Contact-Résine 1/48
Focke Wulf Fw 200 Condor Engine Set

Trumpeter has been turning out some interesting models in scales that we'd only dreamed we might see in our lifetimes. One such project was their 1/48 scale Focke Wulf Fw 200C-4 Condor kit, which is an impressively huge model. As with any kit release, sometimes details are compromised it order to get a kit into production, and to my knowledge, nobody has produced the perfect kit (though Tamiya really came close with the 1/32 Zero!). In the case of the Fw 200, the kit has two problems. One is the lack of a mainspar to reinforce the weight of the plastic wings after assembly. The other is their unique representation of the BMW engines.

Contact-Résine to the rescue. They've produced a replacement set of BMW Bramo engines which have much nicer detail when viewed from the front or from behind.

The set starts with four engine cores. To these you add nine cylinder heads per core. Once you have the engine assembled and the cylinder heads properly aligned, the set also includes some finely cast exhaust stacks that attach to the rear of the cylinder head and tap into the collector ring at the rear of the engine core.

The set comes with 40 cylinder heads and 50 exhaust stacks, so there are plenty of spares in case something goes wrong. You can see in the image to the right that some of the exhaust stacks didn't make the trip here, but there are plenty left for the job.

This is an excellent addition to either 1/48 Fw 200 kit and will provide some stunning detail for the insides of those four cowlings where everyone will look. This set is definitely recommended!

You can purchase this set online from Design & Marketing International.

My sincere thanks to Design & Marketing International for this review sample!