Shaken, not stirred…
This is the seventh full resin kit for the Vector company from Moscow - indicated by the imprint “007” on all parts in the box. Indeed, the kit is equally suave as that queen's subject with the same codename.
Henschel 126 is not the first one to spring to mind when someone mentions WWII, or Luftwaffe, or even reconnaissance… Maybe the word parasol would narrow the selection somewhat. So far there were hardly any options for this aircraft in 1/48 scale and all of them were bad. But the things are about to change.
Those fortunate enough to have built any of the Vector's Lavockin kits know that the mastery of arcane arts is no longer required for a well-finished resin model. But even they will be pleasantly surprised upon opening the Hs-126 box. For the rest of the unprepared individuals a light tachycardia and feeling of faintness may be among the probable side effects.
A view to a kill…
This is a “second generation” Vector kit: it is bigger, more ambitious and made with even more panache than the Lavockin family.
Dark olive resin appears no heavier than styrene plastic, with velvety-smooth surfaces and crisp and subtle details. Actually, as I hold the parts in my hand, they remind me much of Tamiya. Interior features are of course much better than any injection kit can offer. The trademark of Vector are super-detailed engines and this kit benefits on that. One even gets a spare cylinder (for more power?).
Cockpit is equipped to the top-spec. There's no rearview mirror on this one, but if there was one, I'd expect it to be self-dimming. The number of small boxes knobs and levers is higher than I care to count and uses the resin to its full potential and perhaps beyond. Carefully check remaining dust in your ziploc bag and you'll probably find few microscopic parts that escaped their bounds.
In a separate small bag one gets no less than 4 photo-etched crosshair sights for the rear-firing MG-15 and two thin metal tubes, purpose of which becomes apparent after studying the instructions: they are part of the sliding canopy mechanism. Yes, if you are careful and precise the main canopy will slide back and forth, just as on the real plane, without compromising any details…
Did I mention that the canopy is made in clear resin? I for one was perfectly happy with the vacu-formed canopies in the Lavockin kits, but those that don't fancy messing with thin acetates now have more solid parts in their hand. The clarity of the canopy is second to none.
The sole trouble I found in this kit is with the wing supports. The main “V” struts appear quite fragile and in my example are also a bit warped - the smaller, secondary struts are even more delicate and cannot be considered as the load-bearing elements. To straighten the warped resin is easy enough with hot air, or water, but the question still remains if the struts are sufficient to hold the parasol wing and provide enough integrity for the finished model. I would suggest reinforcing these by cutting a longitudinal groove along the one side of the strut and laying a steel wire in it, then sealing everything with super-glue or epoxy.
All control surfaces are cast as separate parts, with beautifully straight and sharp trailing edges. The fabric effect is subtle and convincing. Landing gear can be assembled with or without wheel spats, depending on what version one decides to build. Further options include additional side armor plates used on two of the numerous decal options, as well as alternative flame-retarding exhaust.
Apropos choice, there is plenty on the decal sheet. From Finland and Eastern Front, over Poland to Spain and North Africa, there's a camouflage for every taste. Decals made by Begemot are not the sharpest I've ever seen, but overall they are quite fine. From my previous experience I can state that they are also nice to work with and have very thin carrier film.
Never say never again…
This is one of those kits that makes one want to clear the desk with one decisive swipe and start building immediately.
I passed through my “German” phase many years ago and frankly lost taste for anything that is over-advertised in modeling – so, if someone had asked me last week if I was to build a model with Balkenkreuzen any time soon, I'd say a slim chance. But after seeing this kit I stand corrected. With its handsome parasol wing, flair of the thirties and variety of guises, the Henschel 126 simply works as a very interesting modeling subject. No danger of platitude here!
I am impatiently looking forward for the 008 from Vector regardless of the subject. Bravo Sergey and many thanks for valuing my opinion enough to have sent this wonderful kit.
Vector accessories and kits are available online in following locations:
Speaking of clichés, I feel the urge to end with another one from the 007 mythology:
“I asked a barmaid for a vodka martini this weekend. She didn't have any martini. Dang.”
References:
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Henschel Hs 126, Robert Panek & Robert Peczkowski, Mushroom Model Publication
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Henschel Hs 126, Zbigniew Luranc, Wydawnictwo Avia-Press