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In-Box Review
Video Review included
172
1/72 Aoshima Ta-152H-1
1/72 Aoshima Focke-Wulf Ta-152H-1 High-altitude fighter
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by: Sven Harjacek [ SHARJACEK ]

History

The Ta-152 H-1 was a late WWII Fighter. The H version, H for Höhenjäger/High Fighter, in particular was designed specifically to peform as a high-altitude fighter. It entered service in early 1945 with only ~43 being delivered before war's end, as a result this type had no significant impact on the war.

What's in the box?

This Aoshima kit comes in a nice glossy box, featuring the boxart and little history blurb on the side. When you open the box you are presented with two bags. One contains the clear parts sprue and the decal sheet, the other contains all other sprues.

The Instructions are printed on two A4 papers in a booklet style, marking options are on the first side. The decals supplied will make more than two schemes. There are options for at least 8 aircraft judging by the decal sheet.

Quality

The plastic looks very nice and is totally smooth and crisp. Panel lines are recessed and consistent, rivets are engraved on the wing roots and underside. They appear to be in scale, not too deep or shallow.

The sprue with clear parts includes the canopy in two versions, you can either show it closed or open. They are thick and quite dull but very clear. It would be advisable to dip them in future/kleer or get a replacement vacuform canopy.

The Kit

The A,B and D sprues contain bigger parts such as the fuselage halves, wings and engine cowl. Nothing special to mention here apart from the guns and exhausts that need to be drilled out for a more realistic look. The C sprue contains all the smaller pieces, cockpit parts, wheel gear, propeller, drop tank and other small details. Everything is crisp apart from some minor flash on the propeller and a couple of visible pin marks on the wheels and instrument panel. Apart from some minor things that can be easily improved, this kit looks stunning.

So here's a list of things I would improve:

  • Polish and dip the canopy in gloss varnish ( or get a vacuform one)
  • Sand and fill the ejector pin marks on the tires and instrument panel
  • Drill holes in guns and exhaust
  • Detail the cockpit (Seatbelts and side panels) ,

If you really want to improve it you can get a PE set or an aftermarket cockpit set

That's all I noted from looking at the kit, there may be some other issues during the building but I can't list these now as I haven't started the kit.


Conclusions

In the end, this is a superb kit which will look like a gem after some minor improvements and changes.

References

Focke-Wulf Ta 152 by Malcom Lowe
4 Publications
ISBN 978-80-86637-07-5

Focke-Wulf Ta 152: The Story of the Luftwaffe's Late-War High-Altitude Fighter by Dieter Harmann
Schiffer Publishing
ISBN 0-7643-0860-2

Monogram Close-Up 24: Focke Wulf Ta 152 by Jeffrey L. Ethell
Monogram
ISBN 978-0-914144-24-3


The Focke-Wulf Ta 152 by Thomas H. Hitchcock
Eagle Editions
ISBN 978-0-914144-53-3

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: - Crisp and flash free plastic - Decals - Engraved and consistent panel lines
Lows: - Some minor pin marks
Verdict: A nice kit which could use some small improvements
Percentage Rating
85%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: 016770
  Suggested Retail: $14 (USD)
  PUBLISHED: May 02, 2013
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.78%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 86.08%

Our Thanks to Dragon USA!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Sven Harjacek (SHarjacek)
FROM: CROATIA HRVATSKA

Copyright ©2021 text by Sven Harjacek [ SHARJACEK ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

Nice to see a review of this one, thanks! Magnus
MAY 02, 2013 - 08:39 PM
Aoshima looks like they made a fine looking basic kit. Good exterior detail. A shame about the cockpit flaws although it will probably not be visible when buttoned up. The exhaust stacks are out of date by about 20 years. Still looks like it'll be a nice model.
MAY 05, 2013 - 05:35 AM
Thanks Guys, I managed to get Armory Cockpit update set and Rob Taurus replacement canopy. After I finish my mustang and tracker Ta-152 will be built. Kind regards, Sven.
MAY 05, 2013 - 05:42 AM
I've got this kit too, I may be doing a build review later in the summer. Things are a bit hectic right now, but when things calm down some might like to see a review of this kit built! Thanks Sven for wetting all our appetites. Russell
MAY 08, 2013 - 09:03 AM
   
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