Huma 1/72 Focke-Achgelis Fa 223

HUMA 1:72 FOCKE-ACHGELIS FA 223 "DRACHE"
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Carlos Giani (carlos_giani2002@yahoo.de)

Kit: Huma 1/72^nd scale Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 (Kit N° 5000 ). Produced in Germany

Aircraft: From 1937, Professor Focke´s futuristic design Fa 61 found world-wide acclaim for its successful operation. Encouraged by this success, Prof. Focke started development work on a new design, the Fa 223 multi-purpose helicopter. Its design was mainly based on the Fa 61.

The two non-overlapping three-blade rotors were mounted on steel outriggers attached to the side of the fuselage. The rotors were driven by a central-mounted 1000HP Bramo radial engine via remote drive shafts. After 80 hours of ground testing, on March 8, 1940, Dipl. Ing. Bode succeeded in making two short flights. A number of problems were encountered which required another three months of development (i.e., the rotors were out of phase). Four more test flights were made between June 12 and June 18, the last one up to a height of 300m. Soon the new helicopter won the interest of the Army and the Navy, because the new model was intended to be used for cargo carrying (up to 1200 kg), reconnaissance, rescue services, for anti-submarine missions and for pilot training (with dual controls).

Production facilities were installed, and delivery should be rated at 200 per month, but despite three location removals of the production plant, only the prototypes V11 to V17 (plus unit „51 GP+WA“) could be completed, due to permanent heavy allied bombing. At the end of the war, all helicopters under construction were destroyed or captured by the Soviets. The prototype V14 was send to France and later to England (the first helicopter channel-cross), and „51 GP+WA“ was taken by the U.S. Forces. The mentioned units do had operational work, in rescue missions and supporting mountain infantry units. Post-war production was 2 units completed in Czechoslovakia and some units of a French improved version designated SE 3000.

The Fa 223 cargo and the Fl 282 reconnaissance helicopters can rightly claim to have been the first successful operational helicopters built in a series.

Parts: In one plastic bag you get two sprues containing 50 light-grey parts, one soft-plastic tiny sprue with around 30 very small and thin parts (nearly etched-plate dimensions!), one sprue with 5 clear, very transparent parts, decal sheet, and instructions. The sprues are flash-free and despite of the mold seams, everything is crisp molded and with good surface quality. Panel lines are finely engraved and well-defined and the attachment points are not exaggerated. All in all, it doesn't looks like short-run parts!

The two-halves fuselage is split vertically, and you get a complete cockpit with floor, bulkheads, control stick, separate pedals, seat-carrying framing, instrument panels (with decals), additional framing and seat. It's good luck, since you will see a lot through the all-glazed front canopy (despite it's heavy framing). The tailplane is one-piece, and the rudder is molded separate.

Each rotor consists of nine parts, thanks to the well-detailed hub (including separate control arms); the attachment of the blades looks to be strong enough after gluing. Each rotor is mounted on a shaft trapped between the two halves of the gear box, the lower half being molded integrated to the main rig. Careful work will allow the rotors to turn. The rotor rigs consist of 8 parts each, including shaft and landing gear strut, and will sure be rigid enough as a whole structure, despite of the small diameter of some components. This part of the kit's assembly will sure be very fiddly, but there a well-defined locating holes and pins.

A tricycle landing gear (that means some weight has to be placed under the cockpit's floor and behind the rear bulkhead), some aerials, exhaust pipe and the external tank / load underslung option completes the whole thing.

Instructions: Two A3-sheets folded to an 8-pages A4-booklet. Pages one and eight presents an extensive history / technical data review in German, French and English, the same being found on top of page three in Japanese (!). Pages two and seven shows the subject in real-scale, four-view coloured diagrams, which will help a lot in positioning the rigs. Pages three through six shows the construction in some 7 steps, this being clear enough for a modeller with some experience. Nevertheless, a bit of dry fitting of the rigs will sure not damage.

Versions: The instructions show one version in whole grey RLM02, designed „DM+SP“, and a second version in green RLM71 over blue RLM655, designed „DM+SO“.

Decals: One sheet containing the basics, not too thick and with very transparent carrier film. Unit markings are for 6 examples, DM+SO through DM+ST, the crosses being white or black (with white outline) according to the underlaying color. Nicely, there are also two French roundels, two British banners and two USA stars supplied, for the case you build a captured prototype.

Detail: As stated above, throughout well done and crisp molded.

Options: According to the external fit of a fuel tank or an cargo carrying underslung (or none of both) you can build at least three versions. Rotors can rotate

Impressions: Well, compared to the Henschel Hs 132 I reviewed recently, this kit is a tremendous improvement. Apart from the unknown fit performance, quality is of mainstream level (or above what detail concerns). It's that kind of kits that makes you feel prickle in your fingers!

Recommendations: Warmly recommended for those who like historic subjects, for those who like detailing, and for those who just like a good challenge. Absolutely not recommended for beginners, due to the extremely fine parts on the detailing-sprue.

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