ICM # 48268 1/48 Heinkel He-111H-20 captured

ICM # 48268 1/48 Heinkel He-111H-20 captured

Unique History
One of the He 111H-20 aircraft has a remarkable history. Built as a transport variant of one of the Luftwaffe's most widely produced bombers, it was manufactured in 1944 with factory number 701152. During the final days of World War II in Europe, American forces captured and transported it to Cherbourg. The pilots of the 56th Fighter Group USAAF, who were assigned the aircraft, painted it their unit's signature deep purple color. By September 1945, when it was time to return to the USA, the American pilots faced leaving the aircraft behind. Unwilling to abandon it, the crew made a daring decision -without higher command's approval, they flew their He 111 to the British airbase at North Weald, where bewildered British pilots discovered it on their airfield the following morning. This bold action ensured the aircraft's preservation. It was subsequently featured at the German aircraft exhibition at RAE Farnborough (Royal Aircraft Establishment), before finding its permanent home in 1978 at the Royal Air Force Museum in London, where it remains today.

In The Box
The kit is enclosed in sturdy packaging with an illustrated cover top and a cardboard casing. The main gray sprues are in two plastic bags and each clear sprue is in its own plastic bag for protection.

Instructions are well illustrated and easy to follow and contain 107 steps for assembly. It is worth noting that for the “H” transport variant has a lot of parts that will NOT be used, and those parts are highlighted in the instructions.

For painting reference, ICM uses their line of paints, but you can easily look online to cross reference other paint brands for color matching.

Decals are thin and in registry and have three sets of markings for the He 111H-20 during its captured time in 1945:

He 111H-20, 56th Fighter Group (USAAF), Boxted Airfield, July 1945 (splintered green camo & black underside).
He 111H-20, RAF North weald, September 1945 (deep blue-purple with red engines nacelles & rudder, US markings on the fuselage).
He 111H-20, RAE Farnborough, November 1945 (deep blue-purple with red engines nacelles & rudder, British markings on the fuselage).

paints and Glue Not included