Subject: Re: HLJ -Zoukei-Mura,,1/32 Focke Wulf Ta152 H-1
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Dave Johnson" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:15:38 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Johnson 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 12:36 AM
  Subject: HLJ -Zoukei-Mura,,1/32 Focke Wulf Ta152 H-1

  Zoukei-Mura

  1/32 Focke Wulf Ta152 H-1

  Super Wings Series

  Product # 02  (http://www.hlj.com/product/VOL50311) from HobbyLink Japan (www.hlj.com)

  History -

  The Focke Wulf Ta152 was German Luftwaffe high-altitude fighter/interceptor. The Ta 152 was a development of the Focke Wulf 190, but the prefix was changed from "Fw" to "Ta" to recognize the contributions of Kurt Tank who headed the design team. The number 152 was chosen in the German air ministry's list of numbers allocated to German aircraft companies, and was not related to the designer's previous projects or achievements. It was intended to be made in at least three versions-the Ta 152H Höhenjäger ("high-altitude fighter"), the Ta 152C designed for slightly lower-altitude operations and ground attack using a different engine and smaller wing, and the Ta 152E fighter-reconnaissance aircraft with the engine of the H model and the wing of the C model.

  The first Ta 152H entered service with the Luftwaffe in January 1945. Total production including prototypes and pre-production aircraft was very low and only some 43 production aircraft were delivered until the end of the war. This was too late to allow the Ta 152 to have a significant impact on the Germany's war effort.

  The Kit -

  Japanese new comers to the plastic model industry, Zoukei-Mura have made nice impression arriving on the scene with their first release, the 1/32 scale J7W1 Shinden fighter. With engineering and detail being excellent for a first release for a manufacturer.  Zoukei-Mura second release is the Ta 152 H-1, this kit also outstanding. If you have the Shinden, you know what you will be getting! Packed into the box is 8 very large sprues containing 181 parts in grey (4 sprues), silver (2 sprues), Black (1 sprue) and clear (1 sprue), A4 sized decal sheet, canopy painting masks and what appears to be a wartime document which contains the instructions.

  Most of the components of the Ta152 kit is mini kit in its self. The cockpit assembly is one of these, featuring nicely detailed side console panels, control rods from the foot pedals to the rear of the aircraft, two options of seats, one featuring a seat harness and one without. Which gives you the choice of using an aftermarket Photo Etch harness set. Zoukei-Mura has also added a few extras parts in the cockpit area that many other manufactures would leave out like, battery, GM-I Nitrous-oxide tank and the fuel tanks. Unfortunately, pretty much of all these extras are hidden away once the fuselage half's are buttoned up. The instrument panel is nicely detailed also, there is no gauge detail on the plastic parts as it is offered as a once piece decal or individual gauges decals.

  Zoukei Mura also supplies an Jumo 213 E engine which is another mini model in its own right with, 27 parts to complete it. The kit is designed so that can be displayed in the fuselage with the engines cowl's opens or closed. If you decide to leave the cowls open, the engine cries out to be super detailed with some wire looms and pipes.

  The cockpit assembly is hidden away behind an 3 part fuselage, 2 sides and lower section. The left hand side of the fuselage has an open equipment hatch that can be modelled opened or closed. The tail has section also features interior oxygen cylinders, mounting brackets and stabilizer bar. The tail section is designed very similar like the Hasegawa Fw190 Dora kits with the tail plug, but Zoukei-Mura kit features four locating pins. Be very carefully when gluing the tail to the fuselage, as it could be misaligned.

  The wing assembly features a huge wing spar, just like the earlier Shinden kit and all the wing panels are attached to it. The interesting thing with the wings , is that Zoukei-Mura have decided to use an side mold tooling on the leading edges of the wing. I have no idea why they have chosen this, the only thing I can see is help the modeller to keep an even leading edge. Control surfaces are all separate components, and the flaps can be displayed in the dropped or raised positions. Both wing gun panels are able to be displayed open to show off the MG151's and the magazine box and feed chutes.

  Landing gear detail is excellent, which includes separate tyres and hubs to ease that painting and weathering stage. Also included brake lines, which is a nice addition and shows in this large scale. Wheel bay's are modelled correctly which show the engine like on the real aircraft. The only thing is that the rivet detail is just a little bit soft, and could be a lot finer compared to some of the other parts found in the kit.

  The decal sheet is fantastic printed in good colour tones and in perfect register. There is only one scheme provided on the sheet for Obfw. Willi Reschke's Ta 152H-1, Green 9, Stab./JG 301, WrNr 150168. But the fantastic idea was to include Luftwaffe code numbers in Red, Yellow and Green, and smaller block numbers , so the modeller can build any Ta 152H and its corresponding construction number that goes along with it. The sheet also includes a set of national markings and stencils that are on found on the airframe. 

  Zouki-Mura has produced a real winner here with the Ta 152. The Shinden was a excellent starting point for the new company, but the Ta 152 has surpassed it. I will be looking forward to seeing their third release, which happens to be a Skyraider. The kit has to be the best Ta152 offering in 32nd scale on the market currently. You get a lot of plastic for your buck and would be a great kit for any Luftwaffe or late war fan. I recommend this kit for sure and I can wait to start building it myself, which  shouldn't be too long!

  Thank you to HobbyLink Japan (www.hlj.com) for supplying this review sample.