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Jaime Carreon
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Heinkel He-115, Matchbox 1/72

April 4, 2016 · in Aviation · · 10 · 4.3K

My first completed build of the new year is the venerable He-115, a kit that I think was first issued the year I graduated from high school back in the '70's. It's also the first model to come out of my new model room. Built pretty much from the box with a scratchbuilt cockpit and nose compartment cobbled together from bits and pieces in the junk box. Not much of it can be seen through the rather thick canopy, but it looks better than a dark hole. Standard Luftwaffe maritime scheme of RLM 72 / 73 / 65 done with my usual Model Master enamels. The winter whitewash was applied with a soft brush and thinned off white acrylic craft paint, using internet photos as a guide. Decals are from the current Revell issue of this kit, representing a machine from Kustenfliegergruppe 406 based in Norway in 1941. Joe Caputo was kind enough to provide the swastikas from his dungeon.

I'm told that Extratech makes a photoetch cockpit set for this kit, and a vac canopy may still be available from Falcon. The cost of these far exceed the 2 bucks this kit would cost at a swap meet. This kit came to me when my friend Darin decided to concentrate on 1/32 models and shipped me a box full of smaller scale flying boats!

Remember, the old guys are building old kits and having a lot of fun doing it!

Reader reactions:
10  Awesome

10 additional images. Click to enlarge.


10 responses

  1. Jaime, one I don't see built all that often. Really looks good, too. And in the scheme that I want to do, as well. Nice job on the "distemper", where these operated, I suspect they took a beating.

  2. Fun is what it's all about, sir...that winter scheme looks exactly like it probably did when hastily applied in the field. The only thing that I'd take "exception" to is that of your work table. It's much to clean, neat & organized. Heaven knows how you EVER get anything done! LOL 🙂

  3. You obviously enjoyed building this, Jaime, and your enjoyment shows through in the finished model, great stuff!

  4. Great results on a $2 investment……who says you can get good results from old kits? Great first completion from the new model room.

  5. Jaime - looks great! I have this same kit in stash and need to get to it sometime (after the F-4 group build, and the Skyraider...). Love the distemper treatment - I was thinking of something similar on my Bv 138 that is also sitting on the on-deck shelf.

  6. This is a trip down memory lane for me! Built this one as a young lad. You did an awesome job on this one. Well done Jaime!

  7. Great build, unusual subject.

  8. Well done Jaime. Proof that every once in a while something comes out the way we wanted it to. Thanks for the inspiration.

  9. You've done a great job, Jaime.

  10. I'd never know that was that Auld Klunker if you hadn't said so. Nice work. I particularly like the temporary winter scheme.

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