Still
continuing the non French Aircraft in French markings, this time the Revell
He111 H4/H6 that was transformed into a Free French H1.ssions on the French
Master194 plastic modeler forum.
This
is the story, as far as we know it after long discussions on the French Master194
plastic modeler forum, of this aircraft:
This
aircraft is a VIP transport plane, Wr 5113, personal aircraft of gen.
Weise, commander of the 11th Panzer Division. I was captured by
French troups on August 28 1944, and after several tests was assigned to
the Dor group (Free French) that became later on the GB (Bomber Group)
1/31 Aunis. It was that group that was using Ju 88 A4 against German
troups in what we call the Atlantic pocket. It was not used as a combat
aircraft but as a transport one, mostly piloted directly by Commandant Dor.
Do not confuse the Dor group (bombers) and the Doret group
(Fighters)
It
has had 3 paint scheme:
·From
August 44 to March 45 where it was assigned to the Dor group: German paint
scheme with French roundels and black and white stripes.
·From
March 45, it was all painted in light beige and was called “la
Pinasse”, name of a small typical boot of the Bordeaux region, by the
mechanical staff (see: http://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Trempe/2044L.jpg)
·In
1946 it was sent to the Paris region and painted in full spinash green
·It
was dismanded in 1949
It
is to be noted that a second He111 (H1 it seems to) has been used in 1941
in Irag. It was lend by German to the French Vichy government for a
diplomatic mission, and then painted back in german markings.
Documentation :
"Les avions allemands aux couleurs françaises" by Ph.
Ricco and J.-Cl. Soumille
The
kit is wonderful, but there is quite a lot of work to transform a H4 into
a H1. First of all, the engine cover that had to be completely redesigned.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Then
you will have to perform these modifications. Of course I have no idea
what the interior of a VIP He111 looks like.
Details
have been added to the cockpit which is particularly visible, I have opened all
the windows I could, positioned the control surfaces.
The
color was obtained by mixing French Chamois color with white. French roundels
that are enormous are painted (I am not sure about the surrounding yellow
colour). Weathering is done using a paper pen and has to be light, whereas
exhaust traces are particularely heavy.
Hope
you enjoy.
Laurent
Click on
images below to see larger images
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