Special Hobby HA-1112 M-1L Buchón 'Ejercito del Aire' - 1:72 Special Hobby

[Paul A H]

HA-1112 M-1L Buchón 'Ejercito del Aire'

1:72 Special Hobby

 

 

The Hispano Aviación HA-1112 was a licence-built version of the Messerschmitt Bf 109, manufactured in Spain but fitted with a variety of different powerplants. The M1L was the final variant of the type and was named Buchón (Rock Dove). It was fitted with the Rolls Royce Merlin V12 and Rotol propeller, both readily available from UK postwar surplus. The new engine further altered the appearance of the HA-1112, giving it a prominent chin intake. Although hopelessly outdated at the time of its introduction into service in the mid-1950s, the Buchón was considered to be perfectly adequate for its intended role helping to police Spanish territories in Africa. The availability of the anachronistic Buchón was a boon for postwar film makers, who were famously able to use it in place of the Bf 109 in films such as Battle or Britain and Dunkirk.

 

 

 

 

This is a re-release of Special Hobby's Buchón, which first saw the light of day in 2014. The package is identical to that release, right down to the marking options. The kit comprises two sprues of light grey plastic, a small fret of photo etched parts and resin engine exhausts and gun barrels. The cockpit is classic Special Hobby in that it's a mixed media affair, with plastic parts for the main structures and photo etched details for the seat harnesses, rudder pedals and various sidewall details. The overall effect should look great, particularly given the cockpit canopy is moulded as a single part. 

 

Once complete, the cockpit can be sandwiched between the fuselage halves and the upper and lower cowling fixed in place. The latter part includes a photo etched part for the engine air intake grille. In common with most kits of this type, the lower wing is moulded as a single span, with separate upper wing halves. Some basic structural details are moulded onto the inner face of the upper wing, but keen modellers will want to add more detail to this area. The landing gear legs themselves are nice, with photo etched torque links adding a little touch of finesse. The underwing radiators are particularly good, with photo etched parts and the ability to finish them in open or closed position. Ordnance comprises a drop tank and a pair of rockets, while finishing touches such as the gun barrels and exhausts are finished in resin or, in the case of the wings fences, photo etched brass. 

 

 

The decal sheet provides for three options:

• HA-1112 M1L (C4K-9) Buchón, 71-5, nicknamed Mapi, 71. escuadrón, Gupo de Caza 7, Los Rodeos airfield, Tenérife, Canary Islands, 1958. This aircraft is finished in dark green and dark olive over light blue/grey.
• HA-1112 M1L (C.4K-12) Buchón , 71-11, nicknamed Checa, 71. escuadrón, Gupo de Caza 7, Los Rodeos airfield, Tenérife, Canary Islands, 1958. This aircraft is finished in an attractive overall blue scheme.
• HA-1112 M1L (C4K-104) Buchón, 36-407, 364. Escuadron, El Aaiun airbase, Spanish Sahara, 1963. This aircraft is finished in silver over blue.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Special Hobby's Buchón is a nice little kit, and popular too judging by the speed with which it has been reissued. Construction looks straightforward, but some experience with photo etch might be helpful as quite a lot of what is provided is essential to the construction of the model. Overall, this is a nice kit an can be highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of 

[AaCee26]

Hi all,

 

Been there, done that!

 

Take care with the wing-fuselage seam and getting the fuselage in correct width in the cockpit area. At least mine needed quite a lot of fiddling.

 

Cheers,

 

AaCee