HPH 1:32 Heinkel He 111P 'Cutaway Kit'

[James H]

1:32 Heinkel He 111P 'Cutaway Kit'
Additional Interior Construction kit for Revell model kit
HPH
Catalogue # 32021
Available from HPH for €118,00

 

We had a lot of interest in the cutaway concept model with our recent 1:32 Desktop Mustang review, so we thought we'd continue this here today with our review of the HPH 'Cutaway Kit' detail set for the large 1:32 Revell He 111P kit. If the internal, structural aspects of aircraft appeal to you, and you are savvy with resin and photo etch, then this detail set could possibly provide you with the ultimate in internal-appeal when it comes to using a plastic, base kit.

 

 

I had a sneaking suspicion that this detail set would come in a relatively large box, and when our hard-working postman visited last week, it pretty much confirmed it. HPH like to ensure that their kits reach you in one piece, and as usual, this was wrapped in layers of corrugated cardboard, and numerous layers of black plastic sheeting. The actual box itself is very sturdy too, with a top lifting lid, adorned with a side profile drawing of a cutaway He 111 fuselage.

 

 

The depiction also indicates that this model can be built in TWO styles. The intended and preferred method is a half model (port side), with a half port wing. You can, if you wish build it in a complete format, as parts are included to detail the interior starboard side too. If you wish to build a full aircraft, then you could produce a cutaway model or a diorama model with combat damage etc. The possibilities are huge, and of course, you are building this for you, so you have to answer to no one if you choose to close it up after construction.

 

 

Inside the box, the various bags of resin parts are protected by a copious amount of bubble-wrap sheet, and the box has been compartmented so that nothing rattles about. An Eduard-made set of etch, specifically for this release, has been included too, and the instructions are included again, on a CD in digital format. You do have to know at this stage, that you will need to purchase a few other items in order to maximise this release. Even though this set has a fully detailed fuselage bomb bay area, the actual bomb racks suggested for use are Eduard's, so consider purchasing a set to complement the amazing internal structural detail. You will also need some seatbelts. HPH have suggested either the HGW or Eduard releases. Lastly, consider the He 111 exterior set from Eduard too.

If you get hungry at the outset of this project, the customary Belgian chocolate inside the box, should help a little.

 

 

The first thing you will need to do is to absorb the instructions a little. This set certainly isn't designed for a newcomer to resin or super-detailing. You will need to be rather handy with saws, putty and something to remove internally moulded plastic detail before you can start to think about adding anything from this HPH set.

 

This would usually be quite a challenging set to tackle in terms of how to write a review, as this is no ordinary upgrade path, but let's see what we can do in order to assess what's in the box, how it fits, and what quality everything is. Having already reviewed the Catalina, I'm certainly in for high expectations.

 

 

 

 

 

HPH have thankfully split the large number of resin components in this set into various ziplock wallets. The larger parts tend to be clustered together in order to prevent them knocking chunks out of the smaller, and occasionally, more fragile components. One of the two larger wallets contains major size resin parts. These include the cockpit floor, fuselage bulkheads, flying surface structural components, wheel bay ceilings, as well as a number of the smaller, but more robust parts such as the inner bomb bay wall linings, bomb bay walking gantry, and inner cupola liner. An option exists for the 'mattress', on which the bomb aimer lies. A full length version is included, and also a split part one. The split one doesn't look too much like the full length, so perhaps these were simply different versions instead of rolled out/rolled back parts.

 

 

 

 

Some casting blocks will need to be removed, as will a little resin flash and overcast, and also resin webs which cover over doorways etc. The detail on these large parts befits the importance of them as very major, visual elements of the build. Excellent constructional detail can be seen on the bulkheads, whilst the cockpit floor is very refined, again just needing minimal clean-up. No major defects are present. The occasional excess bit of resin or pin-hole will need to be corrected, but when you consider the number of components and the complexity of this set, then that isn't too bad.

 

 

 

 

This large bag does have a smaller one within, and this contains all the tailplane structural ribs. Heinkel didn't produce these as solid ribs, but as a built-up framework instead, in order to achieve a light structure. These various sections are cast flat onto a backing block. You are going to have to take extreme care in removing these backing blocks, as they are about the same thickness as the part itself, and you'll have a lot of grinding to do. I wish HPH had cast these a little more thinly, but I'm presuming this is done to protect the delicate structures.

 

A slightly smaller ziplock wallet contains a number of smaller parts which are concerned with the cockpit and bomb bay. The pilot seat is a separate part to the side mounting frames and a rather realistic-looking cushion. The control column assembly and transmission assembly are also cast separately, and all parts seem easy to remove from their respective blocks. Four blocks contain what appear to be incendiary bombs, but on my sample, some of these have become detached from the casting blocks, although all are intact and have no damage.

 

 

 

 

One of the other numerous parts in this packet contains a replacement resin gondola. This part is beautifully cast, but does contain a few air bubbles, but thankfully, they remain just under the surface, with no breakthrough. You will need to remove the resin webs from the windows, and even out the upper mating surface. The cushions for this area are cast as separate parts.

A small packet within this bag contains the bomb-sight and fire extinguisher for the cockpit.

 

If you've ever seen a HPH kit, you'll know that many parts are actually cast flat, on thin resin sheets. The same applies here, and you'll see this en-masse in the large, last ziplock wallet. There are a number of smaller wallets within this pack, but I'll come to those soon.

 

 

The He 111P set adds detail from the very front of the cockpit, all the way through the fuselage to the very tail extremities. Because of this, there is a lot of internal constructional detail which needs to be added before you can fit out the interior with the various interior area details. As the instructions show, the very first thing that you need to do is to remove the plastic moulded detail, joint the half-wing centre section (first carefully sawing it in half), and then blank the gaping hole in the wing root with an insert which isn't supplied in this set, and will need to be made by you, using measurements on the plans.

 

 

 

Using careful measurement, given in the manual, you need to map out the interior with a soft pencil, so you know where to install the various bulkheads, longerons/stringers, and formers. The longerons and formers are cast onto flat resin sheets, as mentioned. Be careful when installing these, as these come in different sizes which are clearly shown on the instructions. These parts also come in set lengths, so ensure you maximise the usage of these when cutting to length. If you opt to build this model as a half-model study, then you have a little more flexibility, as you have enough resin for both interior sides....and that of course includes the formers.

 

Other flat cast parts include the remaining undercarriage walls (again, enough for port and starboard), fuselage ribs, cockpit walls, rear-facing tail gun and brackets, cockpit parts, radio room and walkway boards. The boards themselves aren't quite flat, so a quick dip in hot water should fix that.

 

 

 

 

 

Those smaller packets contain a combination of the more fragile flat cast parts, and a small number of individual parts for the bomb bay, radio operator/gunner stations, rudder etc. Again, all parts are superbly cast, and no real flaws are apparent. A little flash exists in some places, but at no detriment to the quality of the parts, all of which are superbly mastered, and sharply cast.

 

With regards to the visible detail on instrumentation within the kit, the various radio sets, instrument panels and consoles etc are cast with blank faces in order that you may add the colour photo etch components, ably made by Eduard. The rear of the main instrument panel is cast with the various protrusions which are the back of each instrument. HPH doesn't show any associated wiring for this area, but you know that it would be correct to add at least a little something to this, as would be the case with the radio sets and other internal wiring looms. Take a look at the Aero Detail book which gives some great info on the interior; compartment by compartment.

 

 

Of course, the various rear flying surfaces aren't operated by telepathy, and HPH do show where to fit the various wire linkages through the fuselage length. Wire isn't supplied, and I suggest you use thin styrene rod lengths to simulate this. The path of the various control rods is clearly mapped out for you.

 

I have already mentioned that HPH suggests that you can purchase Eduard detail sets to help supplement their own work. With the bomb bay, you can of course use the Revell kit parts, but why would you use something poor in detail when it would let down the rest of the interior? I say you should definitely use the Eduard set, which we reviewed HERE. You'll need to choose a seatbelt option too. However, this set does come with its own specific PE set, again, produced by Eduard, and packed into one of Eduard's own wallets. This set consists of TWO PE frets. The large one is nickel-plated, and the smaller one also colour-printed.

 

 

 

 

What does the included set add to the model? Well, the smaller colour fret is actually a standard Eduard part, and includes all the radio, instrument and console detail you will need, as well as switch banks, and levers. This fret is also self-adhesive. Having used Eduard's S.A. parts before, I know their glue to be pretty strong, so take care when aligning any layered parts.

 

 

The second fret is rather general, and includes parts for the wheel bays, and all crew compartments within the fuselage. This is a large fret with probably a couple of hundred parts on there, detailing everything from ammunition drums, hydraulics lines, to the smallest cockpit detail. Etch quality really is amazing.

 

How well-appointed are the various crew stations within the He 111? A picture can speak a thousand words, so let HPH's photos of the prototype model show you:

Cockpit

 

 

Bomb Bay

 

 

 

Radio Room

 

 

Rear Fuselage

 

Tail Gun/Tail

 

 

Undercarriage

 

The only anomaly that I can see at present, but might be corrected as I build, is the dinghy stowage area in the upper fuselage spine. Some of the images of the finished model do actually show this in situ, but the instructions seem to omit its construction and fitting. Indeed, I can actually see the parts for this as I progress through them. It's no biggie, as making this small box-compartment, and stuffing it with thick, folded tin foil to simulate the folded life-preserver, should be very easy.

 

Instructions

HPH have included a PDF of their manual on the CD, as well as individual JPG images, should you wish to print out the occasional sheet. I'm a big fan of how these instructions are compiled. Starting with a proper parts plan, you can check off the kit as soon as you get it, and ensure you have no missing parts, and that everything looks as it should. The constructional sequences are in photo-format, and very clear to understand, as are the various sequences where you need to hack and slash the original kit, to prepare it for detailing.

The layout of the various formers and stringers is shown throughout the manual, section per section, but I would be inclined to mark all of this out, from the start, when an empty fuselage shell is far easier to get to grips with. Avail yourself of some Swann Morton 15a blades to remove the pre-moulded Revell detail.

 

Throughout the plans, reference is made to where the Eduard-made photo etch needs to be used, and the resin parts placement is very clear if you cross-reference the parts plan given at the beginning of the manual. It may well be advisable to print these sheets and have them with you at the bench. There is no colour referencing throughout construction, but that's no problem. If you are hard-core enough to build this, then it can rightfully be presumed that you at least have your own reference material, or have access to some.

 

Conclusion
This is no project for the faint-hearted. You'll need a £40 Revell kit (the cheap bit). You'll need some Eduard stuff to ease the way for best effect, and that won't be cheap. HPH's seatbelts are also a worthy investment. You'll also need to be proficient with a razor saw and resin parts, and finally, you'll need to be able to think about 10 stages ahead in order to ensure that everything works in harmony. If that is no issue to you, then I really do recommend that you take a look at this set. I wish HPH had ventured into the interior of the wing construction, and of course, if you can manage to fit an engine into the mix, then that really would be the ultimate in engineering projects. Some resin parts will need a little intermediate cleaning up, but again, if you undertake such a project, this really will be no problem for you.

 

I've read a few comments from modellers who don't understand this technical approach to this set, but the internet is strewn with folks who feel they need to post about something that doesn't really appeal to them. It's the modern way, apparently. If the engineering aspect of aircraft appeals, or you are a natural voyeur, then this should be right up your straße! It won't be a fight that's easily won, but one that will be very rewarding when complete.

 

Very highly recommended

 

James H

 

Our sincere thanks to HPH for the review sample seen here. To purchase directly, click THIS link.

 

[Fran]

Totally insane.... Love it!! Must get one.....

Once again awesome review James!

[mikec]

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Greetings James;

 

 

..... Looks like a nice interior set..............  

 

 

 

Mike

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[RalphSarc]

I have the Revell 1/32 He 111P kit that I'm saving until my skill set improves but I'll never reach the skills needed to achieve a build like this!!

[GentleGiant]

Hello i buy this kit HPH and Revell 1/32 He 111P I found your description very usefull but is it normal i can not see the Picture?

[James H]

These photos were from a redundant Photobucket account unfortunately. I don't think I have the original photos any longer.

[GentleGiant]

O.K. Thank You 

[BD Murdock]

These pics are beautiful !! What a treat!!

[James H]

3 minutes ago, BD Murdock said:

These pics are beautiful !! What a treat!!

Everyone's a joker! 

Try finding forum posts hosted by Photobucket in 2013 that aren't affected 

[GentleGiant]

Hello I start to build this  kit and i have a problem with the tail part ? Look at this pictures. How can i cut the A7,8,9,10,11,12.Thank You 

[James H]

You first need to score around the edge of the part with a scalpel knife and remove the external waste resin. You then need to use a very fine razor saw, such as the RB Productions one, and then carefully remove material from underneath the parts (if possible).

After this, use a piece of abrasive paper (medium grit) and then draw the parts over the paper and slowly sand away the excess resin. Make sure you do this evenly so that it's flat, and use water too so the resin dust doesn't get in the air.

[GentleGiant]

O.K. I will try it the best i can. I apreciate your help Thank You

[James H]

Always a pleasure. Just post if you have questions.

I hope you'll start a build log so we can watch this.

[GentleGiant]

I am o.k. with the Heinkel kit but the resin kit i am not able with that ,i thing that i sale them on ebay :-(