Introduction

ICM continues to release versions of the Heinkel He 111 with another release of the original model in Romanian service. This offering is different due to the finishing options and the Romanians having some unusual colours in their scheme.

Contents

The model is packaged in the now usual cardboard tray with a flip top lid and a second card lid with the model artwork on it. The design of this packaging does mean that you can reasonably sure that the model will reach you in its intended condition. Inside there is an instruction booklet of 28 pages inside of which is the decal sheet. There is a single re-sealable bag containing the sprues and a separate bag with a single clear sprue.

Review

Starting the review with an examination of the sprues reveals very little to be concerned with that I can see. There are a few ejector pin marks that will need attention, but most of these are in hidden locations. I have also found a part on two identical sprues that looks to have a shrink mark present in the same location, but I also have to say that I could not find an image of the area to confirm or deny my suspicion. All of the parts have stayed attach to the sprues and no damage has been detected.

Starting with the interior areas of the model and I really like how ICM have tackled joining the wings to the model and incorporated this into the interior components. The bulkheads that are part of the wing spars encompass the bomb bay and the rear and front bulkheads on the reverse sides with detail fillets attached. Looking at the area that protrudes into the wings you find the bulkheads for the front and rear of the wheel bays and the parts that make up the wheel bays connect to these making a secure mounting point.

Moving back to the fuselage portion and the walk way is included which will stabilise this area. This now secure portion is used to add all of the elements that make up the internal structure. This goes towards the rear of the model where the ring for the upper machine gun post is located and this area includes ammunition storage, a feature I am pleased to see. The rear section is finished with another bulkhead which I am very pleased to see as I found that the connection points of the main structures (wings and Fuselage) have pins that are too large for the receiving holes. There are two ways to tackle this depending on your ability: I suggest removing the pins for the more experienced and enlarging the holes for the rest of us.

Moving onto the cockpit which is attached to the bulkhead assembly and so provides the modeller with a single structure to add to the fuselage rather than trying to fit several sub-assemblies. The cockpit area is for the most part a very pleasing offering from ICM. The pilots seat is accurate for the ‘H’ model of the He 111, but no harness detail has been provided and so there is room for the aftermarket companies to lift this area of the model. The roof mounted instrument panel is right or wrong depending on whose reference you follow. One of my reference books provides a period photo claiming to be a ‘H’ model and this shows the panel included with the model. Overall I am pleased with the effort ICM has made with the cockpit due to the very large glazed area, but as mentioned there is room for improvement. ICM has included interior frame detail on the inside of the fuselage halves where required. Disappointingly ICM has not provided the leather pad for the bomb aimer of the canvas cover for the bomb aiming position when not in use.

The defensive armament of the He 111 is well replicated, the detail offered here is of a high standard but the muzzles of the machine guns have no hollow detail present, I suspect this will be quickly picked up on by Master or similar company who will address this with wonderful turned barrel sets. One aspect I like about this offering is the number of drum magazines that ICM has provided in the correct locations and orientation.

The offensive armament in the form of the bombs has again been well tackled by ICM. You are provided with very accurate storage and a nicely detailed full bomb load; interestingly the bombs are dropped tail first which is counter to what you would expect. Lastly ICM has provided the modeller with the option of an open or closed bomb bay.

The wheel bays are nicely detailed, but this is an area I cannot comment on the accuracy of. The undercarriage itself is quite a complicated design and ICM has done a very good job of replicating this in detail. All of the rigid structure has been provided to a very pleasing level and only leaves the modeller to scratch the brake cables. The balloon tyres are nicely replicated, but they have not been provided as weighted which is a pity. The tail wheel has been equally well detailed from an accuracy standpoint, but I am disappointed to see the wheel itself moulded as part of the frame, I feel a separate moulding would provide a more realistic appearance.

Included in this offering are two full engines which I believe to be Jumo 211 A1 engines; I am happy to be corrected as the engines are not my strongpoint. The exhaust is the correct version for the model offered and it is hollowed at the end, but this will benefit from some further work by the modeller to increase its depth. Regardless of how you wish to display your model when finished I feel this is a very nice inclusion rather than needing to look at the aftermarket providers should you have otherwise wished to include the detail. The propellers are the correct metal design rather than the larger paddled wooden propellers used in later variants.

Moving onto the exterior of the model reveals some of the finest panel lines I have come across, so fine in fact that I can see them but not feel them; this does concern me a little when it comes to painting as it will be very easy to obscure this exceptional detail. Checking the panel lines against my reference reveals very accurate replication on the model. The engine cowlings have been nicely tackled to allow the detail to be on view or not. The flight control surfaces are also separate parts allowing them to be orientated as wished or required. The Clear parts of this model have to be well replicated due to how big some areas of glazing are. The nose glazed area is made up of six pieces and this concerns me slightly when it comes to filling and sanding joints. I am very pleased to see that ICM has included a pattern for creating masks for the glazed areas and also covers their placement in the instructions.

ICM has provided two finishing options for this model as listed below.
He 111-H3 5th Bomber Group, Romanian Air Force, Bessarabia, Summer 1941
He 111-H3 5th Bomber Group, Romanian Air Force, Russia, Late 1942

Conclusion

This latest offering from ICM is the original 1/48th scale model in new colours. The model when built looks very nice straight from the box and can be stunning if the modeller adds extras and does some scratch work. The bomb bay if exposed is a particularly nice aspect of the model to show off. The unusual colour scheme makes this offering of the He 111H-3 really stand out.