Luftwaffe Model Aircraft Display

Built by James Caldwell 

FOCKE-WULF FW 190 A8 “Black 1”, Wr. N. 680167 2^nd STAFFEL, I GRUPPE JG 26

  Kit used: 1/48 scale Otaki FW 190 A8

  Kit Modifications: This kit is no longer considered “state of the art,” since more recent models of the FW 190 A have been released by Trimaster, DML, and Tamiya.  While this kit captures the look of a FW 190 A8 for the most part, the landing gear struts, wheels and wheel wells are terribly inaccurate.  To do this kit justice, these areas should be reworked.  Since this kit is being donated for use in the 357^th Fighter Group display, time would not allow a lot of time to correct these areas.  I chose only to replace the wheels from a Tamiya kit.

  Paint and color scheme: I wanted to select a color scheme and markings that would reflect a direct link with the 357^th Fighter Group.  Through a bit of research, I found that Uffz. Norbert Seidel claimed his first victory of the war on 9 May 1944 while flying a FW 190 AW, Wr. N. 680167.  This victory was over a P-51 of the 357^th Fighter Group.  After scoring this victory, Seidel was shot down by another P-51 after being chased low to the ground.  Seidel was able to half-roll his crippled fighter and bail out.  He received only minor injuries.  This aircraft wore “Black 1” for identification showing that it was a plane of the Second Staffel (squadron) of JG 26.  I could not find a photo of this exact plane, so the markings and colors are typical of what other JG 26 FW 190s carried at the time.  Noticeably absent is the white spiral on their spinners, until after D-Day, when the RLM made it mandatory as a tactical marking.  JG 26 FW 190 pilots also deleted the outboard guns on the aircraft to make it quicker and more maneuverable.  Many of the machines which had the guns deleted also carried a lighter center drop tank rack, which I chose to do on this model.

  I painted the aircraft in typical RLM colors of Spring 1944.  The overall scheme is RLM 74, 75 and 76, with RLM 04 yellow nose and tail.  I used Testor's Model Master I and II colors.  Testor’s Glosscoat was put down before applying the decals.  Decals came from various Aeromaster sheets.  Testor’s Dullcoat was used for the final flat finish.

  References: JG 26, Photographic History of the Luftwaffe’s Top Guns, by Donald Caldwell, published by Motorbooks International, copyright 1994.   The JG 26 War Diary, Volume Two 1943-45, by Donald Caldwell, published by Grub Street, copyright 1998.

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