Italeri 1/72 Heinkel He 111H “Battle of Britain” Kit No. 1436
Italeri 1/72 Heinkel He 111H “Battle of Britain”
Kit No. 1436
The Heinkel He 111 was one of the most recognizable Luftwaffe bombers of the Second World War and formed the backbone of German bomber operations during the Battle of Britain. Easily identified by its distinctive fully glazed nose and streamlined fuselage, the He 111 served throughout the war in roles ranging from strategic bombing to torpedo attack and transport missions.
Italeri’s 1/72 scale He 111H is a reissue of the company’s classic tooling originally released in the 1970s. Despite its age, the kit remains popular thanks to its impressive size, good overall aircraft shape, and affordable price compared to newer premium Heinkel kits. The model includes multiple configuration options, clear nose glazing, optional bomb or torpedo racks, and markings for several Luftwaffe aircraft.
Builder & Reviewer Feedback
Builders consistently praise the kit for:
Impressive twin-engine bomber presence
Good overall He 111 shape
Clear canopy and nose glazing
Multiple weapons and configuration options
Affordable price point
Excellent Luftwaffe camouflage potential
Strong Battle of Britain subject appeal
Cybermodeler’s first-look review noted:
“Considering this kit was first released in 1976, it has held up rather well.”
The review also praised:
Clear transparent parts
Good optional weapon configurations
Multiple marking choices
Positionable control surfaces
Attractive overall appearance
Facebook build reviews frequently mention:
Surprisingly good fit for the age
Minimal filler needed in major areas
Crisp molding in newer reissues
However, builders and FineScale forum discussions commonly point out several limitations tied to the vintage tooling:
Raised panel lines
Simplified cockpit detail
Sparse interior
Older-style engineering
Limited bomb bay detail
Wing joins may require filler
Softer detail compared to modern Hasegawa or Airfix kits
FineScale forum users specifically described:
“very little in the way of cockpit detail”
Raised panel lines
Basic landing gear and wheel wells
Despite these shortcomings, many builders still recommend the Italeri kit because:
It is much less expensive than Hasegawa alternatives
It builds faster than modern super-detail bombers
It works well as a weathering platform
It has strong nostalgic appeal
YouTube reviewers often describe it as:
“one of the better early bomber kits” despite the older tooling.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner to Intermediate
Features
1/72 scale Heinkel He 111H
Battle of Britain markings
Distinctive glazed nose
Optional bomb or torpedo loadouts
Multiple gun configurations
Positionable elevators and rudder
Twin-engine WWII bomber subject
Large display presence
Recommended Aftermarket
Photo-etch cockpit detail sets
Resin wheels
Vacuum-form canopy
Luftwaffe decal upgrades
Seatbelt detail sets
Bomb bay enhancement kits
Engine detail accessories
A commonly recommended upgrade option is:
Eduard He 111 Photo-Etch Detail Set · $27.77
Cockpit and exterior detail upgrade set designed to enhance the Italeri 1/72 Heinkel He 111 bomber kit.
Paint Suggestions
RLM 70 Black Green
RLM 71 Dark Green
RLM 65 Light Blue
RLM 79 desert camouflage options
Exhaust staining highly recommended
Satin operational finish preferred
Builders frequently recommend faded upper camouflage and heavy exhaust weathering to replicate Battle of Britain and Mediterranean operational aircraft.
Store Recommendation
A classic Luftwaffe bomber kit with strong nostalgic appeal and impressive shelf presence. Best suited for builders wanting a traditional WWII bomber project without the high price or complexity of newer premium-tool Heinkel kits.
