ICM/Italeri Henschel HS 126 in 1:48th - Recon for Rommel - 2.(H)/14 in Africa

Laurent Freidine has just finished this very neat model of the ICM Henschel HS 126 (Italeri re-box), as an aircraft flying with 2.(H)/AufklGr14 in North Africa. Inspired by the colour photos in and the jacket illustration of the recommended book " Recon for Rommel" by Stefan Ommert, Laurent's model was built with the Eduard etch set, using Quickboost exhausts and Montex masks.

Laurent comments that because the instruction sheet is so 'vague' the Mushroom Hs 126 volume is essential as reference - for example note the absence of generator on the 'B' variant, although there is no mention of this on the sheet and a number of parts are 'mis-numbered'. The hard plastic makes the small parts difficult to remove from the sprues without breaking them and there is little or no surface engraving on the parts. Laurent describes this as 'short-run Italeri'. While the decal sheet is good, the painting instructions are vague and studying the pictures in Ommert's book, Laurent elected to paint his model in the Italian desert colours, nocciala chiaro, verde olivia scuro and grigo azzuro which appear to be better matches than the more typical RLM 78/79/80.

Also by Laurent Freidine on this blog;

Luftwaffe hangars and airfield equipment for the modeller

Ju 88 NJG 2 and KG 54, ZG 76 Bf 109 Dora, Henschel Hs 126 Aufklärer in Poland, KG 54 Totenkopf emblem - Ebay daily photo find #130

Click on the image to view large

neat view of Ju 88 C-2 "R4+EL" WNr 0736  of 3./NJG 2 crash landed by Flugzeugführer Fw Robert Lüddecke (front) on 22 November 1941 at Capodichino-Naples. Lüddecke had returned three night victories - Nachtluftsiege - at the time of the incident.

Three more from Michael Meyer's current sales.

Frontal views of a 2./ZG 76 Bf 110 B photgraphed in May 1939 in Olmütz/Silesia, where training and conversion onto the Bf 110 began. A good view of the radiator intakes under the power plants, the oval exit channels for the 20 mm shells under the nose, level with the wing roots, as well as the insignia of the propeller manufacturer VDM on the prop blades

On 1 May 1939 5./ZG 141 was re-designated 2./ZG 76. Two views of Gefr. Erich Zickler’s Bf 109 D, "red 12" of 2./ZG 76 seen in Pardubitz during the spring of 1939. Zickler later served with 6./ NJG 1

Michael Meyer's Ebay sales are here 

below; from the images currently on offer at koelsch333 Ebay sales and shown here courtesy of proprietor Marco. Click to view large. Go to link below to bid

http://www.ebay.de/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=koelsch333&item=311458609037&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xflugzeug.TRS0&_nkw=flugzeug&_sacat=0

Henschel Hs 126 Aufklärungsgruppe - Wintertarnung

Eastern Front,winter 1942/43,unit : Aufklärungsgruppe 23, 2.Staffel Hs 126 B-1,


Hs 126 B-1, 3.Staffel, Aufklärungsgruppe 21, Eastern front,winter 1942/43

and, below, currently on offer here at Manuel Rauh's Ebay sales

Nahaufklärungsstaffel 1.(H)/11 photo album campaign in Poland and the West - Henschel Hs 126, Fw 189

Super album of some 670 photos currently at 1,600 euros (52 bids) and two days left to go, see link below;

Nahaufklärungsstaffel 1.(H)/11 was established on 1. November 1938 in Großenhain and underwent its baptism of fire in the Polish campaign (Polen Feldzug) under Staffelkapitän, Hptm. Kurt Friese (see signature above). In the winter of 1939/40 the Staffel moved to the Eitel region and flew in support of  Rommel's 7. Pz. The campaign in the West took 1.(H)Pz/11 under their new Staffelkapitän, Hptm. Richard Heuser all the way down to Bordeaux. With 'Sealion' then cancelled the unit moved to winter quarters at Feldflugplatz Moiselles, 16 km NNW of Paris. Under Staffelführer Oblt. Karl Euler the Staffel was reorganised with two new Staffeln created. On 10 January 1941 the new Staffelkapitäne Oblt. Jobst Zibell   und Oblt. Ludwig v. Wittich took command with the Staffel becoming from 12 January 1941 :
1.(H)Pz/11 Oblt. Zibell in Moiselles
5.(H)Pz/11 Oblt. v. Wittich in Dijon
6.(H)Pz/11 Oblt. Fleischmann in Dijon

The emblem of 5. Staffel was introduced by v. Wittich in February 1941 - der rote Teufelskopf or red devil's head - although adapted with a monocle as a representation of the unit's recce mission. The unit flew the Hs 126 in the East and converted to the Fw 189 during February 1942 at Stalino and on 29 March 1943 flew its 1000th sortie..(info via www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de)

Currently on offer here

If you missed it, a small selection of the images follow here;

Pre-war scenes from Wiesbaden (Do 17, He 51, Hs 123, Bf 108)

Pre-war scenes from Wiesbaden (Do 17, He 51, Hs 123, Bf 108). A small sample from another nice set of images currently on offer from koelsch333 Ebay sales and shown here courtesy of Marco.

Henschel Hs 126 and Bf 109 Nahaufklärer NAG reconnaissance Jassy, Rumania 1944

Currently on sale at Thomas Zeh's ebay shop here  are a nice selection of Henschel Hs 126 and Bf 109 G short-range recce Nahaufklärer on the airfields of  Uman, Zilistea and Jassy in Rumania during March-May 1944. Time and location noted on the original negative reel. Click on the pics for a larger image.