Anyone here own a Skyworks Focke-Wulf?

NWarty · Post by **NWarty** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:28 am

Hey guys,
Seeing that 21C is going T/U and the lack of 1/18 FW-190 A series out there, I came across the Skyworks models at MTS yesterday.

Can anyone here tell me if they own one and what is the level of detail that goes into a $400-500 model?

- Is the cockpit upgraded?

- Any additional aerials besides the under fuselage ring antenna?

I've seen where SW upgrades the 21C gear with metal.

Just curious, I'm eyeballing the Black 13 "Eagle".

Thanks fellas,
Blake

mikeg · Post by **mikeg** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:09 am

perhaps that would be a "NO", but not for lack of wanting- when I hit the lottery, I'll take one of each offerings....

Light.Inf.Scout · Post by **Light.Inf.Scout** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:19 am

I own the ME 163 - nice little plane on first inspection, but it is little. Came with a broken wheel - which,after some correspondence, they sent a replacement a couple months later. But, it was the wrong one

. My wife was dusting and picked it up last week, the little wheel trolly fell off and landed on the carpet after falling about 4 feet - result, another broken wheel

. While playing with the wheel to glue it, I noticed one of the stickers is coming off

. To me, not worth $350. Probably the first and last I'll buy.

Maybe I just got unlucky and others had a better expeience???

King O' Fools · Post by **King O' Fools** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:53 am

Light.Inf.Scout wrote:I own the ME 163 - nice little plane on first inspection, but it is little. Came with a broken wheel - which,after some correspondence, they sent a replacement a couple months later. But, it was the wrong one . My wife was dusting and picked it up last week, the little wheel trolly fell off and landed on the carpet after falling about 4 feet - result, another broken wheel . While playing with the wheel to glue it, I noticed one of the stickers is coming off . To me, not worth $350. Probably the first and last I'll buy. Maybe I just got unlucky and others had a better expeience???

And here I was pissed off with 21st because their M-16 halftrack was missing one of the headlamp guards. Business as usual at 21st's Chinese sweatshop, err, Toy Factory

To me, the Hurricane decals always seemed a little funny, but then again it may have been the quality of the pictures and not the decals (because I assumed that's what they were). But the notion that a $350 model

may have peeling stickers

is, well, rather astounding to say the least.

NWarty · Post by **NWarty** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:58 am

Thanks Scout,
500 bucks for a nose piece and gear seems a little overboard and to think there may be more issues. I saw NO cockpit photos on the SW website which leads me to believe there's no modifications done in the front office. Sure is a pretty exterior model though.

Meh, maybe it's time to rethink getting a BBI F-16

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:59 am

NWarty wrote:Thanks Scout,
500 bucks for a nose piece and gear seems a little overboard and to think there may be more issues. I saw NO cockpit photos on the SW website which leads me to believe there's no modifications done in the front office. Sure is a pretty exterior model though.

Meh, maybe it's time to rethink getting a BBI F-16

IIRC, the Skyworks 190A is just a modified Dora with a new cowl. The problem being that the Dora's tail section was lengthened, so to make a true A version, one would have to remove the spacer in front of the tail. I don't think Skyworks makes this modification.

mkxiv · Post by **mkxiv** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:07 pm

IIRC, the Skyworks 190A is just a modified Dora with a new cowl. The problem being that the Dora's tail section was lengthened, so to make a true A version, one would have to remove the spacer in front of the tail. I don't think Skyworks makes this modification.

If you compare the 21st D to the Skyworks A's you will noticed that the rear fuselage spacer has been removed. Of coarse the front cowling has also been replaced but also the landing gear, prop, Rudder, Vertical and horizontal stabs have been replaced or modified to represent the A model. If you look at the picture below you can see the changes. Some of the cheaper Skyworks Fw-190s do not include all these mods but all have had the rear fuselage spacer removed.

There was a decal issue with some of the early Skyworks models but this problem has now been remedied.

Jack the Owner of Skyworks has stopped over a couple times to show us his latest projects. Every time I am amazed by his engineering and painting skills. What he has done with the Hurricane is truly amazing. You can see the picture below the detail of the castings.

We do offer the Hurricane and Komet as a kit if you want to assemble and paint them yourself.

If you are looking for a model that can be handled and played with often then Skyworks models are not for you.

Now if you are looking for a professionally hand built and hand painted, highly limited display model that will most likely not be available from the big box manufactures in the near future, then Skyworks may be for you.

Regards,
Isaiah
www.militarytoyshop.com

popeye357 · Post by **popeye357** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:33 pm

If youre looking at spending that kind of scratch, why not snatch up the black 14 on MTS?? Only $225.

scbvideoboy · Post by **scbvideoboy** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:38 pm

Light.Inf.Scout wrote:I own the ME 163 - nice little plane on first inspection, but it is little. Came with a broken wheel - which,after some correspondence, they sent a replacement a couple months later. But, it was the wrong one . My wife was dusting and picked it up last week, the little wheel trolly fell off and landed on the carpet after falling about 4 feet - result, another broken wheel . While playing with the wheel to glue it, I noticed one of the stickers is coming off . To me, not worth $350. Probably the first and last I'll buy. Maybe I just got unlucky and others had a better expeience???

No, my trolley fell off the kitchen counter and is now in pieces...haven't bothered to repair it.

Disappointed in the lack of the armor glass plate in cockpit and the little rear window is coming apart. Cute little plane otherwise.

DH

P47faninchicago · Post by **P47faninchicago** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:26 pm

I bought the Me-163. Haven't had any problems with it. However, mine took 12 weeks to arrive. Kind of kills the whole impulse buying thing when you have to wait 3 months from when you order to when you actually get it. Lots of time to second guess your decision. That was a while back, however. Perhaps the production schedule has improved.

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:44 pm

mkxiv wrote:
IIRC, the Skyworks 190A is just a modified Dora with a new cowl. The problem being that the Dora's tail section was lengthened, so to make a true A version, one would have to remove the spacer in front of the tail. I don't think Skyworks makes this modification.
If you compare the 21st D to the Skyworks A's you will noticed that the rear fuselage spacer has been removed. Of coarse the front cowling has also been replaced but also the landing gear, prop, Rudder, Vertical and horizontal stabs have been replaced or modified to represent the A model. If you look at the picture below you can see the changes. Some of the cheaper Skyworks Fw-190s do not include all these mods but all have had the rear fuselage spacer removed.

Nice to know Skyworks has made the effort make a correct A model. The one I saw was one of the first produced and did have the spacer. I hadn't seen any since then.

flugewerke · Post by **flugewerke** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:31 am

It looks like none of the previous post answer question what you think about skyworks Fw190 to put things in a perspective,none of the post comes from guy who actually own one,so since I own four Fw 190 a I tough I share my point of view I have over 200 1/18 aircraft models ,some of them repaints from different manufactures /hobbyist I also own most of what skyworks has to offer .If you ask me to give up all of my models except 10, four of skyworks 190a will be in that group, this are by far best models with attention to detail,correct paint ,perfect shape ,you cant find seam where two parts of fuselage where joint just absolutely perfect craftsmanship,on the down side where I believe that paint work is a first class you can see difference between texture of the paint and decals also Jack should included antennas ,and pilots.As far as gentleman not knowing about back fuselage fillet in a D model this part is removed and modified so is a longer vertical stab and ruder looking at the model there is no obvious sign of that modification ,I also agree with gentleman who states that it is not a toy to play with but model which should be enjoy as a static display.I hope I was helpful and if you have money to spend and like German planes get Fw it will bring you more enjoyment than any other ,thrust me you wont stop looking at it

NWarty · Post by **NWarty** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:50 am

Flugewerke,
Thank you very much for the reply and insight.

Hands down, the Focke-Wulf FW190A4-8 is my favorite aircraft of WWII. I have a Squadron Signal "In Action" series book from 1985 with me to this day in my desk and spent hours as a child drawing FW's from R. Watanabe's "The Great Book of WWII Planes". When I saw the full size FW190 fly a couple of years ago, I was absolutely stunned.

As I thought, the exterior of the aircraft looks flawless; right down to the paint.

I guess for me, it really comes down to "value". When I see a $500 dollar static model, I expect correct aerials, to include the one running from the rudder into the canopy (even if it doesn't retract like the real thing), I expect a detailed cockpit. I also expect a detailed pilot, A removable cowl with detailed engine.

It's really a shame the only FW A models exist in 1/32, I consider 21c's pretty darned good for the price.

Maybe in a couple of years, Skyworks can add this type of detail, but for right now the money spent doesn't equal the "value" to me at least. To each his own.

Your mileage may very.

~ Blake