[Cruver Collecter]

Finally have a chance to compare a Corgi and Dragon model of the same aircraft. Model I am referring to is the Fw 190A-4 of Oberleutnant Horst Hannig. What I first looked at was how the companies varied in their molds as far as the Fw 190A-4 goes. Corgi with their two different rudder variations really seems to open the door to cover Fw 190 A-2 thru early A-4 four gun versions (If you don't get overly picky). They definitely seemed to have designed molds to give nice cross section of earlier Fw 190s. Dragon on the other hand has pretty much limited themselves to a smaller field of possibilities. Their mold seems like it would best support the Fw 190A-5 light armament version, Fw 190 A-5/U15 (But only if they make the glide bomb for it to carry), Fw 190 A-7 light armament version, Fw 190A-8 light armament version and the Fw 190 A-8/ Jabo fighter bomber. They really appear to limit themselves when going with only inboard wing armament and also have minor glitch with regards to engine cooling outlet slits (Their configuration looks to be more for A-2 thru A-4). I broke down aircraft in sections to do comparison of how I felt they measured up and the following are my observations:
Engine and cowling detail: Have to give Corgi the top honors in this category, because of just slightly better engine detail. Corgi has the engine cooling fan where as Dragon left out this feature.
Fuselage: Have to go with Corgi because they at least are more accurate in depicting Fw 190A-4 fuselage detail.
Wings: Yep Corgi again in that they depict armament for A-4 version. I do like that Dragon added navigation lights on wing tips.
Tail assembly: This one will actually have to go with Dragon in that at least the rudder is what the A-4 should be while Corgi for some reason went with an earlier A-2 or A-3 look.
Landing gear: I have a split decision on this one. Corgi really did a nice job with landing gear wells to include gun barrel detail through wells (But not sure where they go that green color from?) Dragon came through with some really nicely detailed landing gear. Better detail was given to the oleos and the retraction arm.
Paint scheme: Only have one good picture of this aircraft and it comes out of Squadron Publications Fw 190 in action series. Corgi looks to have the sharp looking eagle design down a bit better but both companies seemed to be slightly off on positioning and shape of the black 1 (Now that is getting real picky). Corgi may have over feathered the demarcation between the upper camouflage and the side color, picture I have shows slightly sharper contrast. As far as color accuracy goes, well reference material I have is a bit on the conflicting side and only a black&white photo, so not sure which is more accurate. Corgi does appear to have better representation of the RLM04 Yellow look.
In my most humble opinion I have to give the edge to Corgi as far a general comparison goes, but still quite fond of the Dragon 190s. One thing I really do have to praise Dragon on is all the attention to detail in regards to miscellaneous stencils on their models. The oleo compression stencil on the landing gear is really nice bit of detailing. All in all I like the Fw 190s both these companies put out, with understanding that Corgi might be just a little bit more accurate as far as detailing goes. At least with both companies I have a nice little selection of fourteen Fw 190s (Nothing compared to the monster collections I have seen on this site though).

[smartd]

So in the photo, the Corgi is at the bottom, right?

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by smartd

So in the photo, the Corgi is at the bottom, right?

You are correct on this and probably should have labeled them.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

You are correct on this and probably should have labeled them.

Not to worry, I did a Shelock Holmes and followed the clues.

[Louie]

Corgi's pilot is unmistakeable.

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Louie

Corgi's pilot is unmistakeable.

The fact there was one did it for me! Nice analysis, CC.

[Merritec]

Did the Dragon have the swazi on the tail, or was it added? Should be a bid determination for paint scheme accuracy.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Merritec

Did the Dragon have the swazi on the tail, or was it added? Should be a bid determination for paint scheme accuracy.

Yep, this Dragon had it's politically correct status revoked. If you take into account the numerous stencil markings that are on the Dragon that are not found on the Corgi, it seems to pretty much balance out for not having the swazi.

[Merritec]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Yep, this Dragon had it's politically correct status revoked. If you take into account the numerous stencil markings that are on the Dragon that are not found on the Corgi, it seems to pretty much balance out for not having the swazi.

See for me that is a tough one. That is like having one wheel and than saying that the wings are so detailed that it makes up for it. I have several Dragon Me 109's, and they all sit at the back of the shelf so the missing tail marking aren't noticed.

[Cruver Collecter]

After last post I decided to count up the stencils on the Dragon. Stencils range from oleo compression on landing gear to octane indicators and totalled up to 24 separate information stencils or markings on the model. None of these extra detail markings are found on the Corgi model. Dragon may have missed the decal on the rudder, but sure nailed a bunch more.