1:32 Fw 190D inspection panel

The real subject

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was among the most widespread German fighters of the Second World War. The D version is recognizable at first glance from the earlier machines: it has a markedly stretched nose and a rear fuselage lengthened by a stretch, so it looks slimmer and longer than the earlier, stocky Fw 190. The surface of the fuselage is broken up by a row of inspection panels through which the ground crew reached the equipment inside. In a large scale a place like that is a rewarding detail, because it breaks up an otherwise smooth expanse of skin.

What the accessory offers

An accessory in 1:32 scale aimed at the inspection panel of the Fw 190D. The extent of the set, that is which parts it holds and how large an area of the surface it covers, along with the kit it is cut for, are given in the manufacturer's instructions. The parts are not polystyrene, so ordinary cement for plastic models will not join them and the joint is held by cyanoacrylate glue.

Building and painting tips

• cut the surplus material away with a sharp blade a little from the part and sand the remainder back carefully
• before painting, wash the parts in lukewarm soapy water and let them dry thoroughly
• if the instructions call for an opening in the fuselage of the kit, cut it with some margin and finish it dry with a file
• a drop of cyanoacrylate glue laid on with the tip of a toothpick is enough for gluing, and any excess will fill the surrounding engraving
• paint the inside of the panel before you seat it, because a brush will not reach in afterward

Who it is for

The accessory will be appreciated by modelers who want to show more than a smooth expanse of fuselage in a large scale and who do not mind a small reworking of the kit. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.