1/48 Revell Heinkel He 111 H1

 “la Pinasse” 

by Laurent ‘Angus’ Beauvais

--------------------

 

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

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Laurent ‘Angus’ Beauvais