Focke-Wulf Fw 190A – Black 18, 8./JG 2, Luftwaffe, Rudolf Eisele, January 1943 1/48

Hobby Master 1/48 scale HA7428: Focke-Wulf Fw 190A Black 18 of 8./JG 2, Luftwaffe, Rudolf Eisele, January 1943. Production run of around 500 models

Length 7.25 inches Wingspan 8.5 inches

Stab III was formed in 1940 and consisted of 7./JG2, 8./JG and 9./JG2. The Gruppenkommandeure from November 1, 1942 until July 1943 was Hptm Egon Mayer. 8./JG2 was located at Brest from April 1942 – 9 November 1942 and Brest-Guipavas from 22 November 1942 until approximately February 1943. 8./JG2 was tasked with the defense of western section of occupied France. The red wolf emblem of 8./JG2 was applied to left side cowling and the 8 victories Eisele scored up to January 1943 are marked on the rudder.

Designed by Kurt Tank, the Fw-190A was first flown on June 1st, 1939. This small, yet ferociously-powered aircraft was fast and maneuverable and packed a fierce armament package earning it the nickname “Butcher Bird”. The wide landing gear, excellent visibility and high-altitude paddle-bladed propeller endeared it to pilots familiar with the shortcomings of its predecessor – the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Some of the Luftwaffe’s most famous fighter aces flew the Fw 190. Many variants were produced during the war, with the most notable being the inline-engine equipped and longer-nosed 190D, known as the “Dora.”