MPM 1/72 Focke Wulf Fw 189A-2 - Inbox Review

[Dave Ward]

This 1/72 aircraft model has been made by Airfix, Aoshima, ICM & MPM & reboxed by others.
This MPM version originated in 2001, has been reboxed by Italeri & Revell - it is marketed by Special Hobby now.

Good box, correct size - not very inspiring boxart.............
Sprue Shots


Reasonably clean sprues, a little flash & ejector pin marks ( see post 2 )
There are also a couple of resin parts - mg magazines & aerials ( forgot to put those in the photo! )
Instructions.............

More about the instructions in post 2

3 marking options - colour call outs referenced to RLM numbers :thumb2:
Part 2 for details and comments

[Dave Ward]

A few detail shots
Ingates not that bad!


A few ejector towers that will have to be dealt with - with so much glazing, they will be seen.

A surface defect - looks like the ejector pin pushing through from the other side


Otherwise, the panel lines are fairly light, but they are there.
Instructions..... The MPM instructions are on folded A4, and are too small!
example:

Too much in too small an area!
The model has been reboxed by Italeri & Revell - albeit without the PE!

The Italeri version ( roughly )


The Revell version
Both the reboxings are on full A4 size paper - much more legible!
The MPM Fw 189 is at the top end of the limited run style of model - that Italeri & Revell reboxed it showed that they thought it was mainline material. The gap between limited run & mainstream has narrowed so much in the last few years, that they are becoming indistinguishable, at least in the smaller scale models.
It's reasonably complete, but one thing that is essential - a mask set for the canopy! With so much glazing, a clean paint job is essential. Two piece swastikas are provided on the decal sheet - it may be easier to replace them!
Availability? Not exactly common, but can be found for about £16 ( + p&p ) - again, one of my ebay pick-ups
Dave

[adt70hk]

Interesting Dave. Thanks again for another interesting review.

[stillp]

I was looking at one of these at the Shuttleworth show yesterday, but I remembered I promised the Domestic Manager I wouldn't buy any more kits!
Pete

[Nicko]

I think I've got the Italeri boxing of this kicking about somewhere. Pretty sure that doesn't have either the resin or etch included though.

Thanks for putting these together Dave - very interesting.

Nick

[Jim R]

HI Dave
The kit itself looks pretty good but those instructions look confusing and very dated in their style.
Jim

[Tim Marlow]

Not bad that one. Great bird though, always liked the Airfix one I did when I was a kid :thumb2:

[Guest]

Not related to this kit, but if you like the Fw 189 you’ll probably enjoy these pictures (click on the first one to see all 30). The text of the article they’re with is also interesting.

[Tim Marlow]

Not related to this kit, but if you like the Fw 189 you’ll probably enjoy these pictures (click on the first one to see all 30). The text of the article they’re with is also interesting.

Great set of images there Jakko.

[stillp]

Great set of images there Jakko.

Yes!

[Mini Me]

Bravo!