1/48 Special Hobby He -115 B-1
1./KFIGr. 406 Norway 1942 This is definitely NOT the kit to attempt as a first limited run project. It requires a large amount of prep work especially thinning the trailing edges of the flying surfaces and the floats are also areas of concern. Mounting the floats was not a major problem but it’s best to use brass pins to strengthen the attaching points. The supporting diagonal fuselage to float struts were a major PIA. They simply would not fit the fuselage or float attachment points. I ended up cutting the feet of the struts off and attaching them in their proper locations. I then fabricated the struts by laminating plastic strip stock together and sanding them to an airfoil shape. Using calipers I measured the proper length for the struts and cut them to size. These thankfully fit like a glove between the feet. Other than this it’s a typical limited run build, i.e. putty and sand! It was work, but I’m happy with the result of effort put in to it.
15 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Tom Cleaver said on February 23, 2019
Mmmm – tasty! Having done one of these monsters myself, I know what sort of effort went into creating this beauty! Excellent work, great detail, superb paintwork. I love everything about this.
dale travis said on February 23, 2019
Appreciate the nice comments Tom! Yes It’s a real handful, I’ll never do another
Marvin Reyes said on February 24, 2019
Excellent work on this kit. The weathering is restrined, and looks great. Good job!
dale travis said on February 24, 2019
Appreciate the nice comments Marvin!
Matt Minnichsoffer said on February 24, 2019
Really great work on the finish of this kit. We all have those times when the kit wants to fight us.
dale travis said on February 24, 2019
Thank you Matt, this kit will fight anyone that wants to build it!
Louis Gardner said on February 24, 2019
This is something that you just don’t see built very often……………. and it looks wonderful !!! It looks like you have prevailed over this one. Well done my friend……………..
“liked”
dale travis said on February 24, 2019
Thanks Louis, I know why you don’t see this kit built very often!
neil foster said on February 24, 2019
Fantastic job on this Dale , I had to smile at your comment “I’ll never do another” ,I think most of us have dragged ourselves over the finishing line of a kit we wish we’d never started but then refused to give up on ,my Heller Nordatlas springs to mind.
Well you’re perseverance paid off so well done.
dale travis said on February 24, 2019
Thanks Neil for your nice comments!
Csaba said on February 24, 2019
Great job, it looks really nice!
Special Hobby kits are indeed not the easiest to build, but the company has a really nice product range of rare types. I have been building a pan older 1:72 scale kit from them, and yes, it requires a LOT of dry fitting and sanding and scratch building and aaaa…. But it will look great at the end. 🙂
dale travis said on February 24, 2019
Thanks Csaba. I actually like limited run kits as I like rarer types of planes. I’ve built about 16 all in 1/48. These kits do give a sense of accomplishment when completed .
Tom Bebout said on February 24, 2019
Dale it appears for all your troubles it came out looking very nice. I like it, especially the paint job, really sharp.
dale travis said on February 24, 2019
Thank you. Glad you like it!
Greg Kittinger said on February 24, 2019
An excellent result – love the paint and finishing/weathering work. the 115 to me is one of the most elegant floatplanes, large or small – one of my favorites. This one is an inspiration to perhaps get my 1/72 version out of the stash and onto the bench!
dale travis said on February 24, 2019
Thanks Greg, I also like the elegant lines of the 115. It was reputed to have great sea handling qualities.
David Paul Cope said on February 24, 2019
Congratulations, impressive job of difficult kit!
I completed one of these recently and totally agree that it’s a handful, much easier to list it’s pro’s than it’s con’s, it has way too many faults to rectify fully. I’d be interested to know if you have any issues with the plastic not wanting to glue together? I had a major problem with the fuselage and one of the wings cracking open!
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
dale travis said on February 24, 2019
Thanks David, your build looks great! I like the water base. I did have a problem only on the upper fuselage just in front of the fin, It popped open several times and had to re cemented, lightly sanded and touched up with paint.
Paul Mahoney said on February 25, 2019
Very nice! One of my favorite a/c, and I have this kit, but haven’t built up the courage to tackle it yet. Your comments about the kit made me think I made the right decision. Your finished result looks superb – love it.
dale travis said on February 25, 2019
Thanks very much for your positive comments!
Jeff Bailey said on February 27, 2019
Outstanding! From the way others have commented regarding this kit, you did a great job with a VERY difficult kit.
dale travis said on February 27, 2019
Thank for the nice comment!