Focke Wulf FW-190

FW-190 Luftwaffe airplane model. The Fw-190 was one of the greatest fighters of WWII. Designed by Dr. Kurt Tank, it built as a sturdy fighter-interceptor to augment the Messerschmitt Bf 109. It made its first flight on June 1, 1939 and first saw combat over northwestern France in September 1941.

The early FW-190A's were superior to the Spitfire Mk.V. This development spurred the continuing evolution of the Spitfire with ever more powerful engines, which pushed evolution of the Fw-190. It was a better fighter than the Bf-109, except at high altitude, and it carried much heavier armament. A major advantage was the wider stance the aircraft had. The Messerschmitt proved to be easy to bounce onto a wingtip on landing due to the narrow landing gear. The Focke Wulf did not have this problem, which saved pilots lives and aircraft. It was also successfully developed into a series of fighter-bombers, culminating in the superb TA 152. 20,001 Fw-190s were built.

Mahogany Wood. Scale: 1/24. Wingspan 17 1/4 inches, Length 14 1/2 inches.