Heco Tinplate Models (6 Viewers)

My HECO Windfall - Part 1 - Fokker EI Eindecker

A few weeks back I was lucky enough to spot an elusive HECO Fokker Eindecker on E-bay to buy now for a very reasonable price. I have wanted one for ages but had given up hope of ever acquiring one so I could not get my bid in fast enough. The vender then offered me a Sopwith Triplane even cheaper but as I already had one declined the offer but asked if he could let me know if any others were to come available. He replied that he was doing a house clearance in which he believed was another six HECO planes. The vendor true to his word a week or so later kindly sent me the new list from which I took four, as I already had the Albatros DV and Fokker DVII. On receipt of the models it was clear that all were late HECO era models, and appeared to have been made to the higher 'specials standard' and all will appear in the next posts.

Having given up all hope of getting the HECO Eindecker I had acquired two Tin Toys models which I had made into a EII and a EIV see the thread 'Not HECO but maybe Tin Toys or possibly of German origin'. The HECO model was an EIII but as it was slightly smaller I determined to make the slight adjustments to turn it into an EI which was the smallest of the versions.

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For me clearly the obvious choice.to finished the model was as Fokker EI 13/15, the first mount of Saxon Ace Max Immelmann which he shared with Oswald Boelke in FFA 62
 
Mark,

Terrific acquisitions! It couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Also, fantastic conversion to Boelke's Fokker E1! I look forward to seeing the rest of your new warbirds!
 
My HECO Windfall - Part 2 - Captured Nieuport 17.

As with the Eindecker I had despaired of getting another HECO Nieuport 17 (my first I converted into a SSW DI a German copy - post 1318) and then acquired a slightly over-sized Metal Shed one (What Toy Soldier items Have You Acquired in The Last 2 Weeks - post 3884). Therefore the chance of another HECO one was difficult nay impossible to resist.
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The model is now finished as the captured Nieuport 17 N. 2405. Originally it was flown by Brig Jean Lambert of Détachement de Chasse 506 but after capture remained with Jasta 14 for some time and known to have been flown by the Saxon ace Paul Roth. It cannot be denied that the HECO model is superior to the previous Metal Shed one which is currently retired from the collection as I determine its fate.
 
My HECO Windfall - Part 3 - Captured Vickers FB5 Gunbus.

Having seen the pictures of the Vickers Gonbus I knew I had to have it but when it arrived although the model was superb and well detailed it was not really a Vickers Gunbus being more an amalgam of all the various British WWI 'Pusher' planes. I agonised whether to take the plunge and and make the necessary changes to make it into a Vickers Gunbus or indeed a RAF FE2b both of which had examples in German hands or just keep it as a Nondescript British 2 Seat Pusher.

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In the end I decided I would make the necesary changes for it was to remain a Vickers FB5 Gunbus and it would be finished as the first one operational in France No 1621 which joined No. 2 Squadron on 5 February 1915 and acted as an escort to its reconnaissance machines before taking up a similar role with the newly formed No. 16 Squadron a few days later. Unfortunately, on 28/02/16 whilst crewed by Second Lieutenants M. R. Chidson and D. C. W. Sanders it was force landed behind German lines with the new plane falling into enemy hands in tact.
 
You know our good friend Clive's (Greygoose) grandfather was a gunner in one of these beauties in the Great War. The first one of this model I was able to obtain in the purchase of a huge collection went to Clive, and I was able to find mind a few years later.
 
I did not know that Louis, I guess he would have been the Observer as well back then.
 
Yes it really is an awesome Vickers Gunbus which needed no modifications as it was perfect as as was the RE8 That I recall you got with it.
 
My HECO Windfall - Part 4 - Captured Bristol Scout C.

This is truly the highlight of the windfall as without doubt the Bristol Scout was one of the most aesthetically pleasing WWI planes and if I was asked to draw a picture of a typical British WWI biplane then I think it would look something like the Scout. Some time ago I acquired the 'Warpaint' book on the Bristol Scout and immediately wanted to add a scratch built captured one to the collection, and so ensued a fruitless search for information on one possibly captured in tact by the Germans. In fact considering how vulnerable to engine failure and pilot error early WWI planes were it is amazingly that only thee Bristol Scouts were lost behind German lines (two to the Saxon ace Max Immelmann) and all three were completely wrecked.

This left my project in limbo when amazingly as part of my windfall the vender offered me this HECO 'one off' Bristol Scout a model not in their listings. Thinking it may be a Bristol F2b Fighter a plane which HECO made excellent models of I asked for photos. When they arrived they showed it was indeed the Scout which appeared to be superb. When it arrived the model was indeed awesome and better than hoped for even having an iconic 'ad hoc' side mounted machine gun.as sometimes fitted in the field to fire obliquely past the propeller arc in the era prior to syncronised machine guns as used by the early British ace Lanoe Hawker.

Still the problem remained of how to fit it into the collection when my attention was drawn to the 1/72 model offered by MAC Distribution of the Scout in Ottoman Air Service markings. Further research revealed that three were captured intact and used operationally by the Turkish (Ottoman) Air Service which was always chronically short of planes, one in the Dardanelles and two more which were used by the 2nd Sqn./Company Tayyare Boluk in Mesopotamia (Iraq). The flying staff of 2nd Sqn. was mainly German and included at this time at least one Saxon Pilot Unteroffizier Johannes Pommrich from Chemnitz who had one victory prior to succumbing to Typhoid at Mossul on 07/07/17. I discovered that this victory was over Martinsyde Elephant no 7466 which was also captured in tact and used by the Turks before its recapture by the Brits.

Given the noted shortage of planes available to the Ottoman forces in Mesopotamia it is likely that Pommrich flew both planes at some point and so this super Bristol Scout could now be added to the collection.

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Note the side mounted machine gun mounted next to the cockpit a brilliant extra detail by Tony Williams. I am hoping that at some point the Martinsyde Elephant too may also be a possible future project and as 7466 it would make an excellent partner to this Scout.
 
Mark,

What a fantastic conversion! I love the Bristol Scout and could not be happier that you had such a wonderful windfall!
 
Hi Mark,
I fully agree with your comments on the Bristol, it truly is a very British Biplane. The Ottoman dress does suit the plane very well indeed.
Thank You for providing this most interesting background history of the Aircraft. Now this very well converted Tin-Plate piece of art has been supplied with a Soul as well.
Happy hunting and Keep on collecting and converting these fine Heco Models.
Never forget, there are many unportraied planes of the Bayerischen Luftstreitkräfte who deserve you utmost TLC as well.

Thank You for sharing your Heco windfall
Regards
Wolfgang
 
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