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

[2996 Victor]

8 hours ago, Romeo Alpha Yankee said:

I just found a Heller L-749 Connie in the stash while looking for something else, so sign me up.

 

7 hours ago, MrB17 said:

I’m in, I don’t have many wingy Heller things, but put me down for a Heller 56380 1/72 Ju 52/3m. The only other winged kit I have from Heller is the 749 Constellation, but I think it’s past the 25% mark. Will this mean another visit to EvilBay? There’s a lot of cool Heller kits I wouldn’t mind doing.

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

 

5 hours ago, UberDaveToo said:

Since this one begins next year, I could throw in with this: The NC-121K.

 

 

For what it's worth, the box is very distressed, but for what it's worth, the kit's in good shape.

 

 

The previous owner wrapped it well with bubble wrap.

 

 

And the bulk of it is still in the original bag.

 

 

I ponied up for the RVHP NC-121K kit which includes...

 

 

...Engines, cowls, tip tanks, and all the radar bumps and bulges. Maybe, between now and then, I can get all the wheel well, wheels, cockpit/nose, flaps, props and spinners, and other goodies from Plus Model.

 

 

Possibly dressed like this.

 

Dave

 

3 hours ago, zebra said:

Count me in. Only Heller kit in the stash is a CL215 but it needs to be built.

Hi guys and welcome aboard the GB! Glad to have you all here  Some great subjects suggested already - Dave, the Connie looks really impressive! - so we're going to have some fun!

 

Cheers and all the best,

Mark

[RidgeRunner]

I’m just hoping that all your guys with something “a little Francais” in the forefront of your minds will also fancy signing up for my proposed GB. Yes they had Connies in North Africa too! 🤞

 

[2996 Victor]

Just now, RidgeRunner said:

I’m just hoping that all your guys with something “a little Francais” in the forefront of your minds will also fancy signing up for my proposed GB 🤞

 

 

I think it should mandatory!  Now then folks - how about it? Lots of lovely French subjects in the Heller catalogue!

[Wez]

As a classic GB this one doesn't need to go to the Bunfight, it just needs to gain sufficient support.

 

Am I correct @Enzo the Magnificent

[2996 Victor]

1 minute ago, Wez said:

As a classic GB this one doesn't need to go to the Bunfight, it just needs to gain sufficient support.

 

Am I correct @Enzo the Magnificent

Even better  

[Enzo the Magnificent]

5 hours ago, Wez said:

As a classic GB this one doesn't need to go to the Bunfight, it just needs to gain sufficient support.

 

Am I correct @Enzo the Magnificent

 

Tht's correct for the time being.   We will probably review that policy in November 2025 at the next General Review.

 

 

[2996 Victor]

13 minutes ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

Tht's correct for the time being.   We will probably review that policy in November 2025 at the next General Review.

Thanks, Enzo, that's brilliant!

 

Cheers, 

Mark 

[Mjwomack]

18 minutes ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

 

Tht's correct for the time being.   We will probably review that policy in November 2025 at the next General Review.

 

 

A bullfight about the bullfight, that'll be fun 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

1 minute ago, Mjwomack said:

bullfight

 

Autocucumber?

[Mjwomack]

10 minutes ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

 

Autocucumber?

Always autocucmber 🤪

[UberDaveToo]

6 hours ago, RidgeRunner said:

I’m just hoping that all your guys with something “a little Francais” in the forefront of your minds will also fancy signing up for my proposed GB. Yes they had Connies in North Africa too! 🤞

 

I have a modest stash compared to most, I had some larger scale kits, but sold most of them, and reverted primarily to 1/72. So, it's maybe 200 to 300 kits by nearly ever kit manufacturer that ever existed. I checked and found that most of my Heller kits aren't so French, like the Berlin Airlift C-121A or the F-94B. Out of the dozen or so kits I have, there are three uniquely French subjects, the Mister Kit repop of the Breguet Br 693, the Amiot 143, both of which someone has offered as their choice. That leaves this one:

 

 

...I'll do this one too, given time.

[RidgeRunner]

21 minutes ago, UberDaveToo said:

...I'll do this one too, given time.

So thats a sign up, mate?

[2996 Victor]

33 minutes ago, UberDaveToo said:

I have a modest stash compared to most, I had some larger scale kits, but sold most of them, and reverted primarily to 1/72. So, it's maybe 200 to 300 kits by nearly ever kit manufacturer that ever existed. I checked and found that most of my Heller kits aren't so French, like the Berlin Airlift C-121A or the F-94B. Out of the dozen or so kits I have, there are three uniquely French subjects, the Mister Kit repop of the Breguet Br 693, the Amiot 143, both of which someone has offered as their choice. That leaves this one:

 

 

...I'll do this one too, given time.

Very nice subject, Dave, there's something incredibly elegant about the AMD Mirage.

 

11 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said:

So thats a sign up, mate?

Where were they used in Africa? I suppose they were exported to African air forces but did the Armee de l'Air have them in Algeria, for instance? 

 

Cheers,

Mark

[RidgeRunner]

51 minutes ago, 2996 Victor said:

Where were they used in Africa? I suppose they were exported to African air forces but did the Armee de l'Air have them in Algeria, for instance? 

Yes, North Africa, West African and Djibouti, Mark 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

 

 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

 

 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

A cursory glance at the visible portion of The Stash has uncovered another four (well... five boxes but there are two of one subject) all in the classic black box.  Photos tomorrow.

 

 

[MrB17]

13 hours ago, 2996 Victor said:

Lots of lovely French subjects in the Heller catalogue!

Mark, you really know how to twist someone’s arm!
 

I have the Heller Renault R4, a Citroen 2CV, and a Citroen 15CV. If they are acceptable, I will sashay over to your GB to sign up. If the automobiles aren’t, I will be forced to buy another Heller kit. Telling the wife I have to buy a kit is going to be a hard sell, but I am pretty good at it. Hahahaha 

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

20 hours ago, UberDaveToo said:

Since this one begins next year, I could throw in with this: The NC-121K.

 

 

....

 

Dave

Ooh! I forgot about this one in the stash as well, at least I have 12months or so to decide what to build.

[UberDaveToo]

4 hours ago, RidgeRunner said:

So thats a sign up, mate?

I'm thinking on that. My dad did a lot of time with VAH-9 AJ Savages at Port Lyautey in French Morocco, part of the base was leased to the US Navy in the 1950s. The Navy's Heavy Attack squadrons would rotate in and out of Port Lyautey from Sanford Florida, sending out sea detachments to carriers in the med. He told me once that the French Navy operated old Lancasters as maritime patrol planes, they must have been running on a shoestring budget because dad told me that you never saw the French until one of their AJs needed some heavy maintenance, they had to drain and purge the fuel tanks. It seems horribly wasteful, but whenever a US military plane lands, the tanks are topped off. This is a form of stupid proofing because some not so very bright pilot took off with a plane that ran out of gas on takeoff and crashed with fatal results. This happens even if the airframe is due for periodic maintenance and the tanks have to be drained and purged. That meant about 1,640 US gallons went into portable storage tanks and when that happens, it's considered "contaminated fuel" and disposed of. When the French saw this, they came running out, dragged off the "contaminated fuel," pumped it into their tanks and went flying...

 

 

I was intending on doing one of these anyway. You can see what fun the weathering would be, I guess you could sign me up for this...

 

Dave

[Enzo the Magnificent]

3 minutes ago, UberDaveToo said:

the French Navy operated old Lancasters as maritime patrol planes

I was intending on doing one of these anyway. You can see what fun the weathering would be, I guess you could sign me up for this...

 

Did Heller ever release a Lancaster?

[MrB17]

On 1/24/2024 at 2:56 PM, Alex.B said:

T-28 in the stash.. so why not join!

Why not! 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[davecov]

I am up for this GB too.

 

I will build the Heller 1/72 Junkers Ju-52/3M (80380) (1979) and/or the Heller 1/35 US 1/4 Ton Truck & Trailer (Jeep) (81105) (1977). Of course, by the time this GB starts, I may have changed my mind!

 

Dave

[2996 Victor]

1 minute ago, davecov said:

I am up for this GB too.

 

I will build the Heller 1/72 Junkers Ju-52/3M (80380) (1979) and/or the Heller 1/35 US 1/4 Ton Truck & Trailer (Jeep) (81105) (1977). Of course, by the time this GB starts, I may have changed my mind!

 

Dave

Glad to have you along, Dave, and welcome to the madness!

 

Cheers, 

Mark

[UberDaveToo]

7 minutes ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

Did Heller ever release a Lancaster?

Apparently not, you'd think they would, since the French flew them for about 20 years after WWII ended. Anyway I was replying to RidgeRunner, who asked if I'd join his French North Africa GB proposal...