1:48 Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8/R2 part 1 - JG 3 Butcherbirds / Fw 190A-8 Rammjäger

An Fw 190A-8/R2 decal set in 1:48 scale

The sheet covers four Fw 190A-8/R2 machines of the JG 3 assault fighter group of 1944. It offers the markings of Black 13 flown by Lieutenant Werner Gerth of the 11th Staffel, then Black 8 and Yellow 2 of Corporal Willi Maximowitz of the 4th Staffel and Yellow 17 of Corporal Willi Unger of the 12th Staffel. These are printed markings for finishing a model that has already been built.

What the R2 designation meant

The A-8/R2 modification came about for the daylight interception of American bomber formations. Instead of the 20 mm cannons in the wing it carried a pair of 30 mm MK 108 weapons, with which a few hits were enough to bring down a four-engine machine. The pilot was protected by armored glass at the sides of the canopy and by strengthened plating around the cockpit. The nickname Rammjäger recalls the pledge of the assault squadrons to bring a bomber down by ramming it if the guns failed.

Transferring the markings onto a model

First level the surface under the decals with a gloss varnish so that no air is trapped under the film. Let the cut-out motif release from the paper in lukewarm water, slide it into place and blot the surplus water away. A decal softener will help the film settle into the engraved lines and onto the rounded fuselage. Finally seal the surface with a varnish in the same degree of sheen as the rest of the model.

Who the sheet is useful for

• builders of Luftwaffe aircraft of the last two years of the war
• anyone interested in the history of the assault fighter squadrons
• modelers who want a specific machine with a documented pilot
• collectors of markings in 1:48 scale