Henschel Hs 123 A-1
& Henschel Hs 123 B-1

GasPatch Models, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

G.W.H.s 1/48 scale T-33A Shooting Star will be available online from Squadron.com

The Henschel Hs 123 was a single-seat biplane dive bomber and close-support attack aircraft flown by the German Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War and the early to midpoint of World War II. It proved to be robust, durable and effective especially in severe conditions. It continued to see front-line service until 1944, only to be withdrawn due to a lack of serviceable airframes and spare parts (production ended in 1940).*

*Background information adapted from Wikipedia

(I recommend that you follow the link above to read the detailed history of the development and operational record of these remarkable aircraft that were used with good effect right up until 1944 despite their apparent obsolescence. It's an interesting story).

GasPatch Models

GasPatch Models was established in 2011, initially producing high quality resin and photo-etched accessories, mainly for WWI aircraft but eventually expanding their field of interest to cover pre-war and WWII in 1/48, 1/32, 1/35, 1/24 and 1/16 as well.

In 2013, GasPatch released their first injection moulded model, a Salmson 2A2. This was a very impressive debut offering. A reboxed Japanese ILA Otsu 1 Salmson 2A2 followed in 2014.

Rob Baumgartner reviewed this kit on HyperScale.

GasPatch Models has released two models simultaneously:

• Kit No. 16-48095 - Henschel Hs 123 A-1

• Kit No. 16-48096 - Henschel Hs 123 B-1

The kits share most parts in common but they feature different upper wing parts. The A-1 has a partially fabric covered upper wing, while the B-1 has all-metal upper wings. These parts are on dedicated sprues in each kit.

I will initially describe the contents of the Hs 123 A-1, and will cover the differences in the B-1 kit at the end of this review.

GasPatch Models' 1/48 scale Henschel Hs 123 A-1 comprises:

• 167 parts in medium grey coloured plastic

• three clear plastic parts

• around 44 photo-etched parts on one fret

• two parts on printed acetate sheet (gunsight reflectors)

• self adhesive die-cut canopy mask

• die-cut cardboard alignment jig for landing gear

• markings for five aircraft.

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The first thing that struck me was the overall quality of the package. The parts are packed into a stout all-colour box.

The plastic parts feature diverse surface textures. This between-the-wars design featured attributes of contemporary aircraft and older biplanes, which gives GasPatch a mixed canvas to deliver crisply recessed panel lines and raised rivets on metal sections, with rib tapes and fabric texture elsewhere.

All surface textures are beautifully executed.

Construction commences in the cockpit. This is extremely well detailed, with photo-etched harness straps and a perforated cover for the oxygen bottle. Structural detail is moulded to the inside of the fuselage and detail is built up from plastic and photo-etched parts.

The "bottomless" nature of the cockpit is accurately depcited with the pilot's seat suspended over the fuselage floor. The instrument panel includes individual dial decals.

The cockpit doors on each side of the fuselage are separate parts and could be posed open to show off more of that lovely detail.

The bottom wing is split into a full-span lower part and separate left and right upper halves. Optional bottom wing parts are supplied for spatted and semi-spatted undercarriage (Part D6), or unspatted undercarriage (Part D7).

The upper wings are split into full-span top and bottom halves. Ailerons are separate parts

The struts are about as easy as you could imagine for a biplane. The interplane struts are one large piece per side, which are keyed into deep locating positions on the top and bottom wings. The cabane struts are moulded as one piece each, and also feature nice positive locating holes. Rigging is minimal - each side needs just two cables near the inside of the cabane struts.

The elevators, rudder and rudder trim tab are all separate parts. The rudder trim actuator is supplied as a photo-etched part.

The dive brakes are separate parts and, if I understand the instructions correctly, it appears that these can be made workable.

Two styles of rollover headrests are included, although for two of the marking options the headrests are not fitted at all.

GasPatch has supplied self-adhesive masks for the windscreen. These are for the inside and outside.

Bombs and racks are included for the bottom of the wings, with optional position sway braces on the racks if the bombs are not installed.

The landing gear may be built with fully spatted, semi-spatted and unspatted wheels. Alternative wheel, strut and spat parts are supplied for each option. A laser cut cardboard jig for setting the wheel and undercarriage alignment is also included.

The engine is nicely detailed with fine cooling fins, separate pairs of pushrods and a one-piece intake manifold behind. The exhaust manifolds are made up from six additional plastic pieces.

The engine cowling is broken down into nine separate parts. This looks a bit scary but I will refrain fromnfurther comment until I have had a chance to see how it all fits together. A triangular brace is fitted to the engine cowl opening.

Instructions are laid out over 19 steps in a 24 page booklet, which also includes four-view full-colour illustrations of the five marking options.

The instructions are clearly drawn and logically laid out.

Markings (Hs 123 A-1)

Markings are supplied for five varied options, from the Spanish Civil War to China to the Eastern Front.

The decals are well printed and in register. They are glossy in finish and have been produced by Cartograf.

The Hs 123 B-1 kit differs from the A-1 in that it is supplied with a different upper wing half sprue.

This sprue supplies the all-metal upper halves for the top and bottom wings.

Metal skinned rudder and elevators are also included on this new sprue.

Five different marking options are also offered, including one for Adolf Galland in Poland.

The decals are also produced by Cartograf.

This is a beautiful package from GasPatch Models. There is nothing limited run about the plastic parts - they are world class. Surface texture is excellent, as is the detail overall.

All the options are useful and the big Cartograf-printed decal sheet offers plenty of variety for both boxings.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to GasPatch Models for the samples.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2017 by Brett Green
Page Created 27 June, 2017
Last updated 28 June, 2017

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