1:72 Unimax/FOV P-47D & FW-190A8

[tmanthegreat]

I recently picked up a FOV 1:72 P-47 and FW-190. I had not gotten these before, but I am quite impressed. The specific P-47 is the USAAF 56th FG, 61st FS, Gabby Gabreski (#85065) and the FW-190 is the model representing Josef Priller's aircraft, Black 13, from JG-26 Schlageter, France, 1944 (85066).




Credit for above photos: The Flying Mule

While I already had a 1:72 FW-190A8 from the Matchbox Collectibles line and a 1:72 P-47D razorback from the Corgi Aviation Archive, I am very much impressed with the Unimax/FOV offerings. Extensive use of diecast, plug-in-place parts for the landing gear, detailed cockpits, opening engines, and removable ordinance. The FW-190 comes with a bomb that can be placed on the centerline rack instead of the drop tank. Only gripes are the exposed screws on the underside of the P-47's fuselage and the fact that the FW-190s landing gear do not quite have the proper inward cant. But those are minor and considering that each plane was about $24, not too shabby on the price all things considered. I've been collecting the FOV 1:72 planes since they came out and I've long been a fan of their attempt to put more functionality into the small models, something not really done with most other manufacturers.

Anyone else have these? Other opinions?

[jkinzel]

: Where are the pilots?Where's the Swastika?No Pilot No Buy,LOL.

[aferguson]

i generally don't look at FOV unless i have to, ie unless they are the only game in town like with the b-25 and b-26 as many of their models i don't like. They are like Witty or Falcon in my mind; guilty until proven innocent.....but i'll now take a closer look at these ones.

[dragon53]

The FOV FW-190 is Priller's FW-190 that he flew in the famous D-Day strafing scene from THE LONGEST DAY. The FOV FW-190 has a pilot, but he's barely visible in the photo because of the canopy frame.

I have the Hobby Master 1/48 Priller FW-190 which includes the swastika---but it was discontinued a long time ago, so if you want Priller's FW-190 from THE LONGEST DAY, the FOV is the one.

[jkinzel]

The FOV FW-190 has a pilot, but he's barely visible in the photo because of the canopy frame.

OK I see the little SOB now,he's really hunkered down in there isn't he?!

[tmanthegreat]

I understand the criticism due to lack of historically correct markings on the FW-190, but really, for the price point they are not bad models at all. OK, not quite like Corgi or Dragon, but still nice. I like how the opening engine feature hides well.

[aferguson]

on a side note. my Easy Model Me 163 Komets arrived today. They're pretty nice little models, especially for the price ($12 each). My only gripe is they don't have the clear armored glass in the front of the cockpit and based on my experience, it will be impossible to get the canopy off without breaking it, to add it. Too bad because it's an important little detail. Otherwise they're great.

[tmanthegreat]

I'm not a fan of many of the Easy Model planes for the most part, but I do have their ME-163 and agree its a nice model. I really like it. They also did a good job with the HE-163 Salamandar model.