***C'est magnifique!!!*** Heller Classic GB 2025 Chat

[Rabbit Leader]

16 minutes ago, MrB17 said:

I haven’t purchased one yet, but the kit is now sold as a twin pack by Heller.

I didn’t know that, two Noraltlas’ would be a weird combination to box together? Hard enough selling one kit, selling two kits together for an elevated price seems awfully strange to me! 
 

The Noratlas, Jaguar and Crusader are other good  ‘Heller / French in Africa’ GB contenders too. 
 

Cheers.. Dave 

[MrB17]

1 hour ago, Rabbit Leader said:

I didn’t know that, two Noraltlas’ would be a weird combination to box together?

I found some on evilbay, but the difference in price between an older kit with terrible decals and the twin pack is negligible. I think Heller probably had a lot of the previous production run not selling and this might be a way of reducing their inventory. I can’t see this kit being a good seller at any time. If two modellers split the cost of the twin pack it would be fairly reasonable, there’s 2 complete sets of decals, but strangely the Portuguese markings weren’t included this time, just French and German. I believe the included French version is one that would have operated in Africa.

The kit has some known issues as far as fit, but certainly buildable. It would be interesting to see one displayed with the Italeri C-119 for comparison.

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[vppelt68]

On 15/11/2024 at 22:28, Troy Smith said:

The Heller kit ... was the replacement to the previous Heller "K-4"  which was, erm, terrible and not K-4 at all

 

Troy, maybe it was/is horrible as a K, but not at all that as a mid-1970's production late G kit. I think we should accept some of its faults due to its age! I can't wait to get my hands on this pair of early and late Gustavs . V-P

 

 

[Graham Boak]

Apart from the short rear fuselage and fat fuselage, I agree about their G kit.  However their earlier F was a G and their first K was the G with an attempt at a tall fin/rudder but the same height as the standard tail.  The second K was their best 109 so far.  Everyone's, really.

[ColonelKrypton]

On 10/14/2024 at 3:12 AM, Marklo said:

bought this on Saturday now I’m well ready for the GB

 

OK. I'm in too. 

 

I have sort of followed these classis group builds with one eye. Always interesting but seemingly not at an opportune time.  However, this Classic Heller Group Build hits the sweet spot but Heller kits are thin on the ground in Canada for some reason and it was difficult to find anything that would fit this Classic Group Build.  I spent the weekend, quite literally, poking through Scalemate to educate myself on what Heller kits would qualify and then hunting around at the various online and brick and mortar hobby stores that I patronize. I found only a few suitable Heller kits and only one really caught my eye, this one ( same as Marklo but a different issue which I think is the 1996 issue ( according to Scalemates)

 

 

The kit I found is a previously owned kit that the store bought in one of the lots they occasionally by from estates.  I am hoping the kit is in good order but if not then that will be just another pleasurable task to sort out. 

 

Thinking about it, I think that I could on my fingers only two or three time over the number of Heller kits I have ever seen in any one of the local hobby stores. 

 

I am looking forward to this Classic Group Build. I like odd subjects and the pre WWII French designs fit  Some were very elegant and others rather clunky but they all have their own appeal.

 

cheers, Graham

 

[2996 Victor]

4 minutes ago, ColonelKrypton said:

 

OK. I'm in too. 

 

I have sort of followed these classis group builds with one eye. Always interesting but seemingly not at an opportune time.  However, this Classic Heller Group Build hits the sweet spot but Heller kits are thin on the ground in Canada for some reason and it was difficult to find anything that would fit this Classic Group Build.  I spent the weekend, quite literally, poking through Scalemate to educate myself on what Heller kits would qualify and then hunting around at the various online and brick and mortar hobby stores that I patronize. I found only a few suitable Heller kits and only one really caught my eye, this one ( same as Marklo but a different issue which I think is the 1996 issue ( according to Scalemates)

 

 

The kit I found is a previously owned kit that the store bought in one of the lots they occasionally by from estates.  I am hoping the kit is in good order but if not then that will be just another pleasurable task to sort out. 

 

Thinking about it, I think that I could on my fingers only two or three time over the number of Heller kits I have ever seen in any one of the local hobby stores. 

 

I am looking forward to this Classic Group Build. I like odd subjects and the pre WWII French designs fit  Some were very elegant and others rather clunky but they all have their own appeal.

 

cheers, Graham

 

Excellent, Graham, welcome aboard the Good Ship Heller! That's a superb choice, IMHO, the Vichy markings are so distinctive. Looking forward to watching this one built.

 

Cheers,

Mark

[Zephyr91]

Hi Mark @2996 Victor, I struggle to keep up with the wonderful variety of stuff going on on BM so I've only just become aware of this. 

 

Great stuff, and lots of potential for very bad "franglais" from us brits [Apologies to all French speakers. Sincerely.  We brits are very bad at foreign languages and should be mocked for it.........peut-être, but we like "plays on words" and the opportunity for a giggle  is too much to resist sometimes ]

 

Anyway I have 3 possible candidates I think.  Malheureusment all in Humbrol boxes if that's ok?  I'm only doing one of them, but the choice is from

 

Gloster Gladiator 1978 mould/1986 box

Heinkel He 112  1979/1986

Spitfire Mk XVI   1979/1986      

(all years according to Scalemates)

 

Favourite is the Spitfire, but the comprehensive knitting/rigging diagrams for the Gladiator make it tempting.   Will think on't.

 

cheers

 

Rob

[2996 Victor]

27 minutes ago, Zephyr91 said:

Hi Mark @2996 Victor, I struggle to keep up with the wonderful variety of stuff going on on BM so I've only just become aware of this. 

 

Great stuff, and lots of potential for very bad "franglais" from us brits [Apologies to all French speakers. Sincerely.  We brits are very bad at foreign languages and should be mocked for it.........peut-être, but we like "plays on words" and the opportunity for a giggle  is too much to resist sometimes ]

 

Anyway I have 3 possible candidates I think.  Malheureusment all in Humbrol boxes if that's ok?  I'm only doing one of them, but the choice is from

 

Gloster Gladiator 1978 mould/1986 box

Heinkel He 112  1979/1986

Spitfire Mk XVI   1979/1986      

(all years according to Scalemates)

 

Favourite is the Spitfire, but the comprehensive knitting/rigging diagrams for the Gladiator make it tempting.   Will think on't.

 

cheers

 

Rob

Hi Rob!

 

you're very welcome to partake of this moveable feast  glad to have you aboard!

 

Any or all of those three are perfectly acceptable - the criterion is released before 1985, so reboxes are fine!

 

In fact, I'm planning to do the Spit XVI myself as an homage to my juvenile self - I had only a few Heller models but that was one of them. I always fancied the He112 as well, but never managed to get one.

 

So as I said, welcome aboard the Good Ship Heller!

 

Cheers,

Mark

[PhantomBigStu]

Tempted by an airfix reboxing of the awacs (though is 1985 toolings ok?) on ebay, but given I purchased that kit last time with the superior aftermarket raf conversion and decals and the since sold it probably not a wise move. Probably will try and do the super etendard I’ve not yet done as well as mirage iii I won’t get time for one in the stgb now 

Edited November 20, 2024 by PhantomBigStu

[2996 Victor]

8 minutes ago, PhantomBigStu said:

Tempted by an airfix reboxing of the awacs (though is 1985 toolings ok?) on ebay, but given I purchased that kit last time with the superior aftermarket raf conversion and decals and the since sold it probably not a wise move. Probably will try and do the super etendard I’ve not yet done. 

Hi Stu,

 

Is this the fella link ? Even though Scalemates says there are new parts, its essentially a rebox of the Heller kit released in 1985. The cut off is 31st December 1985, so it scrapes in!

 

As such, I think we can say "Oui!"

 

HTH,

Mark

 

P.S. the Etendard would be good, too!

[Enzo the Magnificent]

10 hours ago, Zephyr91 said:

I'm only doing one of them

 

Awwww! 

[Zephyr91]

10 minutes ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

 

Awwww! 

Sorry Enzo.  Not listening!!   However, I'm sort of saving the He 112 possibly for one of the Blitz Builds and the Gladiator is part of a longer term thing I'm thinking of.  So they'll get done some time.  Just not all for this GB.

 

cheers

 

Rob

[Enzo the Magnificent]

3 minutes ago, Zephyr91 said:

Sorry Enzo.  Just not all for this GB.

 

 

Are you sure?   I mean, you wouldn't want to get FOMO, would you?

 

You know you want to...    

[2996 Victor]

1 minute ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

Are you sure?   I mean, you wouldn't want to get FOMO, would you?

 

You know you want to...    

I've got two builds planned in between my hosting duties - the Spit XVIe and also a Dewoitine D.501 (another childhood build ) so I really can't understand Rob @Zephyr91's reluctance  Only kidding, Rob!

 

Cheers,

Mark

 

 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

15 minutes ago, 2996 Victor said:

Dewoitine D.501

 

 

 

I've never built the D.501 but I have built the D.510.

 

 

I've also never built the Spitfire XVI.   I'm currently in the middle of a 1/72 Spitfire frenzy, so the XVI could be a possibility for me as well.

[Zephyr91]

36 minutes ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

You know you want to...    

I know I need to keep on the right side of the Domestic Authorities!    If I followed your advice .......

 

30 minutes ago, 2996 Victor said:

I really can't understand Rob

As alluded above, it's absolute fear/self-preservation/etc..     

 

Welll, not quite, but I do need to keep a grip on things.  I planned for 8 builds this year.  When the current 2 Hurricanes are completed it will be 12!!   So I already have a bad case of "Project Creep" and my current plans for 2025 already total 8 including a Lancaster that some well-meaning relative bought me (and probably counts as 4 due to the number of props compared to my normal "singles" ) and I feel obliged to do.   So already getting worried .....       And strangely, my stash started at 59 at the beginning of this year and now stands at err.... 61

 

Just trying to keep a grip

 

Rob

[Enzo the Magnificent]

2 minutes ago, Zephyr91 said:

I planned for 8 builds this year.

 

I plan one build per GB.  That works out to nineteen builds for the year.  So far, I have completed 41..    

 

 

[Zephyr91]

2 minutes ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

 

I plan one build per GB.  That works out to nineteen builds for the year.  So far, I have completed 41..    

 

 

I honestly don't know how you manage that and all the Moderator stuff you do so well.  Seriously.    Are you actually more than one person?

 

I think you are the embodimentof the saying that "Even the best-laid plans don't survive first contact with the enemy/reality" 

 

All power to your elbow (or other bit of anatomy that works for you )

 

Rob

[Enzo the Magnificent]

26 minutes ago, Zephyr91 said:

I honestly don't know how you manage that and all the Moderator stuff you do so well.  Seriously.    Are you actually more than one person?

 

It's simple.   I have no life. 

 

But I do have a spreadsheet.

[2996 Victor]

43 minutes ago, Zephyr91 said:

As alluded above, it's absolute fear/self-preservation/etc..     

I totally understand that, Rob, although I'm happy to say that the current Mrs Victor is much more understanding than the first Mrs Victor.....

 

Cheers,

Mark

7 minutes ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

But I do have a spreadsheet.

I do love a good spreadsheet! 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

7 hours ago, 2996 Victor said:

I totally understand that, Rob, although I'm happy to say that the current Mrs Victor is much more understanding than the first Mrs Victor.....

Usually why there is always a first SWMBO. My first hated that I played with toys, then she wondered why she was an Ex ? 

[2996 Victor]

Finally, I've got myself together and made my purchases  

 

 

Both are from my childhood era, and they'll be built OOB in their boxtop schemes as they were some forty-five years ago.

 

My favourite model emporium (it wasn't a mere shop!) in Taunton, one J.C. Kingston who resided on The Bridge adjacent to Debenhams, stocked only a few Heller kits and their price premium over similarly-sized Airfix and Matchbox offerings meant that I built very few. However, I always had a hankering for the He112, so one of those may yet make an appearance, too.

 

Cheers folks,

Mark

[2996 Victor]

14 hours ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

 

 

I've never built the D.501 but I have built the D.510.

 

 

I've also never built the Spitfire XVI.   I'm currently in the middle of a 1/72 Spitfire frenzy, so the XVI could be a possibility for me as well.

I meant to say, Enzo, that that's a rather lovely D.510. It's a very delicate-looking aeroplane and you've captured it extremely well - I seem to recall childhood me having trouble getting the radiator bath to seat properly on my D.501. The Spit XVI sticks in my mind as the nicest 1/72 Spit I built back then, so I'm looking forward to revisiting that!

 

Cheers,

Mark

[Nick McV]

Would this be eligible? Heller never did any 1/48 scale WW2 planes that I can see. This was originally a "Heller Humbrol" kit issued in 1983, according to Scalemates. I'd like to build it for my tractor-mad grandson.

 

I used to be into tractors too, but I'm not that fussed about them now.

 

I'm an ex-tractor fan.

 

I'll get me coat...

 

Nick

[klr]

On 11/18/2024 at 5:25 AM, Rabbit Leader said:

I didn’t know that, two Noraltlas’ would be a weird combination to box together? Hard enough selling one kit, selling two kits together for an elevated price seems awfully strange to me! 
 

The Noratlas, Jaguar and Crusader are other good  ‘Heller / French in Africa’ GB contenders too. 
 

Cheers.. Dave 

Actually, at 40 Euro or so for the twin-pack, that's very good value ... if you actually want two kits, which I did, to go with the first kit I bought back in the early 1990s.

 

And yes, the box for the double kit is huge. No way you can sneak that past someone 😄