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A two-for-one with this post. I was given two of the same Heller kits (from 1993) and told I could have them for free if I returned one in its completed state. As with any Heller kit I've made, there was no issue in part fitting and the only (minor) issue was that the decals had to soak for a little longer than usual. The Polish version is painted in Vallejo's Model Air line (a brand of paints I've had almost exclusively bad results with) in German Braunviolet, and the Romanian in AK's Real Colors' Grau (1941). I haven't been able to find any colour photos of the olive drab that Poland painted their planes in, but I've read that it was very similar to the Luftwaffe's Braunviolet (which on its own is hard to track down a match for). This is also my first attempt at making a staging setup for my photos. At the time of this photo, it was a work-in-progress, and it remains so. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Polish PZL.23 Karaś, (translated as the Crucian Carp) was a light bomber and reconnaissance plane. Another two-for-one post, this time one is done in the Polish paint scheme and decals (drab) and the other in those of the Royal Romanian Air Force (olive and yellow). The Karaś was produced after the Polish-Soviet war of 1919-21 after the importance of aerial reconnaissance became evident. A new light bomber was also required, so PZL combined the two roles into the Karaś. At the time of its production, it was quite advanced, but the 1930s saw rapid improvements in aviation, so it was nearly considered obsolete by 1939 and the outbreak of the Second World War. At the time of Germany's invasion of Poland, the Karaś was Poland's primary light bomber and recon craft. It was a single Karaś that conducted the first bombing raid on a German factory on September 2nd, and columns of Karaś bombers were responsible for taking out nearly 30% of invading land vehicles. Unfortunately, they had minimal fighter support and their light armour ensured that they suffered heavy losses. After Poland's capitulation, many of the remaining Karaś craft were shipped to Romania to use against the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa.

Hello everybody, This year's theme for my local club display will be the Lockheed Shooting Star in its many incarnations, so my carefully planned Group Builds for 2024 were totally upset by the new priority. I set to work immediately and only later thought that my first choice would nicely fit in the rules of this GB, so let's start with the kit box: This is the very first issue of the Heller kit going back to the early '80s. I got it new to build the Thunderbirds scheme, though the decals were a disappointment and it remained in the stash for some time (40+ years!). Now it was finally time to build it! I have an Xtradecal sheet for multiple countries and will use the Luftwaffe part, this was the starting shot: Thanks for looking!

Saw this car in my LMS a few months back, and picked it up in the hope that it'd be a quick build, Heller's Bugatti T50. The T50 was produced in small numbers between 1930 and 1934, racing in the 24 hour Le Mans event between 1931 and 1935. (Sources: Wikipedia and Supercars.net) OT: interesting that Heller are advertising their ships in this box - I'm currently finishing off a wooden boat (Shallop), and eagerly awaiting a ship kit (HM Armed Cutter Sherbourne) that releases at midnight tonight ... both too early for this GB. Heller have kindly chrome (aluminium?) plated one sprue. Why do car kits have this? The box was sealed, and makes no mention of the chrome, so there is no marketing value to the feature. That metal plating will need stripping.

Hi, this was a spontaneous purchase as it was on sale while I got some other kits. I am waiting for Mach 2 to rerelease their Vostoks, so I can keep going with my "1st of" series. But another rocket cannot hurt It's plain out of the box. I even stuck with the instructions, which didn't go to well with the decals IMHO. Not a lot of detail, even for 1/125 and I briefly considered to detail it myself - and then opted for a quick an easy build. Still, looks ok in the showcase .... As always, thanks for looking, comments welcome. Cheers Here is the rest of my space collection https://photos.app.goo.gl/DLrnifbiBdBnwxfF7 and SciFi https://photos.app.goo.gl/75G5di2pDGK5bh1S9

I am a late starter for the GB as I could not decide on my build. So here it is The box contains two kits, one part started and the other untouched, I may do both if I have the space. As you can see I have decals for both QANTAS and the RAAF. I also have another QANTAS sheet for the later ochre cheatline scheme which I am tending towards.

An old Aurora-Heller kit from 1977, I finished this kit in November of 2022. This was still before I was adding any weathering detail to my models, but by this point I had gotten a good handle on using my airbrush, masking off details and generally improving my paint skills. I would probably do the mottling a little different now, but I'm still happy with this kit overall. Painted nearly entirely with AK Real Colors. I usually like to do a quick write-up when I post these on my social accounts, so I will start pasting those here as well (unless that is frowned upon; let me know if so). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 109K was the last Messerschmitt Bf-109 series fighter to see large scale production and use during the Second World War. The 109s were one of the main backbones of the Luftwaffe during the war, and one of the most advanced fighters of the time. In typical German fashion, there were variants produced constantly in order to keep up with Allied advancements, and the 109s stayed effective throughout. The 'K' variant was the last operational Bf109, created with the intention of streamlining the long list of previous variants into one. This model is specifically the plane of Erich Hartmann, the most successful fighter ace of all time, with 352 Allied craft being shot down credited to him. Known as The Blonde Knight of Germany, Hartmann was only 18 years old when he joined the Luftwaffe, and was not a member of the Nazi Party. After the war he was convicted of war crimes by a Soviet military tribunal, but was released in 1955, and acquitted of all charges in 1997, three years after his death, by the Russian Federation, who stated he was wrongly convicted. After Hartmann's release, he began training US airmen and flight instructors, but was forced into an early retirement after being outspoken about the F-104 being an unsafe aircraft, at which point he became a civilian flight instructor (the F-104 later went on to suffer from many technical issues resulting in non-combat crashes and over a hundred pilots dying in non-combat missions due to the jet's faults). Erich Hartmann died in 1993.

I thought that I would open my account for 2024 with something different and a subject that I am unfamiliar with, so I will get to learn something along the way. The moment I saw the Record I thought that curves typified the rounded shapes of many American and European car manufacturers of the 1950's, add to that the chrome enhancements and I was sold on the idea of building this. I am not sure how far I will get, it depends how I cope with my chemotherapy treatment, but I am hoping that it will keep driving me forwards and give me another target to aim for. Here are photos of the box and contents and I don't intend adding too many bells and whistles so it will be built more or less as it comes. The Box, by John L, on Flickr Body, interior and chassis parts, by John L, on Flickr the shiny bits and tyres, by John L, on Flickr and finally, a set of destructions. by John L, on Flickr Off to check the ol' tinterweb to see what I can find. Cheers for now. John

I'm looking for some opinions as to which 1/72 kit has the more accurate propeller blades, Heller or Italeri? Going a step further, what about the Airfix kit? It's the props themselves that I am interested in. I do not think that there are any other 1/72 kits out there (or real life aircraft) that used the same prop as the Ju.52. TIA.

Hi folk's I noticed looking through the magnificent number of kits already submitted a distinct lack of both French and Heller aircraft.Happy to correct that with this one,picked up for a tenner still in cellophane the Musee issue is on it's way,never seen or built this kit but researching on the net seems a well moulded and liked kit we'll see and might even do the Vichy scheme!

Hello, I anticipated a lot this GB because there are so many wonderful subjects to build! My first will be the prototype which I plan to convert from the Heller F-84G kit. Now superseded by the Tamiya and Academy much better efforts, bust still enjoyable. Pictures to follow. Cheers Fabio

SAAB Sk35C Draken F10, Angelholm, Sweden, 1980s Heller 1/72 conversion The Heller Draken kit contains a Danish two seater option so I initially thought I could produce the Swedish version without too much work - I was wrong! The Swedish version is based on the early Sk35A airframe which has the shorter rear fuselage compared with the later versions. I tried just cutting off the rear fuselage, but finished up rebuilding the whole area aft of the rudder hinge with Milliput. There are all kinds of other differences, such as a single centreline drop tank compared with two and a totally different fin tip.. The kit I used had a lot of plastic shrinkage on wings and fin so I started with a Milliput session and rubdown, followed by a lot of panel line scribing. At the same time I removed the control surfaces from the wings and repositioned them drooped as seems to be the case as the hydraulic pressure bleeds away. Also completely refurbished the cockpit interior and seats. Decals became a bit of an issue but I found numbers and Swedish crowns from the decal bank and made up the stencils from a combination of hand painting and donations from various Superscale sheets. The final result is small but colourful!

This is the Heller 1:72 Arado Ar 196A which was first manufactured in 1979 - I had found an original boxing at a model show a few years ago. I'd expected the kit to be rather basic, as compared to current kits, so I'd searched for some extras. Fortunately it had been re-boxed by Revell so I was able to get: - a photo-etch set from Eduard (very comprehensive and including a complete new cabin and really nice detail to add to the floats) - a replacement cowling from Quickboost (a single piece avoiding the difficult seam in the kit parts) - new exhausts from Quickboost (the kit does not provide exhausts) - a replacement gun for the navigator from Eduard (fantastic detail but ever so teeny) - decals from Kora for two schemes aboard the Tirpitz (I'd expected the kit decals to be almost unusable, because of their age, but in fact they were missing) During the build I also bought a 'transport trolley' from Kora. I thought a floatplane on a trolley would look rather different - although buying it did change my weathering approach. I had originally thought of a heavily weathered plane as aboard Tirpitz but settled on an 'as new' approach showing the floatplane as if it had just rolled out and was ready for its' pre-delivery test flight. I did a WIP thread which is here: The proportion of p.e. to plastic was a new one for me and a challenge at times but I'm happy with the end result and if anyone has this kit I would definitely recommend the Eduard set. Here's the photos. all the best Mark The Eduard replacement cabin: The transport trolley - a little resin kit from Kora: Thanks for looking Mark

Looks like after its still future E-2 Hawkeye (thread), Heller Gmbh is to release a 1/72nd Grumman C-2 Greyhound - ref. 82303 et 56303 (with brush & paints) Source: https://www.master194.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1652352#p1652352 V.P.

Some time ago, I can't remember if it was spring of 2021 or earlier, I started a 'quick' project involving a few T-6 builds: I like this subject a lot and already have a few built to which I wanted to add more. Unfortunately, as it often happens, this transformed in a lenghty/stalled/frozen project, mainly due to building kits of three different makes which had different issues to solve. In the end I had to face this as three separate builds to make some progress and here I am hoping to complete the whole project. The first iteration is an Heller T-6 in the last 'Red Chequers' livery, it is actually complete but for some reason I stopped before applying the final satin coat. Will have to remember the (surely good) reasons for that before doing anything and finding later why it was a mistake! While waiting for my brain cells to work on that, I present the second build, which is an Academy T-6 with the earlier 'Red Chequers' livery in silver/dayglo red and fern leaf roundels, also courtesy of a Ventura decal sheet. The third one for the moment I won't tell, just say it will be based on the Hobbyboss easykit. Cheers Fabio

Aeronavale’s main air base is at Hyeres and the French Fleet based at nearby Toulon, both firmly on the Côte d’Azur in Southern France. The kit is a fairly elderly Heller boxing but it’s quite reasonably moulded. Two grey plastic sprues, and a small clear one with the canopy A simple instruction sheet, which matches the vintage nature of the kit. Colour call out and transfers for two Aeronavale aircraft. The upper colour call out is a mix of paints but it should be Blue Gris Fonce, Dark Blue Grey. I’ve got some somewhere but Gunship Grey is close. I don’t think Extra Dark Sea Grey is quite right, too dark and not blue enough. Anyway, that’s a bit away so probably best to start painting the interior parts and getting some glue on.

I see this is a popular subject, as the Tarangus/Special Hobby kits are being built in both 1/72 and 1/48. Time for someone to go retro. The previous Viggen kits I built were from Airfix and Matchbox, which will probably come as no surprise. I have 4 of this kit in the stash for a long time, including the JA 37 version with extra parts. One kit was bought in 1993, the others about 10 years later. I have held off building any of them for two reasons: One is the mega-complex paint scheme used on all three versions included in the original release. Another is the nagging suspicion that this may be a far from easy build. But there's only one way to find out. Artwork from the first two boxings. Unfortunately, I never got either of these. The black-edged box style dating from the late 1970s is a particular favourite of mine. This is the box style for my kit: Parts and instructions. This particular kit had the extra JA sprue included by mistake, not that I'm complaining. All spare parts gratefully received.

This is a project that is sure to feel very nostalgic for some, as the kits i have in the bench at the moment, date back to the 60's and 70's. Personally, i don't think ive ever actually bought a Heller kit (might have gotten some Heller plastic in a different brand of box tough), tough ive seen some around and have been aware of the brand. But thanks to Glow2B and them reviving the brand, i can right that wrong, and have my own taste of some fine French vintages. As for how fine these will be, we shall see. But if nothing else, i got this small fleet for less that what a new Trumpeter 1/350 battleship would cost (like the O-class). And i can guarantee i will have quite a bit more fun doing these as-well. Even if the level of detail will be a little low in comparison. And to further increase my enjoyment, i will be painting these in a rather more custom and colorful paint scheme that hopefully shouldn't bee too wild/out of place. My only bit of aftermarket detailing, is some of those 1/350 scale human shaped cardboard cutouts. They might be really simple compared to the newer 3D-printed stuff, and slightly out of scale. But i think that for this project, they ought to be a weirdly perfect match. Oh, and Ive already got the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle and the submarine Le Redoutable in order , and i hope eventually we get to see many more of these kit's, as from what i was able to find, there where quite a few back in the day. So, ought to be an absolute delight, and but a light snack compered to the PE infested kit's of today

Three weeks to go and he's starting another one!!! Well, this time I know I'm unlikely to finish it in time. It's just that I'm in a Mirage frenzy at the moment. However, I have a lot of other GB-related irons in the fire and I know if I build it as an independent, it will get lost in the GB madness. At least this GB will give me structure for the first part of the build. I've never been too keen on the Mirage 2000. The 2000C has a weird sit-up-and-beg vibe which doesn't seem to fit its role as a warplane. But the 2000N and 2000D are a different kettle of fish. The canopy seems to be lower, giving the aircraft a broad-shouldered look. The tactical camouflage scheme makes it look very purposeful, almost as though it's a small Mirage IV. Hardly surprising as that's exactly what it was designed to be. This is the brand new Dream Model kit of the Mirage 2000N. Although the box top says "2000N", there are additional parts for the 2000D, which is the version that I shall be building.

As Patrice has pointed out, we only have a month left in this GB. So why not try and squeeze another one in?

Back in 2018 I was bought an air experience day for my Birthday. It involved a flight in a Dragon Rapide at Duxford in which we flew in formation with Spitfire N3200. I built the Spitfire for the 2020 Spitfire GB using the Tamiya 1/48 kit and have since built a 1/72 in-flight version using the Airfix MkI kit. This GB will see me using the Heller Dragon Rapide kit to build the aircraft we flew in, TX310 from the Classic Wings Company in Duxford. The kit. I will be building this one in flight so purchased some architectural figures to add, they are 1/100 scale but should fit the cabin and give the impression that it is occupied. These GBs are coming thick and fast, I currently have three builds underway, so won’t start this one until I have finished them.

Dassault Mirage IVA EB1/91 “Gascogne”, Mont-de-Marsan, France, 1964 Heller 1/72 kit rescribed - Berna decals I also built this kit as a IVP with resin photo pod and Modelart decals some time ago:

I recently finished the Heller M4A2 as Sherman III 'Sheik' from the Royal Scots Greys, as it appeared in the vicinity of Naples in 1943. This was for the Sherman Group Build on the Braille Scale Discussion Group forum. I just loved the tank's spotted 'leopard' camouflage and luckily Star Decals has it on their 'British Shermans in Italy' sheet. Although there is some discussion about the colour of the spots, I decided to go for black since other tanks in the unit were camouflaged in mud and blue-black, so they would have had access to that paint in theatre. I hope you like it. Peter

This stalled out six years ago, if I recall correctly I didn't like how the paint was doing on the undersurface. This was the intended subject: An appeal to the hive mind back when I started the thing got me the underwing number, and other useful stuff. Between this old debt, and meeting delays during the KUTA GB, I have come to take getting this done and dusted as a point d'honneur.... Here it is with top color on, and some dressing required still on the wavy demarcation. This is how it stood when I had to pause the thing short of the GB deadline. I shook down my decals, and found cockades and the needed letter and numbers for the matricule on the wing. The undercarriage doors are tacked in for the application, because the ID marking laps onto them. Here it is up on its hind legs: Getting legs under it was a production. Far as I can tell I followed the instructions, and the result was godawful. I lengthened legs and doors, clipped the braces, thinned down the tires, gave them new hubs and bits of stub to toe them in.. Before I did the gear, I prised off the rear canopy piece and put in the roll bar I had omitted by oversight in setting the clear bits on. I expect I will enlarge the rudder a bit, to match available decals. Still have to organize some decals, and tend to a few little bits and bobs.

Sabrekits is to reissue the Heller 1/72nd Morane Saulnier MS.230 kit - ref. SBK7029 Source: https://www.facebook.com/Sabrekits.cz/posts/pfbid02Bk3DCbqiguizxFLWWfsGKU49V3WXPJTw9sg4DK53Aa9rbpMAxQbjYDrfoFg7ULHyl - ref. SBK7029 - Morane Saulnier MS.230 - ref. SBK7030 - Morane Saulnier MS.230 V.P.

You would have done the same as me yes? In a moment of enthusiasm for this GB, bought that just-listed, reasonably-priced Airfix/Heller Super Etendard that was still in it's original plastic shrink wrap packaging, untouched in 30 years? The retro 1990 Airfix box art and design may have also prompted an impulsive 'buy it now' acquisition! 😄 I may be deluding myself in thinking with so few parts it will be a quick build. But with only a handful of parts, it will be a quick build, yes? 🤪 Of course the old and out-of-register decals were a gateway to just a few other items of aftermarket! If I have to order new decals, I may as well order some masks (hope they can be made to fit as they're for the Academy kit!) and a new seat. I did though decide against PE. I'm going to leave the raised panel lines (for a quick build - yes? - and my scribing skills need a lot of work!) so it didn't make sense to add PE for better detailing when the kit still has raised panel lines. Meanwhile, these decals are on their way to me: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/berna-decals-bd-72-129-dassault-super-etendard-aeronavale--1410102 so I can build an Aeronavale aircraft, probably in the later blue/blue-grey scheme. And yes. I'll definitely hang the Exocet of it. I have seen some great models made of this kit online that set the standard for what can be done with this humble kit. So hopefully I can fly the flag for the Super Etendard in this GB (while also progressing my Mirage 2000 and finishing my Salty Sea Dog Intruder) and do this very pretty aeroplane some justice. Merci bien, Gerard