1:72 FW-190 A

The real subject

The Fw 190 A is a German single-seat fighter of the Second World War, powered by an air-cooled radial engine. Against the opponents of its day it earned a reputation as a solid, well-handling machine with heavy armament and with the crew shielded from fire from ahead by the mass of the engine. The cockpit sits high on the back of the fuselage and the canopy slides to the rear, so the pilot has a good view to the sides and behind. On a model the glazing is therefore very much on show, and both its thickness and its clarity decide the impression the whole machine makes.

What a standalone canopy is for

The part from the kit tends to be thick-walled for the scale, the frames on it may not be distinct, and after years in the box it is easily scratched or lost. A standalone clear canopy solves that and opens up a second option: building the model with the canopy slid back and letting the interior be seen, without having to cut up the only part the box contains. How many pieces the package carries, and in what form, is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

• Hold the part by its edges; fingerprints come off a clear surface less easily than you would expect.
• How the canopy is separated and cleaned up is given in the instructions enclosed by the manufacturer.
• Try the fit on the fuselage dry while the shape can still be adjusted.
• Mask and spray the frames before you seat the canopy on the model.
• Glue with a product intended for clear parts; thin cyanoacrylate will fog the surface.
• Small scratches can be dealt with by polishing and a thin coat of gloss varnish.

Terms of supply

The kit of the aircraft, the paints, the masks and the glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.