{"product_id":"icm-1-72-fw-189c-v-6-german-attack-aircraft-plastic-model-kit","title":"ICM 1\/72 Fw 189C\/V-6 German Attack Aircraft Plastic Model Kit","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFw 189C\/V-6\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGerman attack aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the spring of 1937, based on the experience of the Spanish Civil War, the German Technical Department developed requirements for an attack aircraft. For the direct support of troops on the battlefield and the breakthrough of deeply echeloned enemy defenses, a twin-engine aircraft with small dimensions, reliable armor protection, and powerful armament was necessary. Projects from four companies were considered on a competitive basis, including Focke-Wulf. Within the competition, specialists from this company converted their Fw 189V-1 with two Argus As 410 engines into a two-seat attack aircraft. The main part of the conversion involved replacing the central gondola with an armored cabin housing the pilot and gunner. Several variants were produced, and the third aircraft in the experimental series, the Fw 189V-6, became the Fw 189C attack aircraft. It was equipped with more powerful engines, and its armament included 2 MG-FF 20mm cannons and 4 MG17 machine guns, while the defensive armament consisted of MG81 machine guns. The aircraft underwent testing in Rechlin in the fall of 1940, but despite good results, it did not go into production. The primary attack aircraft of the Luftwaffe a bit later became the single-engine Hs 129A.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Focke-Wulf Fw 189 was primarily known as a twin-engine reconnaissance and observation aircraft used by the German Luftwaffe during World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eHowever, there were several variants and prototypes developed for different roles, including the Fw 189C\/V-6, which was designed as an attack aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eDevelopment and Design The Focke-Wulf Fw 189 was designed by Kurt Tank and first flew in 1938.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe original Fw 189 was a highly effective reconnaissance aircraft, characterized by its distinctive twin-boom design and excellent visibility provided by its extensively glazed cockpit.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eRecognizing the versatility of the Fw 189 platform, Focke-Wulf engineers developed several variants, including the Fw 189C series, intended for ground attack roles.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe Fw 189C\/V-6 was a prototype attack aircraft built to test and evaluate the concept.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eKey features of the Fw 189C\/V-6 included: Armament: The aircraft was equipped with forward-firing 20mm MG FF\/M cannons mounted in the wing roots.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eIt also had provisions for carrying bombs or rockets for ground attack missions.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eDefensive armament included rearward-firing machine guns to protect against enemy fighters.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eArmor: To enhance survivability during low-level attacks, the Fw 189C\/V-6 featured additional armor plating to protect the cockpit and engine nacelles.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe crew compartment was also reinforced to withstand small arms fire and shrapnel.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eEngines: Powered by two Argus As 410A-1 engines, which were reliable and provided sufficient power for the aircraft's intended role.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe engines were mounted in streamlined nacelles to reduce drag and improve performance.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eCockpit and Visibility: The cockpit maintained the Fw 189's characteristic extensive glazing, offering excellent visibility for the pilot and crew.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThis was crucial for reconnaissance and targeting during ground attack missions.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eOperational Role and Evaluation The Fw 189C\/V-6 was primarily intended to perform close air support and ground attack missions, roles that required precision and the ability to withstand enemy fire.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eHowever, several challenges emerged during its evaluation: Performance: While the Fw 189C\/V-6 had good visibility and stability, its overall performance was not significantly better than existing attack aircraft like the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe relatively low speed and limited bomb load capacity restricted its effectiveness as a dedicated attack aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eVersatility: The original Fw 189 design was optimized for reconnaissance rather than attack missions.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eAdapting the airframe for a different role introduced compromises that affected its overall capability.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eOperational Use: Despite its innovative design, the Fw 189C\/V-6 did not enter mass production.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe Luftwaffe ultimately favored more specialized and proven ground attack aircraft, such as the Stuka, for close support roles.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eLegacy The Fw 189C\/V-6 serves as an example of the German military's efforts to adapt existing aircraft for multiple roles during World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eWhile it did not achieve w\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eKey Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:72\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFull Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003ctable\u003e   \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlastic Kits\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAir\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e   \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePLASTIC MODELS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePLANES\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e   \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSKU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eICM72290\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e   \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eICM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e   \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEAN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4823044410248\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e   \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShort Description\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eICM 1\/72 Focke-Wulf Fw-189C\/V-6, German Attack Aircraft # 72290\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"ICM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48489356296413,"sku":"ICM72290","price":52.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0504\/0708\/0110\/files\/ICM72290.jpg?v=1788364979","url":"https:\/\/ultimatehobbies.com.au\/products\/icm-1-72-fw-189c-v-6-german-attack-aircraft-plastic-model-kit","provider":"Ultimate Hobbies Site","version":"1.0","type":"link"}