Hispano HA-1112 K1L Tripala

and

Wing Cannon & Rocket Set for HA-1112 Tripala / Buchon

Conversions for Hasegawa Kit

Attitude Aviation As, 1/32

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Hispano Aviación HA-1109 and HA-1112 were license-built versions of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G developed in Spain during and after World War II.

In 1942, the Spanish government arranged a manufacturing licence with Messerschmitt AG to build the Bf 109 G-2, the DB 605A engines, propellers, instruments and weapons were to be supplied from Germany. This proved impossible as Germany was incapable of meeting its own needs let alone Spain's, and only twenty-five airframes (without their tails) and less than half the necessary drawings were actually delivered.

Consequently, Hispano Aviación replaced the DB 605A engine with the 1,600 hp HS 89-12Z and the project was renamed Me 109 J by Messerschmitt. 

The HS 89-12Z engine performed a successful flight in a Bf 109 E used as flying testbed, in Barcelona in 1944 and the first HA-1109-J1L made its maiden flight on 2 March 1945 in Seville, using a VDM propeller and lash-up engine mounting.

The remaining twenty-four airframes were flown during 1947-49 with Escher-Wyss props, but never became operational. 

In May 1951, a developed version, the HA-1112-K1L, improved the Hispano-Suiza, HS 17-12Z engine installation, carried either one or two 12.7mm Breda machineguns and Pilatus eight-packs of 80mm rockets and its three-bladed de Havilland Hydromatic propeller earned it the nickname Tripala ("three blades"). It first flew in 1951, and although 200 were planned only 65 were built. 

The Hispano engine was an upright V12 instead of the inverted V12 Daimler-Benz DB 601 & 605 engines used in the Bf 109 but, being of compact design, it fitted the airframe of the Bf 109 well and was able to credibly represent the Bf 109 in the German 1957 film Der Stern von Afrika (The Star of Africa) about Luftwaffe ace Hans-Joachim Marseille.

The original design, starting with the Bf 109 F, had an asymmetrical tail-fin aerofoil with a left deflection to counteract the torque from the Daimler-Benz's counter-clockwise rotation. Because this was left unchanged in the Buchón despite the Hispano V12 having a clockwise rotation, the tail and the engine together induced a right swing on takeoff that was hard to counteract.*

Hispano HA-1112 K1L Tripala Conversion

Attitude Aviation AS has brought us a 1/32 scale resin conversion to transform Hasegawa's Messerschmitt Bf 109 G into this attractive oprtational Hispano-powered variant.

Attitude Aviation's 1/32 scale Hispano HA-1109/1112 K.1L Tripala conversion comprises 13 parts in grey resin, nine parts on a colur photo-etched fret and decals for three aircraft and instructions.

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Thumbnail panels:

The conversion is designed for the classic Hasegawa Bf 109 G kit. Some cutting of the fuselage sides and bottom but nothing that will concern modellers with some experience working with resin conversions. 

Casting of the grey resin parts is perfect. These have been cast by SBS Model from Hungary, so you can be confident in their quality.

The centrepiece is the replacement nose, to which are also added new forward and mid lower nose parts. This is attached to its casting block via six strips. These should be quite fast and easy to clean up.

I was partcularly impressed by the cast mesh texture inside the front of the radiator intake.

Other resin parts include a new spinner, three propeller blades, and exhausts.

The stacks are nicely hollowed out at the end.

The parts are hollow cast so cleanup should be fairly straightforward using a razor saw and a sanding stick. 

A small photo-etched fret supplies a colour instrument panel and some details. Nine parts are on the fret.

Markings are supplied for three aircraft. One is a Spanish HA-1112 K.1L with wing fences, wing cannon and underwing rockets. Please note that these are not supplied in the conversion. I'll be discussing Attitiude Aviation's Wing Gun and Rocket Set, available separately, following this review.

The other two markings are for the "movie star" aircraft used in the German 1957 film Der Stern von Afrika (The Star of Africa) about Luftwaffe ace Hans-Joachim Marseille. One of these is fitted with wing fences and the other is not.

Decals are supplied on two sheets. The colours look good and registration is perfect.

Wing Cannon & Rocket Set for HA-1112 Tripala / Buchon

In conjunction with their 1/32 scale Hispano HA-1112 K1L Tripala Conversion, Attitude Aviation is also offering a Wing Cannon and Rocket Set. This will be required if you are building a Tripala in operational Spanish service.

The set comprises 29 grey resin parts (once again, perfectly cast by S.B.S. Model), four parts in cast brass and two photo-etched frets.

The resin parts include the rocket bodies and heads, fairings and cannon.

The lovely lost wax cast pieces are the four double rocket mounts. The flexibility of the brass will be helpful when lining up the rocket mounts.

The photo-etched parts supply wing fences, wing panels, individual rocket fins and more.

Illustrated instructions are included.

This is a very useful upgrade for anyone building an operational Tripala.

It is great to see this interesting Spanish 109 variant available in 1/32 scale, and the separately available rocket / cannon upgrade is very welcome too. 

Attitude Aviation AS has produced a high quality conversion that will deliver a major transformation to Hasegawa's classic Bf 109 G.

* Background information courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to Attitude Aviation As for the review sample

Review and Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 1 March, 2021
Last updated 2 March, 2021

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