft of the immediate pre-war period. Capable of a maximum speed of 426 mph at 21,326 ft, it's service ceiling was 39,372 ft with a range of 520 miles. Production D-9's or "Doras" as they were nicknamed, entered service in October 1944 and by May 1945 nearly 700 had been built. As well as operating in fighter-bomber roles, D-9's also acted as top cover for the Luftwaffe Me262 jets during their critical landing and take-off stages when they were vulnerable to marauding Allied fighters. This was because their acceleration was so poor that they were effectively sitting ducks until they got up to speed. VERSIONS: (A) Fw190D-9, 6 Staffel, II Gruppe, JG 26 "Schlageter", Nordhorn, Germany, early 1945. (B) Fw190D-9, Wurger Staffel, Jagderverbande 44, Munich-Reim, Germany, early 1945. COMPLETED SIZE: 142 mm x 145 mm PAINTS: Humbrol (Common) 28, 53, 56, 61, 65, 67, 78, 85, 91, 96, 98, 154, 171, 174 (A) 27 (B) 30, 154 COMMENTS: Paints not included KMSLEas