Hasegawa

1/48 Focke-Wulf FW190A-5 'GRAF' w/Figure

product 09893  $35.61 from HobbyLink Japan

Product Article by Nick Moore on Apr 1 2010

 

The Hasegawa FW190 A-5 in this kit is not new and has been favourably reviewed elsewhere. It represents good quality and buildability but without some of the detail and extras contained in say Eduard’s A-5. This release contains the same A-5 parts but with decals that cover the two slightly different variations of Graf's FW190 A-5 Wk-Nr 2594 that he flew with EJGr Ost in France .

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

This previously released aircraft kit now includes a very well sculpted figure depicting ‘Hauptmann Hermann Graf’ in France during 1943. It is obviously difficult to capture a likeness in this small scale and though his features are a little exaggerated the resemblance to Graf of this resin casting is very good. The box features a portrait of Graf and a photo of a painted example (an excellent job) as a guide to painting. Incidentally I think at the time of the image portrayed on the box art he had been promoted to Major and the figure has a hint of the correct woven braid on the epaulets that is appropriate to the rank)

There is little doubt that Hermann Graf was a talented fighter pilot. As well as running up a high total of victories in the east with JG 52 he was also able to add several more against the western allies during various duties with JGr 50 and JG 11 from 1943 to 1944. He rejoined and led his old unit JG 52 from October 1944 until the end of the war and was imprisoned in the Soviet Union until his release in 1949.

My thanks to HobbyLink Japan for supplying this kit for review.

Nick Moore

Photos and text © by Nick Moore