Dora The Long-Nosed Killer

Historical Background

Focke Wulf's Fw 190A series fighter was seen to have deficient high-altitude performance. This is because the BMW 801 engine which powered the Fw 190A series was originally developed for low altitude-flying cargo and bomber aircraft, which do not need superchargers for high-altitude performance. Their short wings were also overloaded at high altitude, degrading maneuverability. This was in contrast with the Bf 109, with its liquid-cooled, supercharged DB 601 engine which allowed it to perform well at altitudes in excess of 20,000 feet. At first, the Fw 190's deficiency was of no great concern as combat usually took place at medium altitude where the Fw 190 still have ample performance. However with the arrival of American high-altitude bombers, there was a pressing need for high-altitude performance. At first this was achieved by using GM-1 nitrous oxide boost. However, the system can only give extra performance for short endurance only.

To address the altitude problem, which was recognised even before the Fw 190 entered service, Kurt Tank proposed three solutions. The first, Fw 190B, was to be powered by a turbocharged BMW 801; Fw 190C was to be powered by a turbocharged Daimler Benz DB 603 and Fw 190D with a supercharged Junkers Jumo 213. The aircraft would also be equipped with a pressurised cockpit. The B variant was a dead end with only just one airframe completed. The C model require extensive change to the airframe. The longer engine caused the tail to be lengthened to restore the centre of gravity. The turbocharger air intake and intercooler were grouped in a pouch-like fairing underneath fuselage (akin to the P-51 Mustang) causing the C models to be nicknamed Kanguru (Kangaroo). 

The D model, nicknamed Langnasen Dora (Long-nosed Dora) had the radial powerplant of the A series replaced with an inline engine, the Junkers Jumo 213. The new engine generated 1,726hp and could produce 2,071hp with MW50 injection and can reach 426mph at 21,650 feet. Like the C series, the D series was also lengthened to 10.192 meters long. Since the engine is now liquid-cooled, more components had to be taken into consideration. To simplify design and to keep it aerodynamic, Tank chose to use annular radiator, making the engine installation similar to Junkers-engined Ju-88. Early batches of the Dora were equipped with standard canopies but later versions were equipped with blown canopies, with the associated redesign of the pilot armour plate. Armament was reduced, as compared with the A series. The Doras were armed with two MG 131 13mm machine guns in the fuselage and two 20mm MG 151/20 in the wing roots. The Dora made an effective fighter, and when flown by the Experten, was the equal of the Allied fighters such as the Mustang and late-mark Spitfires. 

The Dora Nine entered service in September 1944 with III./JG 54 'Grunherz'. Despite the better performance, the new fighter initially received negative comments and was not helped by Tank himself who pronounced that the Doras were just a stop-gap measure, pending the introduction of the definitive Ta 152. Some Fw 190Ds were used to protect Me 262 airfields from marauding Allied fighters, they were organised into Platzicherungstaffel (air defence squadron). Jagdverband 44's Platzicherungstaffel had their bellies painted in red and white stripes to identify them as friendly to the airfield Flak crews. This in turn gained themselves a new nickname : Papagein staffel (parrot squadron)! Such practice however wasted the Doras' high altitude performance. Despite the higher performance figures, the sheer weight of Allied air power, together with the dwindling number of Expertens and the fuel situation, the Doras cannot influence the air war late in World War 2. A total of 1,805 D-9s were built, together with small numbers of D-11 and D-13. 

The Kit

Tamiya's kit of the Dora-Nine was their third Fw 190 after the F-8 and A-3. The kit was first released in 1995 and features all of Tamiya's hallmarks - good moulding, crisp detail and panel lines and ease of assembly. Despite all the good points, the kit suffer from a number of shortcomings. As the mould for the Dora Nine share many of the universal parts with the A- and F-variant moulds, they suffer from short landing legs and undersized tyres. The Dora Nine added further shortcomings such as fully-enclosed wheel well (the original has the front part open, exposing the rear part of the engine), misshapen fuselage gun covers, prop spinner and prop blades and single underfuselage ammo chute. The last was caused by the fact that Tamiya used the Dora-Nine at the US Air Force Museum, Dayton, Ohio as their starting point. The AFM example has the D-13 wing grafted onto the D-9 airframe (the D-13 was equipped with just a single hub-mounted MG 151/20, hence just one cartridge ejection chute).

Decals were provided for three aircraft : 4./JG 301 (RLM75/83/76), Stab./JG 4 (RLM75/83/76) and 10./JG 54 (82/76/81). The decals are typical Tamiya: well printed but rather thick.

Construction   

Construction, as usual, started with the cockpit. The cockpit parts are virtually the same with the previous Tamiya Wurgers, but since the Dora was one of the earlier releases, there were no decals for the instrument panel and the seat belt. The cockpit, and sidewall colour of RLM 66 Schwarzgrau was painted using Tamiya XF-63 German Grey with details painted X-18 Semi-Gloss Black, XF-16 Flat Aluminium and Khaki (I use Gunze acrylic) where appropriate. The instrument panel were then dry brushed white to pop-up the details. The inside of the fuselage halves were then painted RLM 02 before being mated together. The completed cockpit tub was then inserted into its place

Next up was the wing assembly. The wheel well parts were painted Tamiya XF-22 RLM Grey while still on the sprues. Upon inspection, I found out that Tamiya has tweaked out the wing bottom so that there are now two recesses for the fuselage ammo cartridge chute. The fully enclosed wheel well is still here however. The wing top and bottom were then mated together, after which I realised that I forgot to drill the holes for the ETC 504 rack! The wing was then mated to the fuselage, along with the horizontal stabilizers and the radiator and gun cowls.

Painting and Decaling

As stated before, Tamiya provided three marking options. I was thinking of the first option (4./JG 301 - Blue 15) as the 301's RVD band of red and yellow looked more attractive than JG 4's (<||) black/white/black band or 10./JG 54's (Black 12) blander colour of RLM82 Lichtgrun and RLM76 Lichtblau with no band whatsoever. However, while browsing the internet, I came across the story of 'Black 12'. Focke Wulf Fw 190D-9 Werknummer 120079 was the mount of Leutnant Theo Nibel for the ill-fated Operation Bodenplatte - the mass air attack by the Jagdwaffe against Allied airfields in Belgium, southern Holland and northern France on 1 January 1945. The remnants of III./JG 54, together with I/JG 26 were tasked with attacking the airfield at Grimbergen, Belgium. Arriving at the target, Leutnant Nibel who flew in the second schwarm (flight) realised that the airfield is inactive, which was marked by a large white cross at the end of the runway. The airfield was attacked anyway as there were a few aircraft on the field. The RAF Regiment unit stationed there put up a fight, managing to shoot down six of the attackers. While turning in for a third strafing run, Leutnant Nibel felt a hit that shook his aircraft. The engine temperature shot up and the propeller slowed down. Too low to bail out, he crash-landed Black 12 next to the runway. His canopy was jammed in the crash but the British soldiers simply smashed the glass and took him prisoner. Black 12 became the first intact Dora Nine to fall into Allied hands. Despite the AA fire put up by the defenders, Black 12 was not shot down but rather a victim of a birdstrike when it flew through a flock of partridges!

Before painting, I masked off the canopy and windscreen, re-using the masks from my previous build as Black 12 was one of the early batches of Fw 190D-9s, using the original 'standard' canopy. As for Black 12's colour, there were various interpretations, with the only constant colour being RLM 76 for the lower fuselage. Tamiya's instruction has it in RLM82/76 with RLM 82 mottling on the tail. A side profile I saw in a magazine has the upper colours in dark green (RLM83 Hellgrun?) with RLM 04 rudder and undernose panel. Yet some modelers paint the upper fuselage RLM 75/83. The upper wing colours in Tamiya's instructions were RLM81/82 whilst others show them as 75/83. I eventually elected to paint Black 12 with RLM 75/83 for the upper fuselage, RLM 81/82 for the upper wings and horizontal tails and RLM 04 for the rudder and undernose panel, including the lower part of the radiator cowling. The mottling was done to my 'three-feet trick' standard. Afterwards, it was time for the decals. Again, they are of typical Tamiya quality - rather thick and not really responsive to decal setting solutions.

Finishing  

The still loose parts can now be attached onto the model. As I mentioned in my Fw 190A-8/R-2 build, Tamiya's Dora also suffer from undersized main landing gears. I tried to 'cheat' by gluing the landing gears at a different angle, but it looked rather ridiculous, so I glued them as they were. The drop tank was then glued in place. Once the gear had fully set, I attached the most vulnerable parts such as the pitot tube, loop aerial, and the FuG 16ZY radio aerial. The prop spinner was painted Tamiya X-18 Semi-Gloss Black and the spiral decal applied. The prop blades were painted Tamiya XF-27 Black Green and the prop assembly was then pushed into place. All that remained was some weathering. I started with a sludge wash using watercolours. I also added exhaust stains on the fuselage sides using Tamiya Weathering Master 'Soot'. This time however, I did not add much weathering to the the drop tank, just the basic wash. Finally, a layer of Tamiya TS-79 Flat Clear was sprayed onto the model. The masks were then peeled off, completing the build.

Conclusion

The Fw 190D-9 is everything one can expect from Tamiya. It was well-engineered and easy to build. The issues with the landing gears, fuselage gun cowling and the prop/spinner are fairly major especially to those who are afflicted with Advanced Modelers' Syndrome but can be disregarded by the casual modelers like yours truly. Having said that, it still looks good for an OOB build.

Battering Ram of the RVD

Historical Background

In 1937, the Reichluftfahrtministerium (RLM) issued a request for proposals from the German aviation industry for a new fighter aircraft to serve alongside the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Kurt Tank, Focke-Wulf's chief engineer responded with a number of designs. However, only a design featuring an air-cooled, 14-cylinder BMW 139 radial got the RLM's attention. Use of radial engines for a fighter was rare in Europe at that time as it was believed the wide radial engines would create a higher drag than inline engines, degrading performance (the relative failure of the Italian fighters such as the G.50, MC200 and Re.2000 seemed to support this belief). However, Tank, having seen the successful use of radials in US Navy fighters, decided that it wasn't so and felt that a properly designed installation would minimise the drag.

Eventually, the first prototype, Fw 190 V1 flew on 1 June 1939. It soon exhibited excellent handling qualities and speed. At the same time, BMW was testing a larger engine, the BMW 801, which the RLM persuaded Tank to install it in the Fw 190. Whilst of the same diameter as the BMW 132, the 801 was heavier and longer. This resulted in a redesign of the airframe for Prototype V5 which first flew in Spring 1940. After further redesign, 28 the pre-production Fw 190A-0 was ordered in November 1940. Erprobungsstaffel 190 was formed in March 1941 to test, help iron out remaining bugs and approve the Fw 190 before it is accepted for full service in the Luftwaffe. In June 1941, the first production model, Fw 190A-1 entered service, equipping II./JG26. The aircraft was armed with four 7.92mm MG17 machine guns (2 in fuselage, 2 in wing roots) and two wing-mounted 20mm MG FF/M cannons.

The Fw 190 was developed continuously during the war; for ground attack, the A series was developed into the F and G variants whilst the quest for better high-altitude performance led to the re-engined D series. As for the A series itself, production of the A-8 variant was started in February 1944. This variant was powered by the standard BMW 801 D-2 engine or the BMW 801Q. Armour for the front cowling was increased from 6mm to 10mm. The A-8 also included the Erhöhte Notleistung emergency boost system, allowing power to be raised to 1,953hp for a short duration. The A-8 can also be fitted with a new wooden paddle-bladed propellers and, on some aircraft, with bulged canopy to improve the view to the rear. Standard armament was a pair of 13mm MG 131 machine guns in the fuselage and four 20mm MG 151 cannons ; two in the wing roots and another two in mid-wing mounts. There were also numerous Rüstsätze kits available for the A-8. The A-8 was the most numerous of all A series, with over 6,655 built between March 1944 to May 1945.

When introduced in August 1941, the Fw 190 (nicknamed Würger = shrike aka butcher bird) was superior in all respects except for turn radius to Spitfire Mk. V, the main variant of the British fighter at the time. This enabled the Germans to wrest air superiority from the RAF until the Spitfire Mk. IX entered service in July 1942. The Fw 190 soon form the backbone of the Jagdwaffe along with the Bf 109. They fought almost everywhere, from the Western Front to Russia. With the coming of Allied strategic bombing campaign, the Fw 190 also fought over Germany as part of the Reichsverteidigung (RVD = Defence Of the Reich). The USAAF's heavy bombers, especially the B-17s caused problems for the Luftwaffe. The bombers can absorb heavy punishment at the time when the German aircraft weapons were inadequate for bomber-destroying missions. The heavy defensive firepower of individual aircraft, together with the mutually supporting combat box formation made approach highly risky. Since the Fw 190 had interception missions as part of the design, it was considered ideal for further modifications for anti-bomber operations.

The new method for attacking the bombers was proposed by one  Major von Komatski, an associate of the General der Jagdfliger, Adolf Galland. He suggested that specially armoured fighters are to get as close as possible to the bombers before opening fire and, as a last resort, to ram the bombers. The A-6 version was first modified for this mission, using Rüstsatz (field conversion) kits. The most numerous Sturmböcke (battering ram) conversion was the A-8/R-2 which had the outer MG 151s replaced with the harder hitting 30mm MK 108 cannons, extra armour around the cockpit sides and thicker armoured windshield glass. The additional weapon and armour however reduced the Sturmböcke aircraft's performance so that they had to be escorted by Bf 109s and/or standard Fw 190s. A special unit, Sturmstaffel 1 was formed to test the viability of the tactic. Attached to JG 3 'Udet', the unit achieved success that it was expanded into a full Gruppe - Gruppe IV of JG 3. Soon II./JG 300 was converted into a Sturmgruppe along with II./JG 4. The Sturmgruppen's greatest success came on 7 July 1944 when IV/JG 3, escorted by two Gruppen of Bf 109s from JG 300 downed 28 B-24s attacking aircraft factories in Leipzig and synthetic oil plants. With the increasing effectiveness of USAAF fighter escorts, the heavy and awkward-handling sturmjagers' success began to decline with the lack of fuel becoming the last nail in their (indeed, the whole of the Luftwaffe) coffin.

The Kit

Tamiya's kit of the A-8/R-2 was their fourth Fw 190 in 1/48 scale (after F-8, A-3 and D-9). The kit came in four medium grey and one clear sprues, a small flexible plastic (vinyl?) sheet for the side armour plates, canopy painting mask and a decal sheet. The quality of the parts are typically Tamiya. In real life, the F-8 attack version was derived from the A-8; Tamiya's A-8 shared the same moulding with the earlier F-8. This was evident from the sprues holding ground attack ordnance and mounts. New sprues include bottom wing plates and the barrels for the MK 108 cannons and  wider chord prop used by some Sturmböcke aircraft. Clear parts includes both standard and blown canopies, plus armoured glass panel, also unique to some sturmbocke aircraft. In fact, with aftermarket decals, one can build the F-8 or the standard A-8 from this kit. Decals were provided for five aircraft:

1. Unteroffizier Willi Maximowitz IV./JG3, June 1944
2. Leutnant Klaus Bretschneider II./JG 300 October 1944
3. Hauptmann Wilhelm Moritz IV./JG 3 August 1944
4. Unteroffizier Matthaus Erdhardt II./JG 300 October 1944
5. Unteroffizier Ernst Schroeder II./ JG 300 November 1944

Construction

Before building commences, it should be noted that there are subtle differences between some of the marking options with regards to the side armour panels, armoured glass panels and armament. I settled for Option B, Leutnant Bretschneider's plane. Construction, as usual, started with the cockpit. The cockpit parts are virtually the same with the previous Tamiya Wurgers, the main difference was the inclusion of decals for the instrument panel and the seat belt. The seat belt should really be substituted with a PE aftermarket one (or having the seat replaced with a resin aftermarket with moulded-on seat belt) but I simply used the one provided in the kit. The cockpit, and sidewall colour of RLM 66 Schwarzgrau was painted using Tamiya XF-63 German Grey with details painted X-18 Semi-Gloss Black, XF-16 Flat Aluminium and Khaki ( I use Gunze acrylic) where appropriate.

The fuselage halves were then mated as per instructions. The applique armour plates were then attached to the outside of the cockpit. The armour parts were self-adhesive but not pre-cut so I had to carefully trim out the parts from their sheet. The exhaust stubs were then attached after they have been painted Burnt Iron. This was followed by assembling the engine parts which was then painted X-18 and Steel, followed by a dry-brushing of silver. The engine assembly was then glued to the fuselage and the cockpit slid into its place.

Next up was the wing assembly. The wheel well parts were painted Tamiya XF-22 RLM Grey while still on the sprues. Holes were the drilled in the bottom part of the wing to accommodate the ETC501 rack and at top of the wing halves to accommodate the cannon breech covers. The wing top and bottom were then mated together. Tamiya provided different underwing panels for the cartridge ejection chutes according to the aircraft modelled (Option 5 has a different panel) and these were attached accordingly. The cannon muzzles were however set aside until later. The wing was then mated to the fuselage, along with the horizontal stabilizers and the engine cowl. Finally before painting, I attach the fuselage gun covers, after cutting off the moulded gun barrels and adding fairings for the gun troughs. If doing the other options, one would leave the gun barrels as they were (Option 5) or just cutting off the gun muzzles (option 1). The canopy and windscreen were then masked off using the provided masks. They weren't pre-cut but easily done with sharp, preferably new blade.

Painting and Decaling

Mid-war Luftwaffe fighter planes were usually painted RLM 74 Graugrun and RLM 75 Grauviolett for upper camouflage and RLM 76 Lichtblau for the rest of the airframe. All colours were painted using Gunze Sangyo acrylics. However, when I apply the Graugrun, it didn't look right - it looked more brownish rather than greenish. I quickly consulted the internet and found out that Gunze's RLM 74 is 'wrong', so to speak. Fortunately, the same website (Plastic Surgery) suggested that Tamiya's XF-61 Dark Green when sufficiently lightened, made an adequate RLM 74. Now, the airplane I'm making the model of have mottles of RLM 74 and 75 on the sides and the tail, and there is only one way to paint them convincingly - by airbrush. I do not own one and how can I make the mottling? So, I try to create the illusion of mottling. First I thin down the respective paints until they resemble dirty thinner. It was then dabbed onto the model at the appropriate places. After it has dried I added a thicker paint solution. To my eyes they look like mottling with the thinner paint pretending to be oversprays. It won't pass muster at close-up but quite OK from 6 feet away! I also painted the underside of the nose RLM 04 Gelb using XF-3 Flat Yellow accented with some XF-7 Flat Red. It wasn't on the instructions but I painted it so after seeing some profiles and online builds.

The decals went on next. The reason I chose Lt. Bretschneider's plane was the nose (or rather, fuselage) art : 'Rauhbautz VII'. Rahbautz is German for 'tough guy' and I felt that it was appropriate for the aircraft (and the unit) that was expected to get close to the thirteen .50 cal machine guns of a B-17 in order to shoot it down, and were also also expected to ram their target should the need arise. They were of the usual Tamiya quality - good colour density and register although a bit thick. They went on well with a dash of Mr. Mark Softer.    

Finishing

The still lose parts can now be attached onto the model. I started by gluing the MK 108 muzzles into place and attaching the landing gears. Fit is good but online reviews mention that Tamiya's Wurgers all suffer from inadequate main landing gear length. This, coupled with undersized tyres resulted in a lowered stance as compared to the real aircraft. Afterwards, I attached the drop tank into place. Once the gear had fully set, I attached the most vulnerable parts such as the pitot tube, loop aerial, and the FuG 16ZY radio aerial. The prop spinner was sprayed Tamiya TS-27 Flat White and the spiral decal applied. The prop blades were painted Tamiya XF-27 Black Green and the prop assembly was then pushed into place.

All that remains was some weathering. I started with a sludge wash using watercolours. I also added exhaust stains on the fuselage sides using Tamiya Weathering Master 'Soot'. Although I believe it to be incorrect, (as it was a DROP tank) I added some fuel stains onto the drop tank using Tamiya X-19 Smoke. Finally, a layer of Tamiya TS-79 Flat Clear was sprayed onto the model. The masks were then peeled off, completing the build.

Conclusion

Tamiya has come up with another fine, although not perfect, scale model. Although there is that issue with the landing gear, it was still a good model kit with ease of build being its main hallmark. Those who wish to have a more accurate stance for their Tamiya Wurger can invest in various aftermarket parts available.