1/33 Heinkel He-111 | KG 53, Battle of Britain/Bombing of London 1940 - Page 2

**rifleman** · #11 08-27-2022, 12:50 AM

fine work sir the photos are great nice to how you build and put these parts together

**Foute Man** · #12 08-27-2022, 03:02 PM

Sorry to mention it, but the aircraft fuselage code is incorrect. A1+BT was an aircraft from 9th staffel, so the B should be yellow and not white

**Zenon1947** · #13 08-31-2022, 01:07 PM

Foute Man, the model is as it was published in 2003. I didn't make any changes in its textures. Sometimes my grandson does recolors for me but it's just pointless to digitally repaint every single plane that I have and want to build. As long as the model is correct in at least, let's say, 70%, I don't see a reason to have it digitally repainted.
However, in this case, I may always paint the "B" letter yellow later.

The work on He-111 continues.
This time, less words, more photos.
Obviously, all elements are before their final retouch(here I mostly think about the rear part of the fuselage).

**Foute Man** · #14 08-31-2022, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenon1947

Foute Man, the model is as it was published in 2003. I didn't make any changes in its textures. Sometimes my grandson does recolors for me but it's just pointless to digitally repaint every single plane that I have and want to build. As long as the model is correct in at least, let's say, 70%, I don't see a reason to have it digitally repainted.
However, in this case, I may always paint the "B" letter yellow later.

Offcourse, it's your model, so it's your decision

However the colour of the third digit in the fuselage code is an important detail anybody with a little Luftwaffe knowledge will notice....
Most likely the spinners were painted in the Gruppe colours = yellow

Some background info.... I searched for some records of Heinkels coded A1+BT that were shot down during the Battle of Britain:

- 24/8/1940 - He 111H-2 A1+BT of 9/KG53 shot down by 615 Squadron whilst bombing Hornchurch airfield at 16.10. Aircraft crashed at Langford Grove Road, Langford, Oberlt G. Huhn, Oberfw J. Schmid, Fw W. Jagher and Fw G. Ultsch were all killed, Gefr H. Zaunigk baled out and captured (original page here)

- 15/9/1940 - Heinkel He111H-3 (werk 3340) III/KG 53 or 9/KG 53 Force landed at Armentieres after damage from fighter attack. Two NCO's wounded. Aircraft A1+BT 40% damaged.

The second aircraft has been photographed in september 1940. It's profile is well known, as drawings have been published in several books.
21st century historical research suggest the white bars on the starboard wing and starboard side of the fin weren't actually painted white, but pink....
These type of markings were only painted on some aircraft in september 1940, the exact reason why these markings were painted on these aircrafts is still unknown, but most likely this was done to allow an easier and quicker way of finding places in the formation after taking off

So in case you do feel inspired to make a repaint, the second aircraft will be easy to do

**Erik Zwaan** · #15 09-01-2022, 02:40 AM

Hi Zenon, this is a very interesting build to follow! I bought this model years ago but never started it (yet). Good luck with this one, in any case you're off to a good start and Foute Man's additional information is interesting food for thought.

Cheers,
Erik

**Zenon1947** · #16 09-03-2022, 05:09 AM

Thanks for the additional info, Foute Man.
After analyzing many different sources, I decided to paint the “B” letter on the fuselage and spinners yellow. Of course, these changes will be applied when the model is almost done.

Small two-photo update below.
The details from the first photo are yet to be retouched.
During the building process, I also replace many parts. More information on this will be in the future updates.

By the way, I've found an interesting drawing of A1-BT. It has no stripes. Maybe it's the "first" plane?

**Zenon1947** · #17 09-06-2022, 09:51 AM

The "B" letters on the fuselage have been painted yellow.
I also did some work with the cockpit; pilot's seat and bombardier/gunner's seat.
Fifth photo shows the wheels at their very early stage. Sandpaper will be used to give them a proper shape of tires.
The model has many inaccuracies in its design. Wings' ends are a great example. I had to use some spare color, which is thankfully provided in the kit, to fill the gaps.