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World War II
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
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Heinkel He 115
Merlin
Staff MemberSenior Editor
AEROSCALE
#017
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United Kingdom
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 - 06:56 PM UTC


Special Hobby recently re-released their limited run He 115 with new decals for Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish aircraft.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
jphillips
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Arizona, United States
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 1,066 posts
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Posted: Thursday, May 18, 2017 - 03:09 AM UTC
It would be interesting, to build a captured He-115 in German camo with the insignia hastily painted out and new Norwegian markings applied. But no pics of these planes exist. I don't think they were used long enough for any to be taken.
KAakra
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Norway
Joined: May 19, 2017
KitMaker: 3 posts
AeroScale: 3 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 18, 2017 - 01:54 PM UTC
Well, such photos do exists. Kind of. And several exists of them in Norwegian use!

There are a few photos that show the German insignia were at least partially overpainted on one plane at the capture site. But we do not know if they were fully overpainted and if Norwegian insignia was applied at the original capture site.

What is know is that the two captured planes were flown to Skattora seaplane base at Tromsoe where they were repainted in a grey colour overall (a war diary entry and photos prove this) and had Norwegian flag stripes applied.

Here are a few photos showing one of the captured planes with overpainted swastika and partially overpainted individual letter and some profiles detailing the colour schemes of the two He 115 Bs.

Source of photographs is Norwegian Defence Museum and the profiles are mine.












KAakra
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Norway
Joined: May 19, 2017
KitMaker: 3 posts
AeroScale: 3 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 18, 2017 - 02:02 PM UTC
Regarding the kit, please note that you have to make a few modifications in order to make a correct Norwegian or Swedish He 115.

I do not have this version of the kit myself (only the German one), but judging by the photos it is clear that you do not get the shorter non-rotating Norwegian nose cupola and you will also have to make a few other modifications internally (different radio gear, etc.).

If anyone needs more specific information on differences of the Scandinavian versions feel free to contact me!
politicni
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Slovenia
Joined: December 03, 2009
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Posted: Thursday, May 18, 2017 - 03:16 PM UTC
I have and will be made in Finnish colors
KAakra
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Norway
Joined: May 19, 2017
KitMaker: 3 posts
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Posted: Thursday, May 18, 2017 - 04:36 PM UTC
The Finnish one was an ex-Norwegian as you probably know, so you´ll need to mod the nose cupola.
SgtRam
Staff MemberEditor-at-Large
AEROSCALE
#197
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 06, 2011
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Posted: Thursday, May 18, 2017 - 06:08 PM UTC
Great review, thanks. I remember building the very old Matchbox kit many many many years ago, and this new kit looks to be very well done.

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