Fw 200 C-5/C-8 Condor

Revell, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Revell's 1/72 scale Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-5/C-8 Condor will be available online from Squadron.com
 

 
While at IPMS ScaleModelworld in the UK last week, I was pleased and surprised to see Revell's brand-new 1/72 scale Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-5/C-8 kit on display at the Revell stand, and even happier to snap one up on sale at Hannants' tables.

This kit is all new tooling, and is not an adaptation of any other earlier release.

Revell's new 1/72 scale Condor comprises 214 parts in grey styrene; 26 parts in clear styrene; markings for four aircraft.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

x 2 identical sprues
	x 2 identical sprues

Surface detail is excellent, comprising mainly fine and crisply engraved panel lines but including selected recessed rivets, subtle fabric texture and raised features where appropriate.

Detail parts are equally impressive. Without resorting to a very complicated kit breakdown, Revell has managed to mould a great deal of detail onto the important internal areas including the engines and the cockpit. The fine cooling fins on the engines and the quilted seat cushions are especially nice.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Two HS 293 guided bombs are included.

Clear parts are also very well done, being thin and free of distortion.

It is also pleasing to note the total absence of ejector pin circles or sink marks on any outside surface of any of the parts. This is a testament to clever planning, and is especially welcome in this smaller scale where an ejector pin mark in the wrong place can render a part almost useless. Well done Revell.

The only problem that I could find on this first examination was a few scuff marks on the upper wing halves. This may be a problem with early production kits that will be cleaned up in later batches.

Markings are supplied for four aircraft. All are finished in the standard maritime finish of RLM 72 / 73 / 76 (although I would have expected 65 as the lower surface colour), with one of the options including an intricate "wave-mirror" pattern of RLM 76 over the fuselage sides and engine nacelles. The decals appear to be well printed and in good register.

The decal sheet includes stencil markings plus decal dials as an option for the instrument panel.

The detail and surface features on Revell's new 1/72 scale Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-5/C-8 would not look out of place on a 1/48 scale kit. Even in this scale, when finished the Condor will be a big, impressive model.

In my opinion at around £12.00, it also represents excellent value.

This is another state-of-the-art offering from Revell.

Highly Recommended.

Sample purchased with HyperScale funds.

Review and Text Copyright © 2006 by Brett Green
Page Created 30 November, 2006
Last updated 21 February, 2007

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