Paul H

I haven't seen many Heller 1:16 DS models built, let alone any conversions. By DS23, I'm assuming that the main thing is the later front end? The reason I ask is that the 1967 facelift applied to all engine versions, not just the 23. Given how the Heller has the front wings moulded separately, that may well make such a conversion easier, but it would still be a huge amount of work especially the headlights, and the bumper is very different too (not sure whether the bonnet was changed though). I've often wondered about such a conversion! In 1:24, the choice is easier, as Ebbro have their first generation (up to '62) DS19, and also their (1967 onwards) DS21 saloon kits. Not cheap though, but full detail and apparently of Tamiya (at its best) quality. All three three bodystyles are available as 1:24 diecasts however they all seem to be various pre '67 ones, which is a pity. The Welly decapotable doesn't look right to my eyes (windscreen screen too short?) but there is another one, which looks much better - they also do a saloon. I must confess that the Altlas editions diecast ID29 Break does look very tempting...!

A few spots from today, but no decent pics (doh...) when I went with my uncle in his MGA to the annual New Year classic car meet that we have been to every year for ages. Turns out that this year, the pub was closed, and only four other cars were there. Present were a '63 Mini, another MGA (a 1600 Mk2, compared to uncle's 1600 Mk1), a '63 AH Sprite Mk2 HAN7, and a '64 Aston Martin DB5 convertible. The latter was in very well used condition (which I love with classic cars), and the owner had clearly had and enjoyed it for a long time 😎 Despite the lack of the expected meet (it is usually very busy!), it was still a very pleasant run out in the country lanes.

It does indeed. Given how tail happy Minor vans are when unladen, adding wider wheels & tyres at the front is an interesting idea... The TÜV are pretty strict, so probably (hopefully!) just the spare, as a wider spare wheel won't fit into the mounting brackets.

Ditto! I've lost track of how many I have started, and which have then been boxed up and put away for whatever reason. The list in my signature is an attempt to remind me so that I don't start any more until those ones are finished - quite a few of them are pretty close to completion too, some essentially done and just requiring the final assembly. I started the 1:8 Jag about 20 years ago, having bought it new in Hamleys, and the Gunze Sprites were started about 15 years ago. This site really hasn't helped, as in addtion to feeding my addiction to car models, it has also introduced me to the delights of planes, ships and armour stuff too...

'Tis indeed! They aren't a car subculture that I know anything about, but certainly one where it's good to see models of this style, and these look very cool!

Prompted by a post elsewhere about this, which mentioned it being an easy click kit, here's the details about it posted on the IPMS Germany site: 05653 Aston Martin DB5 gift set – “Goldfinger” in 1:24 The Aston Martin DB5 is one of the most iconic cars in cinematic history, and now you can own your very own model with the Goldfinger Edition. Perfect for Bond fans of all ages, this 1/24 scale 90 piece level 2 kit (easy-click kit) comes with everything you need to bring your very own Bond vehicle to life. As a highlight for all 007 fans, there is an original film poster for the gift set. Easy to build No sticking Painting for refinement and detail only Typical features from "Goldfinger" buildable Brushes and paints are included From: https://ipmsdeutschland-de.translate.goog/wordpress/2022/12/31/revell-neuheiten-2023-model-kits-2/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp The other big question is does the For Your Eyes Only edition 2CV also listed on there have the additional parts to provide the correct rectangular headlights? I can easily imagine one of these being accompanied by a black painted Welly diecast Peugeot 504...

Ah - found a link now: https://ipmsdeutschland.de/wordpress/2022/12/31/revell-neuheiten-2023-model-kits-2/

As much as I'd also love to buy a new tool 1:24 R16, I suspect that Heller is more likely to reissue their exisitingfull detail 1:20 R16 kit. Were there Gordini versions of the Dauphine, as there were with the R8? If so, that may make one more likely.

Already a thread about it here 🙂: However I haven't seen any mention of it being an easy click model though - do you have a link to that info?

Will be following this with great interest! 1:12 isn't a scale I've considered before, however this kit may change that! How do the kit engine parts compare to your upgrades? Also, out if interest, which software are you using?

Always loved the style of box art on this era of Heller kits, as they always looked more like prints of the subject matter, rather than just the packaging to a product due to how the images are kept clear of text.

Also saw his photos of these over on the Retro Rides forum 😎

Sounds very promising, as their little grey Fergie is a very nice kit so am very tempted by the Massey Ferguson 135. I'm not fussed about the rest of the announcements, but strongly agree that it's good to see Heller releasing their own brand new stuff, as opposed to just their recent reboxing of several ICM kits of French related subjects.

Heller already have regular passenger versions of both which are their own tooling - their 2CV is rather old, but the R4 is quite recent, and based on comparing the instructions, the R4 appears to be more prototypically correct than the Ebbro one. For 2CV kits, Tamiya's is probably the best, and much more prototypically correct than the recent Revell, which like so many of their recent car models, has very toy like suspension detailing. Heller used their 2CV as the basis for their recent Mehari, so I'd be very surprised if these two new kits aren't just newly tooled bodyshells (& any other different parts) for their existing kits. A good way for them to generate extra sales without too much tooling investment too. The big question is what's next. Given all the Golf GTi kits from other manufacturers, there is clearly a market for hot hatch model kits, and a 205GTi would be right up Heller's street. Or even the new Alpine A110...!

In 1:24, as well as the two trailers, there's a Massey Ferguson 135 tractor kit which I haven't seen before. https://www.heller.fr/en/81404-massey-ferguson-135-1000814040 Does anyone know if this is a reissue / rebox, or a new tool? Thinking that one would look very nice next to their previously issued little grey Fergie. The Renault 4 and 2CV vans also announced are presumably modifications / new parts for their exisiting R4 and 2CV cars, and look interesting too: https://www.heller.fr/en/82700-renault-4-fourgonette-f4-1000827000 https://www.heller.fr/en/82701-citroen-2cv-fourgonette-ak-250-1000827010 (I do wish they would do a very early R4 as well - the one where the headlights are not part of the grille).

This. Patience is especially important as light but repeated runs with the scalpel gives much greater control than heavy application. This method worked a treat a few years back when I removed the bootlid and doors from a Tamiya Jag Mk2 bodyshell. Sometimes one of those very thin PE saws can work well too, but as others have stated, these remove material, so the edges will need building up afterwards.

Especially if it comes with the the Q dept winter pack options! Always thought that it was one of the best Bond film car chases. Not so fussed about the cello though...

According to here, their 1:43 Porsche 928 is being reissued: https://www.heller.fr/en/80149-928-1000801490?tags=scale_1:43only_coming_soon

At the time, the 604 and Princess weren't seen in the same way as they are now, especially the 604 in its native France. The K70 has the typical cult VW following (especially due to its rarity in 1:1), so is presumably selling well to all the VW obsessives. It looks like Heller may be very slowly working through their 1:43 back catalogue, so I suspect that we will see some of the other ones in the not too distant future. They already have Citroen & Renault licensing, various Peugeots are branded as such even without any licensing markings on the box, as is the classic Mini, and the K70 was released unbranded, so there appears to be no impediment to the CX reappearing.

The 1:10 RC stuff is presumably much easier & cheaper to tool up though compared to a 1:24 kit (even if just curbside) as all that's needed is a body and some decals / stickers - the RC chassis all seem to be modular. Given the popularity of rally car subjects, the lack of a new tooling Mk2 Scrote is a surprise though. I won't be getting one of these, but am glad that Tamiya are still releasing new kits, as it bodes well for other subjects which may appear. Now if only they would hurry up and retool a plain Z version of their recent full detail 240ZG...

That looks very cool! Whilst I won't be getting one (can't afford it even if I did want to), I am still very glad to see that the correct livery / sponsorship branding hasn't been censored (& this is from someone who can't stand smoking!).

I had an Airfix rebox of a regular (i.e. not Q Branch modded) one, and did the same. Really unimpressed with it, specially as the previous one from that Airfix series which I'd bought just before it was the reboxed Aoshima MGB, which is a really excellent kit.

Thanks Matt - given the roof changes, it looks like a drophead DB4 would be an easier conversion than a coupe (ideal for anyone who wants to create Charlie Croker's one), which would be an interesting version to display alongside a DB5. If I ever have time (hahahaha...), I'd be wanting to convert one into a Lagonda Rapide too.

That was my thought as well, however from memory, the screen sprues are not the same. Makes me wonder if they only scanned* / had access to an OTS, and then they did the FHC shaping afterwards - that would explain the rest of the roof being a bit off too... *Whilst the Revell is probably the best E Type OTS kit in this scale, the headlights are not quite right (compare to Airfix's 1:43, which did get the subtleties of the shape spot-on), which makes me think it wasn't 3D scanned. I recall reading a few years back that Revell were planning a DB5, but that licensing issues put an end to it. Hopefully that has all been sorted out now, as a decent '60s Aston is long overdue. The Doyusha one which was reboxed by Airfix in the '90s was very crude. A question for the Aston experts - would just converting the headlights to regular 7" ones be sufficient to make it into an accurate DB4?

I guess it comes from a childhood spent reading my father's copies of The Automobile magazine, but I have long had a fascination for steam lorries, so a very big thumbs up for that Sentinel!