The Horten brothers, Reimar, Wolfram and Walter designed and flew "all wing" sailplanes in the thirties and continued to design and develop flying wing designs after WW2 had started. Wolfram was killed in an air accident over France in 1940. The two remaining brothers continued and designed this two man, twin engine project labelled the Vll.

It was of mixed construction, with the larger wooden parts being allocated to Pesche Furniture Company for manufacture. Two Argus AS-10C engines were to provide the power. The central section was constructed from steel tubes with aluminium panels.
The Ho Vll made its maiden flight in May 1943 and its capabilities proved satisfactory, so much so, 2 more prototypes were started. The V2 was the only one to be completed and was lost during take off after it had been captured by US Forces in April 1945.

THE KIT

Type: Resin

The kit's contents are:
31 Resin parts
2 Vacuform canopies
Decals

MAIN PARTS

All the parts are moulded/cast in the usual buff resin.
Planet Models have always been of a high quality, and this is no exception. If anything Planet have got even better this last 12 months or so. My example of the Horten is one of the best Planets Ive seen.

The moulding is crisp with clear definition and nice subtle detailing. There is one big part combining the fuselage, wings and engine nacelles with hardly a trace of flash and it has no moulding trees/stubs anywhere. So nothing is required other than the lightest of sanding and a wash to remove any grease. The panel lines are nice and subtle.
All the other parts are the small ones.

SMALL PARTS

The small parts all come attached to the casting blocks, so careful removal with a fine razor saw is required, as is a little detail clean up such as flash fill-in in the little voids. Generally, all the small parts look most satisfactory.

The main undercarriage is located quite a way back, tucked under the rear of the engines, so with a bit of luck adding ballast may not be necessary. However, the building will prove this one way or the other.

As the main fuselage/wings assembly is in one piece it may be a little too heavy for the resin undercarriage legs to support so either some reinforcing or metal scratchbuilt replacements would be a good idea.

CLEAR PARTS

On my example there are two canopies provided. This may be a mistake, so expect one only.

The vac canopies are up to standard and have nice subtle frame detailing.
They are clear and reasonably thin.

INSTRUCTIONS & DECALS

The instructions consist of one two sided good photocopied sheet, with the assembly instructions on one side with camo/scheme guide, parts list and history summary on the reverse.

The decals cover all main insignia. No swastikas this time on this kit. Research may prove they were not added to the actual aircraft. The quality looks very good with nice thin decals with good colour definition and register.

CONCLUSION.

This kit should will make up into a very nice model of an unusual aircraft. It should prove an ideal introduction those wishing to tackle an all-resin kit for the first time, as it looks quite simple to assemble. So a good kit for both the experienced and the not so experienced.

This kit is definitely a must for Luft '46 fans and for those who like the more unusual.