Paul H

Lovely work & many thanks for sharing! I always enjoy seeing models like these It is indeed! Don't think I've seen pics of a built one before - just the Coupe Napoleon that Italeri also did, and which I assume it shares many of the sprues with. I have a Coupe Napoleon, but haven't found a Berline de Voyage kit yet. I've often thought that Lindberg's Wienberger kit would be a good basis for an Esders roadster This is the likely fate for the one I have. I built one of these a while back - let me know if you want any tips as there are a few areas to watch out for Btw, the 1:16 Bandai / Entex / Fuman Royale is the Binder Coupe de Ville, which whilst visually similar, is a poorly proportioned copy of the Coupe Napoleon.

That looks fantastic!

Based on the features alone, it could also be a Setter or Retriever, but comparing the size relative to the soldier figures, I'm thinking it's much more likely to be a Springer or Cocker Spaniel. Masterbox included a Setter with their RAF Pilots set, and that is much bigger. However it could of course be painted as whichever breed the builder wants!

Someone has done a whitemetal MGA in 1:24 - think it was Wills / SE Finecast, as opposed to K&R Replicas but can't remember. I am certainly after an MGA so I can build one as my uncle's car. In the meantime, I'm modifying (& correcting...) a Revell 1:18 diecast. Isn't it 1:32 though, rather than 1:24? Yay - someone as sick and twisted as me!!! There have been a few resin transkits of the Elf - not sure if they are still available though.

Whilst there isn't a plastic P1800 or Amazon, there are the AirTrax resin ones... I'm still surprised that no kit manufacturer has issued one of Hans Ledwinka's big prewar Tatra streamliners in 1:35 for the military modellers, as I'd expect it to be very popular, given the numerous other staff car offerings available. If going for the military market, it would probably be a T77A or T87, although perhaps also the smaller T97, rather than the earlier T77. I'd rather have one in 1:24 though!!! There's the Revell USA one which I think is full detail, and the (ex) Monogram curbside one, which Revell AG reboxed about ten years ago. From what I have read, the shape on the Revell USA one isn't great, but Monogram one is meant to be very accurate in shape, and lacking only some panel lines around the engine cover. These were easy to add when I built my one (now in the parts box as the paint went horribly wrong...). However, I thought it was a very nice kit, and due to its simplicity, it all went together well.

I must confess that the only Heller airplane kit I have is their Dragon Rapide, but based on that, I'd happily consider their other plane kits if the subject matter was right What's different / special about those? Are they Heller's version of Airfix's Vintage Classics?

Difficult to say for certain, but from what I can see, the dog looks like a spaniel.

Given that its role in the recent Bond films, a decent one of these is presumably a license to print money, even without the optional extras. However, I wonder if, as a result, that the licensing is the issue? The lack of a new DB5, or even the re-release of the Doyusha one is very surprising. Even if we only get the DB5, a DB4 would not be that hard a conversion at home - and a drophead would go very nicely with either Heller or Revell's E Type OTS & FHC, in addition to the Tamiya & Revell Mini Coopers, and Hasegawa's Muira...

Not 100% sure, but I think the Revell one is indeed the Heller kit. Are the Chummy ones in white metal? If so, that sounds like the Wills Finecast kit. The rally version has the works style hardtop. Not sure if it is available yet, but its re-release has been announced by Aoshima & a few of the usual UK suppliers have it on pre-order. I am very tempted to get one too. However, if not fussed about the hardtop, the rubber bumper version is the one to get, as not only does it have the additional Rostyle wheels, but the chrome bumper kit doesn't have all the tonneau cover options (can't remember which off the top of my head) as at least one of them is on the same sprue as the rubber bumpers. However, the rubber bumper car includes all the parts from the chrome bumper one too.

Fully agree, especially regarding international appeal. However I do wonder if those behind the Volvo 242 Turbo are also considering a race version of the SD1, since it was visible in the box art on the first release of the Volvo. Thus it would find buyers as part of the series. As it is, Ebbro created various French cars recently (R4 & van, 2CV van & pickup, as well as their DS19 & 21) rather than Heller (I know they also have an R4), so there is clearly international appeal for more mundane vehicles such as those (the DS definately not being mundane!). What UK cars have similar appeal, but which haven't been modelled? I'm thinking predominantly sports cars, such as MG, AH & Triumph, but there must be other stuff. The HSR and Sunbeam would also generate rally variants, so I could see that being popular - the Sunbeam having the cachet of the Lotus branding too, which would no doubt help. Given the popularity of old Fords (especially rwd ones), anything that would appeal to that fanbase would be successful, in addition to regular model builders. Cortina, Capri, Escort... It's surprising that there isn't a roadcar version of the recent Escort Mk1 rally car. The Capri would also appeal to the European / German market too. Make the second release of the Alvis a TD21 Series 2 please! An Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire would be nice, but only a few in the UK and Australia would probably buy one. If pure wishlisting, then pretty much any twin cam Riley, whether it be the prewar gems such as the Imp, MPH, Sprite, Lynx, and Kestrel, or the postwar RMA-H series. Oh, and a William Towns Lagonda...

Looking forward to the next update! Also, did you need to do anything to make the doors fit so well?

To avoid taking this thread off topic, I've started one in the car section to discuss UK cars that have not been kitted

Prompted by a discussion on Heller's (excellent) range of French classic vehicles in 1:24, I was wondering what UK cars people think are obvious ommissions from the 1:24 plastic kits that are / have been available? Ones that spring to mind are: Morris Minor (plenty of cope for lots of variants, including commercials - I know there are a couple of resin ones, but I think the shapes of both look wrong). a later Spridget (race and / or rally variants could be easily spun off from both). This would surely be as good a seller as the Aoshima MGB? TRs, to continue what Gunze started with their TR2 to 3A series - if a 4A rather than a 4, it could share a lot of the same sprues as a 5 or 6. Lotus Cortina Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1980s one) Rover SD1 Vitesse touring car (well, a Volvo 242 Turbo has been kitted recently!!!) Lotus Elise - lack of one is very surprising. Any TVR! In terms of new tools of previously kitted subjects, a decent, full detail Aston DB5 is an obvious omission, and a decent new tool big Healey (options for road and rally variants) is also overdue. I reckon all of these are commercially viable, based on other, not too dissimilar subject matter that has been tooled recently, and not just by Heller! Oh, and I hasten to add, that this is not my wishlist, rather subjects I am surprised haven't been available. What do you all think, and what else is strangely absent?

There are a few in that range which I reckon would still sell, e.g. the Range Rover, XJS, L-R S3 109 station wagon, Alpine A310, Alfasud, Merc SL, first gen BMW 6 series, Porsche 928 are all subjects that would still be popular. No so sure about the Austin Princess, Citroen CX, Pug 604, first gen Rover SD1 and Renault 30 as they are mostly forgotten now* - I guess it all depends on how they market them though - those could be used as part of BL / Citroen / Peugeot multipack sets along with the ones with more mainstream appeal. TBH, the older models in that 1:43 series (mainly '50s Citroens & Peugeots) are currently available already, so maybe we may see some of the others in time. *I'd happily buy a Princess & 604 for the sort of price that the currently released 1:43s are available at. I already have a Humbrol boxed SD1 & whilst I haven't built it, it looks like a very decent kit.

Fully agree. Whilst there are other flaws / shortcuts / simplification in detail elsewhere (e.g. the way the top wishbone is moulded with the front subframe), they do not jump out, are easily tweaked by those who would spot them, and the overall engineering behind the kit looks brilliant. Despite those, it had the potential to be truly fantastic, if only the shape was right... I really wanted this to be the ultimate E Type kit. Even though I have several Hellers (both OTS & FHC) & a Gunze OTS, I would definately be buying the Revell FHC were it not for the issue with the shape. I would even be happy with a curbside, if that was the trade off for accuracy! As it is, I may still get one (possibly the OTS), but am no longer in any rush & it won't be jumping to the front of the building queue.

Fully agree on all counts! A couple of the first car kits I built fifteen years ago when I took up the hobby again as an adult were from Heller's classic car range (Bugatti T50 & M-B 500K). Despite (or perhaps because of!) Heller's unique way of doing things, I really enjoyed building both (as an amateur, I was still able to produce a decent model although they are now awaiting repair having suffered in several house moves), and was hooked! In terms of UK cars, I'd love to see stuff like a Morris Minor (plenty of cope for lots of variants - I know there are a couple of resin ones, but I think the shapes of both look wrong), and a decent big Healey, as well as a later Spridget (race and / or rally variants could be spun off from both). Some later TRs would be good too, to continue what Gunze started with their TR2 to 3A series - if a 4A rather than a 4, it could share a lot of the same sprues as a 5 or 6). I reckon all of these are commercially viable. In the meantime, I await with interest what Heller's next old French car release will be! Would love to see a Panhard or some Peugeots. As regards the comments on new toolings, I am only familar with their car kits, but they have been steadily releasing new subject matter in addition to the reissuing of older subjects. In terms of reboxing, it goes both ways, with Revell reboxing Heller's vintage Bentley a few years ago.

In terms of packaging, it appears that Heller's own kits have 'Fabrique en France' printed under their logo, whereas their reboxes of other companies tooling do not.

That looks very smart, and great paintwork - whilst as you say, the normal colour but it really does suit them. This is making me regret even more selling the unbuilt one that I had!

Just had a look for the Protar version - ouch at the prices...

Fantastic level of detail, and the finishes are very effective!

Not sure about the film - haven't seen it for ages! It's probably either one of these or perhaps the Peugeot equivalent? Annoyingly, the usual source for such questions, the IMCDB website appears to be offline. As for the Bonner Chipmunk, that's still early days. I've test fitted the major parts of the donor kit, and am about to start making the new, extended cowling. I had all the dimensions somewhere for the length increase, and also the size of the new spinner (I measured these directly off the former used to make it), but have mislaid them so will have to ask Bill again when I next see him, which will probably be as soon as the lockdown is over. If I ask nicely enough (& have finished the current CAD work I'm doing for him) I may be able to borrow the cowling drawings, but reckon I have enough pics to eyeball it. I suspect I will have to make two models of it though, and so I'm still thinking about whether to 3D print the new nose. However, once I am a bit further along, I will start a thread for it.

This has been on Heller's to-be-released list for quite a few years now, but now looks like it is becoming reality, with both civilian and gendarmerie releases: https://www.heller.fr/en/80743-renault-estafette-new-mould-1000807430 https://www.heller.fr/en/80742-renault-alouette-gendarmerie-new-mould-1000807420 Heller's social media also has pics of the sprues: https://www.facebook.com/heller.fr/photos/a.100962021719016/140329837782234/ https://www.facebook.com/heller.fr/photos/175415954273622 (in other news, they are also reissuing their Bugatti EB110 )

That's a pity. I was really looking forward to this one! There was a rumour a while back that Revell AG were going to do a new tool Aston DB5, but that it too was scuppered by the licensing, so it wouldn't be the first time. However, was the Fangio car a re-issue, or a new tool?

The Rootes Arrow series are tough beasties, as proven on the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon but mostly forgotten now compared to the equivalent Ford. A friend has an early Minx estate (in pretty much the same colour as the spoof box art), which he has used daily for at least ten years now.

That looks fantastic - and whilst the rally versions are very cool, it's great to see one built as a regular road car. Yes, come on Tamiya... this would be one modern car kit that I would definately buy!