FROG Heinkel He111

NEW AND IN VIEW

Although we had no information other than that generally released to the public on new items from Frog, our local stockist has recently received supplies of their latest releases, the Heinkel 111 H1/H6 and Chance Vought Corsair F4U-1D.

We purchased one of each to see what was what and the result is rather mixed feelings.

The Heinkel suffers from some of the same production errors. Considering the wealth of very accurate and comprehensive detail available on this aircraft it should be absolutely spot on to make it worth best part of a Pound. It checks out quite well on scale and shape apart from wing tips and tail which are slightly too round and can be reshaped easily. Surface detail is good but once again much is lost filling bad gaps in the wing root fit and engine nacelles. Fuselage halves need some fitting and the odd insert to the fuselage to enable the alternative H6 version to be made is a poor fit. The transparencies could be much thinner and clearer and the windows for the gondola are merely blobs of clear plastic which sit in a hole. The port lower wing need packing towards the tip or it sinks below the edge of the aileron, and though the trailing edges of the wings are much thinner, the effort has been too much for the production method and there is considerable mould sink on these surfaces.

The undercarriage is fragile and much too long, even if it is intended to represent the aircraft in flight with undercarriage lowered and it is not easy to reduce to correct length, due to the rather complex structure - this is a rather bad fault which needs attention. Cockpit detail is inadequate, but fair as far as it goes. Decals are good quality but the swastika off register. Box art acceptable and attractive but greens depicted too light.

The IPMS magazine, JUNE 1972. Vol. 9 No. 6

Model Enthusiast
A pair of "standards" from Frog

One of the more remarkable aspects of the modelling scene is the fact that, despite the proliferation of kits of World War II's "standards", some of the true immortals of that conflict are still represented by only one kit, or by kits that are so inaccurate that they are simply not worth purchasing. One such aircraft is perhaps best known of all the Luftwaffe's wartime bombers, the shapely Heinkel He 111. There has been only one good kit of this aircraft on the market and this represents a late production variant and is therefore not truly representative of the notorious instrument of the Blitz in which most UK modellers are interested. Frog has now filled this gap, and happily its 1/72nd scale offering, which may be completed as an He 111H-1 bomber or He 111H-6 torpedo-bomber, is, if not faultless, a very good one.

It is both accurate in outline and finely detailed, but it falls down in respect of component fit. Filling is necessary around the wing root and engine nacelle joints, while some of the fuselage transparencies are too small and do not fill the apertures completely. On the other hand, the He 111's characteristic, enormous and oddly-shaped nose transparency is handled very well indeed, and reveals plenty of good cockpit detail. The decals provide markings for an He 111H-1 of the Gruppenstab of II/KG 55 and for an He 111H-6 of II/KG 26, and as is usual with Frog kits, these are excellent in quality. The same may be said for the colour scheme drawings on the box. A good kit of a most important aeroplane, at 78p in the UK it is well worth the money.

Frog's other "standard" is a 1/72nd scale kit of the F4U Corsair which makes up into a really good, accurate, and finely-detailed model which is easy to assemble providing some care is taken with the wing root joint. Decals are provided for a Corsair IV of No 1842 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, and for an F4U-1D of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the usual excellent colour scheme drawing is provided. It is certainly good value at its UK price of 21p, and our only reservation is engendered by doubts concerning a sizeable market for a 1/72nd kit of this aircraft, as most modellers who want to include this war-plane in their collections will surely have already made it. After all, there have been so many kits of the Corsair available for so long.

Air Enthusiast 1972-08 Vol3 No2

Modelling world
New Frog kits

A VERY happy event for modellers has recently taken place with the first releases of new kits from Frog after its troubles. Although I have harshly criticised certain aspects of individual Frog kits, as well as given praise where due, I for one would have been extremely sorry if the name of Frog had disappeared from the shelves of our model shops. Frog was the pioneer of the plastic kit, with its far-sighted pre-war Penguin series, and its demise would have been a tragedy. Frog has always deserved praise for its choice of kit subjects, which in the past have included many interesting, if possibly less-popular subjects instead of concentrating only on "dead-cert" commercial lines. These have included such kits as the Wyvern, Tupolev SB-2, Vimy, Vampire FB5, Southern Cross (Fokker FVII-3m), Ta-152, etc, which were not likely to have been produced by the majority of manufacturers. Frog has shown commendable courage in some of its kit subjects and I hope that modellers will give it the support it deserves. On the other side of the coin I hope that Frog will continue to produce kits of the more unusual aviation subjects as well as the more commercial types, and ensure the accuracy and moulding quality of its kits.

The first of the new Frog kits is a Heinkel He111H-1 or H-6. These marks of the famous German bomber were much used. The H-1 was a standard bomber variant and the H-6 a torpedo-bomber version familiar to Allied convoys. These versions both had the characteristic, long, glazed upper gunner's windshield which was so much a hallmark of the Heinkel. I never could understand why Airfix chose the H-20 version for its kit, which was not so widely used and featured a powered mid-upper turret in place of the original, unless it was considered that the rotating turret would appeal more to the schoolboy market.

Frog's Heinkel is generally accurate, although certain corrections are necessary. The shape of the fin, rudder and tailplane require attention. The fin and rudder are too rounded, and need to be more pointed. The tailplane has a somewhat kinked appearance on the leading edges and needs smoothing out. This latter looks like a tooling error, but both this and the former are easily corrected. The wings are beautifully contoured, with the characteristically deep wing root sections and convincingly thin wing tips. The fuselage is slightly slimmer than in the Airfix interpretation and it is difficult to say which is correct in depth without knowing the dimensions, but the Frog model looks in proportion in relation to the various components. The engine nacelles look accurate in shape except for the radiators, which are too deep—the latter components could also have been improved with some internal detail, instead of having a large tunnel straight through. The worst features of this kit are the undercarriage units, which are too long and stilty. It is good to see delicate moulding, but in this case the legs and stays are too flimsy and do not give the appearance of being able to take the weight of a fully-bombed-up Heinkel. I modified my Frog Heinkel by adapting the main undercarriage leg units from an Airfix Dornier Do217 kit, which are .about the right length and more substantial, by marrying them to the existing rear stays in the Frog kit after suitably cutting down these latter items.

I also think that the front gunner's "bubble" gun position is a little small in diameter, and this was replaced by a B-29 barbette sighting blister, which is slightly larger.

Cockpit detail is excellent and the very clear extensive glazing gives ample scope for the modeller who wants to add to the internal equipment.

Parts provided in the kit give alternatives for the standard bomber or torpedo bomber. For the latter, special carriers and two torpedoes are included. The special rear gun installation fitted in the extreme rear fuselage of the H-6 is also provided as an alternative.

Transfers supplied are for two versions, a standard Battle of Britain H-1 based at Villacoublay, near Paris, during the summer of 1940 and operated by II Gruppe/ KG55, and an H-6 torpedo bomber of 5 Staffel/W Gruppe/KG26 "Lowen" operating in the Mediterranean area during 1942. With the corrections and alterations carried out, Frog's Heinkel He111 makes up into a fine model and is, I think, the best yet of this famous aircraft. It is bound to prove very popular with modellers. Cost of the kit is 78p.

AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED 1972-08

KITS AMD MODELS
Frog: 1:72 scale He 111 and Corsair

AS we close for press we've received— but not assembled—two new Frog releases, a Heinkel He 111- H1, with optional markings and armament for the H6, and a Corsair F4U-ID. The He 111 differs from the Airfix version and depicts a Battle of Britain machine in its HI form. It looks fine on a 'dry run' and the parts fit well together. The Corsair, at first sight, duplicates the other Corsairs available but this one wins by being really flush and smooth, just like the real thing, rather than peppered with rivets. It comes with imaginative markings too, for the RNZAF. or 1842 Sqn FAA in 1945. This appears to be a very accurate model. The He 111 costs 80p plus 15p postage, and the Corsair is 21 p plus 5p postage. Jones Bros of Chiswick hold stocks and sent our samples.
C.O.E.

Airfix magazine 1972-06 Vol.13 No.10

KIT COMMENT
TWO POPULAR LUFTWAFFE AIRCRAFT MODELLED BY FROG
MESSERSCHMITT Me 262 AND HEINKEL He 111 RELEASED

Models of Luftwaffe aircraft are always popular particularly in the United States. Sales of Bf 109s are double anything else released by kit manufacturers and other well known types such as the Fw 190 come a close second. Two models on the periphery of popularity are the He 111 and Me 262, one because it was the best-known German medium bomber and the other as it was the first operational jet fighter in the world. Frog have long wanted to expand their range to include more Luftwaffe aircraft and now with the release of these two new models have provided us with kits that are a little more accurate than their contemporaries but could still do with some improvement.

The Airfix Me 262 was produced about ten years ago and has long needed something of greater accuracy to replace it. The later Revell model was much better but lacked some refinements, particularly regarding the cockpit canopy and internal detail.

The Frog offering provides this this but although a high standard in outline accuracy has been achieved the mouldings and fit of several components leave something to be desired.

Viewed from above there appears to be no problem but if the kit is stuck together without adding body putty the undersides of the wings and engine nacelles are not so good. Any discerning model maker will overcome the badly fitting parts in a few minutes by adding filler but the fact remains that more attention should have been given to these components.

Apart from this criticism there is little to fault the model. It has, in the main, been delicately treated as far as panel lines go, the cockpit canopy is excellent and the nose and tail cones in the jets have been added satisfactorily. There's no detail in the cockpit apart from a pilot's seat but at least the armoured head rest has been provided so that externally, the model looks complete.

The Me 262 undercarriage is a good one. The angle of the main legs has been achieved correctly so has the thickness and weight of the main wheels. We cut off the bulbous ends to the undercarriage legs over which the wheels are supposed to clip as these do not help in the final appearance of the model. The two bombs provided in the kit looked rather poor at first glance and were replaced by spares taken from another model.

As usual Frog's decal sheet is first rate. Two aircraft are featured, the first being an Me 262A-la belonging to III/JG7 when based at Kaltenkir-chen/Holstein in February 1945 and the other an Me 262A -2a of 1/KG51 operating from Achmer in the same period. The box art is good, the instruction sheet easy to understand. In fact the whole constructional work in this kit was a simple task and places the model amongst the few which can be recommended for the beginner to plastic aircraft kit modelling.

Should the beginner want to make the model he should take one word of warning in that a large amount of added weight is needed in the nose to keep the model on its undercarriage. The whole forward part of the model needs filling with lead and plasticine. Alternatively Frog have provided parts so that the undercarriage can be placed in the 'up* position.

AWKWARD UNDERCARRIAGE

Modellers can produce either a Heinkel He 111 H-1 or the H-6 model from the larger of the two recent Frog releases. Whereas the Me 262 was simple to construct, the bomber is a little more difficult. It too has its problems as far as accuracy goes, particularly in the undercarriage, fin and rudder and front gunner's cupola.

It is pleasing to note that Frog have provided us with the more popular of the He 111 series. The Airfix model is of the H-20 sporting a dorsal turret and very difficult to convert into the version having the long canopy with the upper gunner's position partially exposed. At least we can be happy in that both companies have different variants ©n the market and it seems to us that a little cross kitting would not go amiss.

Although generally accurate in outline, the shape of the He Ill's fin and rudder appears to be too rounded. A study of available photographs indicates that this component was more pointed than that supplied in the kit and at the same time is possibly too shallow in height. Although difficult to correct, this feature is completely overshadowed by the obviously inaccurate undercarriage. It seems that original plans must have been consulted of the aircraft in the air as the oleo legs are extended in such a way that the aircraft is a full quarter inch higher off the ground than it should be.

We made up our sample using the undercarriage provided in the kit but there seems to be no reason why the legs from the Airfix model could not be substituted given time and patience to get them to fit correctly.

The detail in the cockpit is excellent. This is lacking in the Airfix model and because of the amount of glazing much can be seen from outside. Frog have provided all we need here but again one of the components needs a certain amount of modification. This is the nose gun position. Being too small and slightly too rounded it is difficult to modify but looking through the spares box the idea of using a B-29 side cupola comes to mind as a suitable alternative.

Two versions of the He 111 are provided in the Frog model. The most attractive to the modeller is possibly the H-6 which was used as an anti-shipping torpedo bomber in both the Mediterranean and against the Arctic convoys. Parts are provided for this or an aircraft of the well-known H-1 variant used by most Staffeln during the Battle of Britain period. For the latter the decal sheet features an aircraft operated by II Gruppe/KG55 based at Villacoublay in 1940 whilst the torpedo bomber is represented by markings for 5 Staffel/II Gruppe/KG26 'Lowen' which operated in the Mediterranean during 1942. Providing the model maker is prepared to spend some time in slightly changing the various inaccurate parts on this He 111 there is no reason why he should not end up with a really first class model. It is true that the Frog offering is slightly less accurate in outline than the Airfix model but at least we can be pleased in the fact that it is now possible to make the H-1, H-6 and H-20 variants in 1:72nd scale.
Aviation News Vol 1 Num 7 18 - 31 August 1972

Letters to the editor
CORRECTING THE FROG HEINKEL He 111

Apart from some inaccuracies in the shape of the tail surfaces and an over-extended undercarriage, the recent Frog kit of the Heinkel He 111H to 1:72 scale can be made into a fair model of this famous WWII bomber. By attending to the latter error, a much more pleasing model will result.

Having assembled the wings and fuselage as per instructions, do not proceed with the fitting of the engine nacelles. Cement the landing gear in place according to the sketch. Part 16 represents the oleo struts which have to be slightly inclined to the rear. The next step is to stick part 18 with its upper end into the corners formed by the bottom of the wheel well and the oleos. Trim off the end of part 17 and cement it in place, remembering to position it correctly at the points indicated on the other two parts. The rear ends fit into the corners of the wheel well. With the mainwheels added, the Heinkel sits correctly.
Dipl.-Ing. Karl Kossler,
3301 Weddel, West Germany

Aviation News Vol 1 Num 11 13-26 October 1972

KIT COMMENT
DOUBLE HEINKEL

One of the most popular conversions by modellers of World War 2 German aircraft has been that of the He 111Z heavy glider tug. This marriage of two He 111 bomber fuselages with a fifth engine added is relatively simple, although the sanding of the extra wing aerofoil section from solid wood or plastic can be time-consuming. This problem has now been remedied by Airmodel kit No 149, which provides all the modeller needs for this weird aeronautical contraption.

Those new to conversions will also benefit by using a pair of Frog He 111s, which of course, provide the 'glasshouses' on top of the fuselage, which the earlier Airfix He 111H-20 does not.

The kit contains six parts, including two longitudinal strengthened for the wing section, an airscrew and an engine. Instructions are straightforward and the job requires only sticking the new parts together and cutting off the wings of the two Frog kits. The spares box could well come up with another Heinkel propellor and spinner, as the Airmodel offering needs the rear of the blades building up with body putty and is not as well moulded as the units on the Frog kit.

To round off this striking model, one could make an interesting diorama with perhaps, ground figures 'hooking on' a pair of Gotha Go 242 gliders, which are also obtainable in the Airmodel range.

Aviation News Vol 1 Num 14 24 November - 7 December 1972

NEW TO YOU?
New aircraft releases reviewed by 'SCALE MODELS9 staff, show new kits of popular subjects

TWO NEW FROG kits have been released by ROVEX/TRIANG, these are the F4U Corsair (W.W.2) and the Heinkel He.111 H-1 -H-6.

FROG's other new kit is a 1/72nd version of one of the Luftwaffe's most well-known bombers, the Heinkel He. 111.

The kit represents (according to the box top) both H-1 and H-6 variants. Actually, the kit will not portray an H-1 100 per cent due to the difference in the lower ventral gondola. Checking the kit with our drawings (Planpack 2926, price 50p from the editorial offices) several differences become obvious, the model nacelles and exhaust system differ and some outlines of wing and tail show discrepancies.

The somewhat tricky nose transparency has been moulded extremely well, in three parts. Joint is horizontal and with a separate nose bubble does away with any unsightly joins which are often tricky to remove from transparencies. As usual with FROG, surface detail is confined to lines as opposed to rivets, and this always looks much better. The model portrays the H-6 variant best, a choice of underbelly pans being provided, plus two torpedoes. Noticeable omissions are any form of grille in the intakes under the nacelles, which are easily corrected by a piece of plastic card with a layer of stocking to represent the mesh.

After studying our completed model one may be inclined to think the undercarriage legs are too long, they are not incorrect but have been moulded in the 'in flight' configuration. Why this has been done is a mystery, but it is easy to shorten them before cementing to engine nacelles. Detail parts are well moulded, cockpit detail is good, as are the various types of machine guns. Transparencies fit well and are very clear and crisp. FROG have provided the modeller with all the aerials usually associated with the type as well as- the rudder/fin horns.

Fit of wings to fuselage utilised a spar, but regrettably there were quite a few gaps left to be filled with putty, perhaps a one-piece lower half for the wings would have helped.

The excellent decal sheet is very good and naturally offers a choice of markings for both H-1 and H-6 versions including swastikas. Very good value for money is represented by this Heinkel at 81 p.

Scale Models No.36 1972 SEPTEMBER Vol.3. No.09

Revell

Ex Frog kits reissued. 1/72nd scale. Prices vary.

ALTHOUGH the Russian manufacturer Novo has re-issued many of the Frog kits, it has refused to touch models of anything connected with Germany, Italy or Japan. Happily this state of affairs has improved of late as Revell has released eleven of the old Frog kits under their banner. These include two kits that Frog never generally released to our knowledge, the Nakajima Zero RUFE floatplane and the Heinkel He115C-1 both quite good kits and to form the subject of larger reviews in a forthcoming issue.

The other kits will be more familiar to our readers and they are the Heinkel He162A-2, Focke Wulf Ta152H, Fiat G55, Messerschmitt Me Bf110G-4, Messerschmitt Me410 A-1/U-4, Arado Ar234 "Blitz", Heinkel He111 H-1 and Dornier Do17Z.

No attempt has been made at cleaning up the models as far as we can gather; decals - remain the same and the poor box art is also retained, which could have been improved upon. Gone too, lamentably, is the familiar Frog full colour painting guide but these are well laid out on the detailed instruction leaflets which are indeed an improvement on the originals.

Reviews of most of the reissued kits have already appeared in post issues of SM so we resist the temptation to reiterate. These modellers to whom the kits will be new may care to look up the following references. We reviewed the Ta152 in the February 1971 issue, the Do17Z in the October 1971 issue, the Me110 in the September 1971 issue, the Heinkel He111 in the September 1972 issue and the Do335 in the July 1975 issue. Current prices range from 40p for the He162, Ta152, Rufe and Fiat G55, 80p for the Me110G-4, Me410, and Do335 to £1.15 for the Ar234, He111, He115and Do17Z. Interesting to reflect that the He111 was 81p six years ago, so the enthusiast has little to grumble about.

Someday, someone will sit down and write the history of the Frog kit right from its inception, via Penguins and up to the seventies- and it will make fascinating reading ...
ED

Scale Models Vol. 9 No. 101 February 1978

AeroModeller April, 1957

Trade Notes

Plastic kit models continue to steal the bulk of most model shop turnover figures, and it is not surprising that our recent feature on plastic model improvements should have aroused great interest. Following last month's article on painting, ve have received a number of letters pointing out that matt black plastic paints are available and that there is no need to go hunting for photographic "dead" black. In particular, the Revell paint set, and Humbrol half-ounce tins include a most useful black in their respective ranges. Incidentally, the Republic F-84 Thunderstreak is soon to *hit the market in the Revell range, and we note that here is one model where the wheel well is already cut away in the lower wing surface for added realism (see photo, foot of centre column). This Revell kit will also lend itself to elaborate extra painting treatment, as the F-84F was the mount for the famous ' 'Thunderbird'' U.S.A.F. acrobatic team, carrying the same red, white and blue decor as the F-100 modelled by us and shown on page 128 last month.

German plastic kits by Faller of Gutenbach start their range with the Heinkel He.111 and Messerschmitt Me.109F, as seen above right. These kits have different assembly procedure and are to smaller scale (100th) than those on the British market: but in spite of their small-ness, they are the first to provide for motorisation. Motor for 3 to 6 volts A.C. is less than half the size of a cigarette! It enables the prop to spin realistically, at 1,000 revs per minute—comes with sufficient lead wire for remote displays, but does not, of course, provide enough urge for RTP flying. These are not available in the U.K.

AeroModeller 1957-04

NEWS FROM AIRFIX
The world's greatest value in construction kits
1:72 scale Heinkel 111

STACCATO engine noise drowned by the wail of sirens and the bark of antiaircraft guns used to herald the arrival over Britain of the Heinkel 111 H-20 medium bomber. However, the latest Heinkel, a constant scale model from Airfix, will receive a much better reception from the modelling fraternity.

The 79-part plastic construction kit made to 1/72 scale details the huge "glasshouse" at the nose of the aircraft and includes such details as two 2,000 lb. bombs, slung beneath the fuselage, and a retractable undercarriage. All gun turrets can be swung through their normal operational arcs. Both the recommended markings, which are supplied in transfer form, and the camouflage scheme, are associated with the German war effort on the Russian front where the aircraft saw action.

An exciting and rewarding kit to assemble the Heinkel 111 H-20 costs 6s. Itjis the 53rd aircraft kit in the Airfix 1/72 scale series of interesting aircraft.

Airfix magazine August 1962 Vol.3 No.3

MODEL TALK
CANOPY PROBLEMS SOLVED
New technique makes realistic "glasshouse " detail possible for all

Whether German aircrew felt like rare blooms or not during World War II I do not know. But what is certain is that many a Luftwaffe flyer must have cursed the hot-house qualities of the He 111. front cockpit on warm days.

Then along came the balsa-wood modellers. They, too, cursed the complex transparent geometry of the front end of this aircraft. And finally came the plastic model manufacturers who have also had their share of headaches in trying to mould this front canopy.

The latest firm to overcome these difficulties is Airfix whose very successful effort is on my desk now. This is a 1/72nd-scale kit of the Heinkel He 111H-20, which costs 6s. Briefly, this is well up to Airfix's high accuracy standard, is cleanly moulded and goes together well. Gimmick-wise, it has movable control surfaces, a rotating dorsal turret and retractable tailwheel. The main undercarriage must be fixed either up or down.

The only evidence that Airfix had a bit of a headache over the transparent front canopy is the fact that they have had to split it longitudinally and the modeller has to stick the halves together. The joins follow the struts on the cockpit and I found that it was virtually impossible to see the join on the finished job providing you go very easy on the cement.

But having successfully assembled the cockpit, modellers are left with the tricky prospect of painting in the struts. In any plastic model the treatment of the cockpit canopy can make or break—and the He 111 is surely a prime example of this.

I was just contemplating laying off strong drink in order to keep a steady hand for this particular job when, during conversation with aviation artist John Young (you can see some of his work on page 31 of this issue) he happened to mention that he had given up painting cockpit detail on his models. Pressed to explain he told me that there is a waterproof, transparent adhesive tape known as " Permacel" and made by Johnson and Johnson. Young takes a strip of this and paints it on the non-adhesive side with the appropriate colour and then, sticking the coloured strip down on glass or tin, cuts off thin strips which are placed on the cockpit canopy. It is available from some artists' stockists.

I've tried this, found it comparatively simple and am highly pleased with the results which are both neat and realistic. Ordinary transparent adhesive tape can be used but tends to peel off rather easily after a few days.

With the cockpit handsomely finished in this manner there is very little cause for grumbling at this model. The inside of the cockpit—even with aircrew in position—tends to look a little bare but clever use of the paint brush can disguise this. The front gunner's pad is a little too far back, but this, too, can be disguised by mounting the gunner himself well forward although his balance does look a little precarious!

RAF Flying Review September, 1962, Vol. XVIII, No. 1

OVER the COUNTER

THIS month, Airfix have yet another candidate for the " top ten," with their Heinkeli He.111. Probably the most widely known of the wartime Luftwaffe bombers, the HE.111 had an extremely long service career, being in use until very recently by the Spanish Air Force.

The Airfix kit does full justice to the not unattractive lines of this famous (or infamous) aircraft, the sub-type represented being the H.20 which was used extensively on the Russian front. Now some enthusiastic modifier will no doubt be quick to make up a five-engined He.111-Z glider-tug using Airfix components as a basis.

There are numerous other intriguing variants which immediately suggest themselves, for example, the colourful Spanish CASA 2111, described in ModEl Aircraft of September, 1961. Cost of this 12⅜ in. span model is 6s.

Model Aircraft Vol.21 No.256 1962 October

Trade Notes

It is not often that we have the chance to examine model products from East Germany but one item that did catch our interest recently was a plastic kit for a MiG 15 jet fighter. Packed in a soft cardboard box, the coloured exterior does not compare with the glossy covered boxes we have come to associate with plastic kits from Western countries. Parts are moulded in a thick dull silver grey plastic with rivet lines very much Clyde ship building size.

Pace of the Airfix expansion never slackens, or so it seems to us. Latest additions underline their creditable attention to infrequently modelled types. First came the Heinkel HE.111 H-20. With 79 light grey moulded parts this kit is to the accepted usual Airfix 1/72nd scale for aircraft at 6s. Two bombs arc provided to hang beneath the wings, the undercarriage retracts and all gun turrets can be swung through their normal operating arcs. Next to arrive is the 1/144th scale Vickers Vanguard in the Skyking series at 4s. 6d. Spot on accuracy (it follows all the detail in our A.P.S. plan) and authentic down to the built-in stairway, it makes a fine job in B.E.A. colours.

AeroModeller 1962-12

Trade Notes

It is not often that we have the chance to examine model products from East Germany but one item that did catch our interest recently was a plastic kit for a MiG 15 jet fighter. Packed in a soft cardboard box, the coloured exterior does not compare with the glossy covered boxes we have come to associate with plastic kits from Western countries. Parts are moulded in a thick dull silver grey plastic with rivet lines very much Clyde ship building size.

Pace of the Airfix expansion never slackens, or so it seems to us. Latest additions underline their creditable attention to infrequently modelled types. First came the Heinkel HE.111 H-20. With 79 light grey moulded parts this kit is to the accepted usual Airfix 1/72nd scale for aircraft at 6s. Two bombs arc provided to hang beneath the wings, the undercarriage retracts and all gun turrets can be swung through their normal operating arcs. Next to arrive is the 1/144th scale Vickers Vanguard in the Skyking series at 4s. 6d. Spot on accuracy (it follows all the detail in our A.P.S. plan) and authentic down to the built-in stairway, it makes a fine job in B.E.A. colours.

AeroModeller 1962-12

MODEL ENTHUSIAST
A pair of Heinkels...

Over the two-and-a-half years or so in which Lesney has been issuing 1/72nd scale aircraft kits in its 'Matchbox' range, this company has filled out a remarkably good catalogue, but has, hitherto, restricted itself primarily to single-engined types with the occasional foray into the 'smaller twin' category. Now, however, Lesney has expanded its activities with a Red Range of larger twin-engined aircraft, which are priced reasonably enough in the UK at 85p, and has simultaneously released an initial batch of no fewer than four kits, the first two of which are wartime progeny of the Ernst Heinkel AG.

The most eye-catching of these is the He 115B-1 torpedo-bombing float seaplane, a type never before offered as an injection-moulded kit.

The second Heinkel offspring in this first batch of Red Range kits is the He 111H medium bomber. This distinguished warhorse has appeared twice before in 1/72nd scale, Airfix having elected to offer the late production He 111H-20 and Frog having produced a rather indifferent He 111H-6 which failed to do justice to this aesthetically appealing product of the Gunter brothers' drawing boards. Lesney has, in our view wisely, chosen to depict the He 111H-5, and thus we at last have a version that participated in the 'Battle of Britain'. This kit assembles well and produces a model which is essentially accurate in outline, with the characteristic ground-hugging 'sit' of the full-scale original. The rather awkward — from the modelling viewpoint — undercarriage is nicely reproduced and with appropriate delicacy while retaining the necessary strength to support the finished model, and the wheels, moulded in halves, have the tread pattern on the tyres.

The difficult asymmetric nose transparency has been moulded longitudinally in halves with a third component containing the Ikaria spherical gun mounting which formed the tip of the 'greenhouse', and these parts have to be carefully joined with liquid cement applied sparingly with a fine brush if unsightly marks are to be avoided. The painting of the frames is aided by clear markings on the mouldings, but a steady hand is an invaluable asset. It is certainly worthwhile adding some detail in the front cockpit. Our only real criticism is the omission of glazing for four of the windows in the sides of the fuselage and for the 17 small windows in and above the ventral cupola. These are marked on the plastic and may be cut out and glazed, but this is no simple task and the transparencies should have been incorporated in this otherwise very good kit.

There are 72 component parts to this kit, these being cleanly moulded in brown, light blue and clear plastic, and there is a nice decal sheet providing markings for an aircraft operated by Kampfgeschwader 53 while flying from Lille-Nord, Belgium, in 1940, and one allegedly operated by Kampfgeschwader 51 'Edelweiss' on the Eastern Front in 1943, although, in fact, KG 51 had completed conversion to the Ju 88 three years earlier! The sheet also provides markings for an aircraft operated by Grupul5 of the Rumanian Corpul 1 Aerian which was active in the Zaporozh'ye area of the Ukraine early in 1943 — the Rumanian-flown aircraft were actually He 111H-3s but these were externally similar to the H-5.
F J HENDERSON

Air Enthusiast 1975-12 vol.09 no.06

A pair of unfortunates

In view of the measure of imagination and originality that Lesney has instilled into its 'Matchbox' range of kits, it is somewhat surprising that two of the most recent releases in the Orange Range, priced in the UK at 55p, should offer neither, both representing types that have been produced at least twice before in 1/72nd scale. Both represent 'unfortunates' of WW II, one depicting the Fairey Swordfish which was unfortunate in finding itself totally obsolete when called upon to fight a war and he other depicting the Messerschmitt Me 410 which was unfortunate in never completely overcoming the shortcomings that had plagued its barely distinguishable predecessor, the Me 210. As we have already said, there are other 1/72nd scale kits of these types, both Airfix and Frog having tackled the Swordfish while Frog and Lindberg have offered the Me 410, and while it seems something of a pity to go over 'well-trodden plastic', at least in the case of the Messerschmitt we have a significantly better kit than either of its predecessors.

In so far as the Swordfish is concerned, the Frog offering is a relatively recent and a good kit, and one would have thought that Lesney could have directed its not inconsiderable talents towards giving us an Albacore instead, but in its wisdom the company has evidently decided that we need yet another Swordfish, so...! It is a nice kit and may be completed either as a Mk I or a Mk III, rocket rails with separate rockets being provided for mounting under the wings of the latter, together with the radome that was mounted beneath the forward fuselage.

The wing assembly calls for some care, incidentally, and we would recommend a 'dry run' before final assembly. The careful and correct setting of the wings is absolutely essential if the intrinsic character of the old 'Stringbag' is to be simulated, and this is certainly assisted by the paired interplane struts and the centre-section struts which have been incorporated into upper fuselage panels. The kit has 68 parts in white, sky and dark blue plastic, plus a clear windscreen, and the decal sheet offers markings for a torpedo-carrying Mk I of No 824 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, which flew from HMS Illustrious to attack Taranto on 11 November 1940, and for a radar-equipped Mk III of No 119 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command, in 1945.

The 'Matchbox' Me 410 kit may be completed either as an A-2/U4 Zerstorer or as a B-l Schnellbomber and consists of 55 component parts in light shades of blue, grey and brown plastic. Generally accurate in outline with adequate if not profuse surface detailing but little in the cockpit beneath the very clear canopy, it fits together well. The kit includes the 50-mm BK 5 cannon featured by the Me 410A-2/U4 and the markings provided for this version are of an aircraft that was operated by 5. Staff el of Zerstorergeschwader 26 'Horst WesseV, those for the Me 410B-1 being for an aircraft of 1.Staff el of Kampfgeschwader 51 'Edelweiss' which was operating this type from Beauvais, France, in February 1944.□
F J HENDERSON

Air Enthusiast 1975-12 vol.09 no.06

MODEL ENTHUSIAST
An Italo-teutonic trio

As a major component of the offensive backbone of the Luftwaffe in World War II, the Heinkel He 111 has inevitably provided a popular subject for plastic kit manufacturers from the earliest days, when Lindberg produced a kit to 1/63rd scale and Faller came up with a 1/100th scale kit, both being somewhat nondescript in variant and doubtful in authenticity. Airfix was first in the field with a kit to 1/72nd scale, electing, oddly enough, to portray the He 111H-20, which was neither the most popular nor the most adaptable version of the elegant Heinkel. Then, after a considerable lapse of time, Frog came up with a He 111H-6 to the same scale and this, having been employed during the "Battle of Britain", was a version for which many modellers had been waiting. Like the Airfix offering, the Frog kit was good but suffered some serious shortcomings, the most important of which was an ungainly undercarriage which, if assembled as per instructions, gave the model a totally uncharacteristic sit. More recently, a very much better kit has been added to Lesney's "Matchbox"" range, and this is likely to remain the choice of those wanting a kit at a price that will not evoke a sharp pain in the pocket.

For those to whom price is not a primary consideration there is now an even better kit, which, a product of the Italaerei concern of Italy, incorporates a wealth of small detail in its 141 component parts. Moulded, without a sign of flash, in medium grey and clear plastic, the kit represents the He 111H-6 and features surface detailing of the fine raised line type. The undercarriage is delicately moulded but surprisingly strong when assembled. All essential parts are reproduced and we particularly like the tyres with their clearly defined treads. The transparencies are very clear, all windows being included and the immense glazed asymmetric nose being moulded in such a way that the usual and unsightly centre seam is avoided. There is ample interior detail; the machine guns have separate drums and there are two external bomb racks with separate shackles to take either the two bombs or the two torpedoes provided with the kit — the latter even having separate propellers.

Three different schemes are covered by the decal sheet, these comprising one used by I/KG 26 operating in the anti-shipping role over the North Sea in 1941-2, another utilised by II/KG 26 operating over the Mediterranean and a third employed by II/KG 53 on the Russian Front where it performed both bombing and transport missions. The four-language instruction sheet is very clear and we consider this to be the most convincing kit of the He 111 yet available.

The adaptation of the He 111 H-6 kit into the bizarre He 111Z-1 five-engined glider tug would seem to be a logical enough step although one not attempted by either of the earlier producers of kits of this version of the Heinkel bomber. However, evidently believing that there is always a market for the real oddities of WW II, assuming that such progressed further than the pure experimental stage, Italaerei has seized the opportunity and has issued a kit of this Zwilling, or Siamese Twin, simultaneously with its basic He 111 H-6 kit. This consists essentially of two H-6 kits, less one set of outer wings which are replaced by an extra constant-chord section carrying a fifth engine. The result is a kit totalling some 270 component parts, although a number of these are surplus to the requirements of the He 111Z-1.

With all parts fitting well, construction presents no special problems, except perhaps when it comes to lining up the two fuselages on the centre wing section when care must be taken to ensure that the four mainwheels and two tailwheels all sit squarely on the ground. Neither the bombs nor the torpedoes are applicable, but drop tanks are provided to take their places on the bomb racks. Two colour schemes are included on the instruction sheet, both of which were apparently used on the Russian Front during 1943. This is a most impressive and unusual kit.

The third of Italaerei's teutonic trio is the Junkers Ju 86E, a radial-engined version of the Ju 86D previously issued by this Italian company. The Ju 86E saw relatively limited Luftwaffe service, those delivered having been produced merely as a stop-gap while Junkers' Dessau line was tooling in preparation for the licence manufacture of the He 111, but it saw some export success. Eighteen Ju 86E-2s were ordered for Austria's Luftstreitkrdfte, although, in the event, only one example was to be delivered, and other export versions essentially similar to the Ju 86E were the Ju 86K-2 for Hungary, the K-4 for Sweden and the K-6 for Chile and Portugal.

The Italaerei kit comprises 118 parts, moulded, as for the He 111, in medium grey and clear plastic, and is directly comparable in accuracy and detail with the kit of its more illustrious compatriot. The Junkers "double wing" feature is well reproduced and there are many tiny component parts. Two colour schemes with appropriate decals are provided, but this kit could provide a field day for the exotic marking specialist. Strongly recommended, these Italaerei kits should be obtainable through the larger model stockists.
F J HENDERSON

Air Enthusiast 1977-03 vol.12 no.03

Modelling world
James Goulding
New from Italaerei

ITALAEREI, from modest beginnings, has now, by virtue of maintaining consistently high standards, become firmly established as one of the finest manufacturers of plastic construction kits in the world. The company has given us beautiful models and its range of kits has included some very interesting subjects. At times Italaerei has shown more courage in the choice of subjects than some bigger manufacturers with such types as the Horsa, Hadrian, Fiat BR20 and Junkers Ju86.

There was a time when Italaerei kits were rather hard to find except in some of the larger model shops, but gradually their distribution has become wider. Selected aircraft and armour kits from the company are now being marketed by Revell under a new agreement which should widen their market still further. Currently available under the Revell/Italaerei label are the Henschel Hsl26 and Junkers Ju86E.

Ital-Hobby, Bologna, has recently sent me samples of several new Italaerei releases, among which are a Heinkel HelllH-6 and the five-engined Heinkel HelllZ Zwilling. At first I had reservations about the production of yet another 1:72 scale kit of the Hel 11H, but such feelings were overcome by examination and construction of this kit. It is a superb model, beautifully detailed, and certainly the best available. External engraving has just about the right amount of heaviness and consists of both skin lines and rivets. There is plenty of internal detail and nothing has been skimped. All the tiny windows around the lower gun 'bath' and the four windows on each side of the fuselage have been provided with transparencies. Cockpit layout is good and the crew figures are moulded to look realistic, with separate arms, and bodies in two parts to enable the modeller to adopt his own crew attitudes.

The guns in the kit have engraved barrels and the magazines are separate mouldings. This particular Hel 11H is one with the strengthened section between the nacelles to take heavy external loads in place of the internal bomb bay, and the loads provided as alternatives are two heavy bombs, or torpedoes which even have separate propulsion propellers. Delicate control levers, pitot head and undercarriage leg components add to the overall authentic appearance.

There are many points which show a high degree of thought in design. I like the assembly of the propeller, spinner and shaft, which permits the propeller and spinner to be painted and finally assembled after the nacelles have been cemented together, rubbed down and cemented to the wings. The propeller is attached to the front of the shaft in a way that I would like to see more widely adopted. Another nice feature is the way the exhaust outlets are hollow behind instead of the usual solid moulding — a small point but an important one.

Transfers (decals) are included for three separate HelllH bombers, two frbm KG26 and one from KG53. One aircraft from 1/KG26 is in Northern Europe colours and another, from 2/KG26, is in desert camouflage; both are torpedo-carrying aircraft. The KG53 model is in winter camouflage and operated in Russia. The quality of the transfers is up to the standard of the rest of the kit. As Revell does not have an Hel 11 in its range I feel that Italaerei's fine kit would make an excellent addition to the Revell/Italaerei programme.

If one Italaerei 111 kit is a good thing, then two together is twice as good, and that is what you get with the Italian company's Heinkel HelllZ-1 Zwilling kit! It is basically two Hel 11 kits, but with the centre section, an additional engine and without left and right wings in otherwise standard Hel 11 kits. The result is an impressive but unorthodox five-engined glider tug (an excellent companion for the forthcoming Italaerei Messerschmitt Me321 heavy glider).

All my comments about the 111H kit apply equally to this kit, which includes under-fuselage torpedoes and bombs and long-range tanks. Transfers are for Zwillings operating in Russia in both winter and normal camouflage. The 111Z looked like a mix-up between two production shifts, with the incoming day shift finishing off what the outgoing night shift had started, but using too many parts. But it did represent a means of producing five-engined power in a simple conversion, power that was needed to tow the Me321 Gigant glider.

AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED 1976-12

KIT COMMENT
MAKING THE MOST OF THE MOULD
Heinkel He 111H-6 and Zwilling from Italaerei

ITALAEREI are making a name for themselves apart from having some of the best and most finely detailed kits available on the European market. Amongst the models that have been released and those on their current production list are several that have used basically the same parts to provide an alternative version of the same aeroplane.

Whereas companies like Revell go in for producing the same model with new box art and perhaps a change of decal sheet before labelling their product 'a new model' Italaerei, aware that marketing means, amongst other things making the most of what there is available by adding different parts to produce another variant packed in a separate box.

One of their most recent releases, a Heinkel He 111Z, is a masterpiece in producing a kit all over again and getting a new model as a result.

In fact the basic kit of the Heinkel He 111H-6, on which the Zwilling is based was released at the same time as its big brother. We can report that botji models are excellent reproductions and certainly as good if not better than any other He 111 on the market. We chose to make up the Zwilling for our review but the remarks on the standard and in the main the method of construction apply to both kits. The difference lies in that two He 11 lH-6s are included in the large kit plus a fifth engine and the centre wing section which joined the two together. You will even find two sets of torpedoes in the Zwilling kit as the same mould has been used as on the He 111H-6 which after all was a torpedo bomber. Keep these in the spares box as there's bound to be a use for them one day!

There are also several other small parts that are not required from one variant to the other and obviously Italaerei could not produce a separate mould for them. Instead they have put large crosses on the parts not needed in the instruction sheet so there should be no problem in sorting out which has to be used.

We found that the best method of construction was to assemble both fuselages first and then fix the central wing section. Construction was simple and straight forward and although cockpit detail looks good there is not a great deal provided and perhaps this could have had a little extra thought. The large glazed nose of the He 111 allows all of the interior to be seen and there seem to be enough pictures and drawings of cockpit interiors of this aircraft around to add any extra detail that the individual may chose.

Both dorsal and ventral turrets are well cared for having the correct construction of the gun mounting and gunners seat in the upper section and the right type of mounting underneath. Perhaps this is the point to make mention of the crew figures that come with this kit. Unlike many of their contemporary manufacturers, Italaerei have started to provide these with separate arms and legs allowing different positions to be chosen to suit the individual's requirements. This is a great step forward from the humanoid figures provided by other manufacturers but we still prefer to leave figures out of our models. It's all a case of personal choice..

Having got to the outer wing construction we can commend the way in which this manufacturer has very correctly reproduced the construction of the engines on the He 111. These are very well detailed and have the small inlets round the propeller hub so often missed out by others. The cockpit glazing too is highly commended as this is moulded in one complete piece apart from the cupola on the nose which contains the machine gun. Watch the instruction sheet carefully here, though, as the port fuselage has a machine gun and the starboard one a cannon. This can easily be missed unless one takes particular note as the instruction sheet does not underline the difference.

The undercarriage legs and tyres are again first class pieces of mould making. Here again the instruction sheet needs careful study as the modeller has to stretch some of the sprue to provide one of the small cross sectional parts and also to provide the thin horizontal part of the Lorenz bean\ aerial under the fuselage.

Two different colour schemes are suggested in the plans and two separate sets of decals are provided. These are, however for the same Staffel one aircraft being coded. TH+ZL and the other TH+ZI. The former applies to an aircraft on the Russian front during the winter campaign when most operational aircraft were given a coat of white paint over the normal two-tone green camouflage. Both aircraft's undersides were Hellblau with yellow wing tips.

The all-white aircraft gives an excellent chance for applying a little weathering and operational dirt as on many of these hastily painted machines the white flaked off after a while and the green started to show through. On the two-tone green example modellers should watch that the camouflage extends under the leading edge of the wing, a practise not often adopted on German aircraft of the period.

Decals for the He 111H-6 are for either an aircraft of 1/KG26, 2/KG26 or II/KG 53 and cover the northern Europe, Mediterranean and Russian fronts — one could hardly get a wider choice!

Both of these kits are truly excellent. From the near perfect detail on panel lines- and in such things as careful and scale size reproduction of armament they can hardly be beaten. The only problem is getting hold of a copy as Model Mail has yet to receive supplies though we notice that BMW Models of Wimbledon have some advertised recently. The import of Italaerei kits since Revell have become the UK distributors has not been as good as we would have liked.

Another model that has recently appeared in which the same techniques of alternative parts have been provided is the Junkers Ju 86E-1/2. This is the version of the basic Ju 86 which employs BMW radial engines in the Luftwaffe version rather than the inline Jumos. Other power plants were used in this version particularly for the Swedish and South African Air Forces. The cowlings are similar and with only minor alterations can be adapted to'give this aircraft type should the modeller wish to make one.

Decals are however not included for aircraft other than the German employed Ju 86 but there are so many decals available from other kits so making up alternatives from the spares box should give the experienced enthusiast little trouble.

There is little we can say about this model apart from that already recorded in the review we gave of the earlier release some time ago. It is a beautiful model full of detail and excellent tooling but as with most other Italaerei kits the price is high. Model Mail has supplies of this kit which retails at £1.35.

Aviation News Vol 5 Num 16 7 - 20 January 1977