Flettner Fl 282 V-21 Kolibri, MiniArt No.41003, 1/35
The Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri ("Hummingbird") is a single-seat intermeshing rotor helicopter, or synchropter, produced by Anton Flettner of Germany. The Flettner Fl 282 was probably the world's first series production helicopter.
Being designed in the Second World War, this was one of the many technological miracles that Germans came up with. It was produced in only 24 units, between 1942 – 1945, and it is considered a milestone in aviation history.
The first helicopter to enter service with the German forces in 1939 was the Fl 265. The six machines built were prototypes for what followed, the Flettner Fl 282. The Fl 282 shared the same intermeshing rotor design as the Fl 265, this arrangement involving two individual rotor blades crossing one another, without touching, while rotating in opposite directions and on individual masts to achieve the desired vertical lift. The Fl 282 was given an all-new engine in the Bramo Sh.14A, a 7-cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engine outputting at 160 horsepower.
Flight testing of the Fl 282 began in 1941 and involved two prototypes. These two prototypes were given enclosed cockpits while follow-up units were to feature the open-air design. It was the German Navy that saw the value inherent in the Flettner helicopter and ordered fifteen aircraft. Prototypes were designated Fl 282 V1 through V7 and followed by the Fl 282A-1 single-seat reconnaissance version for launching/retrieval from German warships. The Fl 282B-2 designation was given to the submarine-launched, single-seat reconnaissance variants, which were actually two seaters, with a second seat to the rear of the frame. This was for an observer in the scout, reconnaissance or mission liaison role.
The Luftwaffe was granted a production order for 1000 Fl 282 units in 1944, these to be manufactured by the BMW factory. These plans were disrupted when the plant designated to build them was bombed by allied aircraft. In 1945, the Luftwaffe went on to establish a dedicated reconnaissance wing through Transportstaffel 40 (TS/40) which was to stock several Fl 282 helicopters and based out of the Muhldorf District of Bavaria.
After the war, its designer, Anton Flettner eventually went to work with the American Kaman Helicopter company, renowned for using the twin intermeshing rotors on canted masts that Flettner had introduced.
The kit in 1/35 scale (No.41003)
This MiniArt kit (185 parts) is one of the, so far, three versions released by MiniArt up to date.
The model comes on eight sprues of grey styrene, a small sheet of Photo - Etched brass and a decal sheet. The moulding is superb with no sign of flash or other imperfections. The model depicts V-21 which is the prototype for the two seat submarine variant, later to become the Fl 282B-2.
The sprues feature a very detailed engine, realistic rotor blades, engraved wheels and the tubular frame fuselage. The Fl 282 was designed as a tubular construction covered with fabric and with open cockpit. The fuel tanks are on the sides in this particular version (V-21). A small Photo-Etched plate is included, featuring seatbelts and some structure elements.
The engine is a model in itself with many small detailed parts. The four piece gearbox is attached to the crankcase followed by the output shaft. The forward section of the upper fuselage, containing the main rotor gearbox mounting frames is then attached, as are the horizontal tailplanes, control runs and a two bladed propeller and protective ring to the front of the engine which sits inside the fuselage.
The main rotor gearbox is made up from thirty five parts, and includes all the control linkages, filters, rotor masts and other fittings. The most complex part of the build is the assembly of the open cockpit. There are four sections of tubular frame that make the cockpit area, then it is fitted out with the control column, control linkages, collective lever, rudder pedals, throttle quadrant with linkages attached and the instrument panel with decal instrument faces. The side panels can be made detachable and you will be able to pose the machine with the engine, gearbox and ancillaries visible.
There are two fuel tanks, each made up from four parts, the seven piece main undercarriage, and five piece nose undercarriage. The decal sheet provides markings for one aircraft and there appear to be two variations for it. There are also stencils and swastikas (split cleverly into two halves).
Another Miniart's 1/35th scale version of the Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri ("Hummingbird") is the "V-23" variant that saw service with not just the Germans but in testing with the US services also - this variant having five different marking choices.
Three FI 282’s were discovered by the Allies in a serviceable condition in 1945. All of the others had been lost in service or destroyed. Of these three machines, Fl 282 V15 and V23 were taken to the USA, with a third FI 282 V16 being claimed by the USSR. Fl 282 V23 was taken by the Americans after the war and now resides at the United States Air Force Museum, Dayton, Ohio.
In Conclusion…
If you haven’t enjoyed a MiniArt kit until now, the Kolibri kit is an ideal start. The kit has the typical MiniArt engineering and design approach and it looks very promising. The quality is very good, details are superb and the price is lower than what you would expect for such an exotic model. Every helicopter builder should be interested in this historical subject.
With the quality provided and the low price tag, this kit is worth the try, even if you are not too interested in helicopters. It isn’t so big when completed and it isn’t complex too. For Luftwaffe fans it represents a very nice surprise. And for helicopter lovers it is a must have!
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