Heller Kits
- BWP
- Got in under the wire
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Re: Heller Kits
I echo most of what's been said above. When I was young, Heller kits weren't available in the shops in my home town, but they were available in Sydney which I could visit on a semi-regular basis. I was always attracted by the range of aircraft kits that they made that no other manufacturer seemed interested in touching (in that respect, they were a bit like Matchbox). Even today some of their subjects are not yet represented by more modern kits.
A couple of years back the company engaged in a revival of sorts, with bright new packaging and the talk of some brand-new kits. Unfortunately I think we're still waiting for most of those new kits, although they did manage to produce a couple of new M4 Sherman kits in 1/72 that are quite superb. The company seems to be struggling again now and lack any decent overseas distribution, so you just don't see them in hobby shops (except in France, I suppose). Fortunately you can order directly from their website, and many of their older kits are still easily obtainable second-hand.
A couple of years back the company engaged in a revival of sorts, with bright new packaging and the talk of some brand-new kits. Unfortunately I think we're still waiting for most of those new kits, although they did manage to produce a couple of new M4 Sherman kits in 1/72 that are quite superb. The company seems to be struggling again now and lack any decent overseas distribution, so you just don't see them in hobby shops (except in France, I suppose). Fortunately you can order directly from their website, and many of their older kits are still easily obtainable second-hand.
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- Modelling Gent and Scholar
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Re: Heller Kits
I hadn't been at that site for a long while, but took a peek just now. They have their own range of paints again, acrylics this time. At 1.25 Euro for 12ml, they are seriously cheap. Numbering appears to match Humbrol. Might be worth investigating.BWP wrote:Fortunately you can order directly from their website, and many of their older kits are still easily obtainable second-hand.
- JohnRatzenberger
- Why is he so confused ?
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Re: Heller Kits
Check this work in progress, if you haven't already: http://www.uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=14940;
John Ratzenberger
It's my model and I'll do what I want with it.
It's my model and I'll do what I want with it.
- Eric Mc
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Re: Heller Kits
I've always liked Heller kits. Their output in the late 1970s and early 1980s was of very good quality for the time.
Re: Heller Kits
I've build a few, usually okay. My most recent one is the Mirage IV. Can't remember the decals being off but the plastic is a slightly funny material, seems a strange feel to it but works okay and came out very nice.
Hoping to return to modelling sometime this year!!
Owner of Marky's Model Emporium since 2013!.
Owner of Marky's Model Emporium since 2013!.
Re: Heller Kits
I have built their 1/72 Fieseler Fi.103 Reichenberg and Bachem Ba 349A Natter, two 1/72 BAe Harrier T.4s, a reboxed Airfix 1:24 North American P-51D Mustang and Luftwaffe Personnel (reboxed Airfix figures)
I also have in the stash their 1/72 Heinkel He 112 BO/B1, Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 and Willys Jeep & Trailer
Some of their subjects are quite unique, but I've never been enamoured by their kits, which feel pretty dated and sixties in design
I also have in the stash their 1/72 Heinkel He 112 BO/B1, Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 and Willys Jeep & Trailer
Some of their subjects are quite unique, but I've never been enamoured by their kits, which feel pretty dated and sixties in design
All models are equal. Some models are more equal than others.
Airfix Tribute Forum
Airfix Tribute Forum
- Eric Mc
- Modelling Gent and Scholar
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- Location: Farnborough, Hants
Re: Heller Kits
Their 60s kits are not great. But from the mid 70s era they produced some excellent mouldings. The He112, Natter and 163 are very nice models. The 109F isn't great but their 109D is lovely.
When they were owned by Humbrol, quite a few of their models appeared in Airfix boxes - such as the Hawker Tempest and the DH89 Dragon Rapide - which are both very nice.
When they were owned by Humbrol, quite a few of their models appeared in Airfix boxes - such as the Hawker Tempest and the DH89 Dragon Rapide - which are both very nice.
- Stamford
- Modelling Gent and Scholar
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Re: Heller Kits
A recent discovery for me I find them very enjoyable builds. http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=19&t ... ras#p82010;
To me they are very Airfixy with rivits and limited interiors but they are fun to play with.
To me they are very Airfixy with rivits and limited interiors but they are fun to play with.
running at the edge of their world
- bassman
- The Bug Has Well And Truly Bitten
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Re: Heller Kits
Maybe good to know is that the 1980 Airfix Lancaster was tooled by Heller. The Lancaster was however never available in the Heller range.
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- Modelling Gent and Scholar
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Re: Heller Kits
That explains the Hellerishness of the sprues then. Something similar happened with their MiG-29 and Su-27 kits; clearly Heller toolings, but the single seaters sold by Airfix were never in the Heller catalog, while the 2-seaters were only sold by Heller.bassman wrote:Maybe good to know is that the 1980 Airfix Lancaster was tooled by Heller. The Lancaster was however never available in the Heller range.
- Old_Tonto
- Modelling Gent and Scholar
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Re: Heller Kits
I'm a bit of a Heller fan myself, they always seemed to do subjects that no one else did and excelled at French subjects.
Maybe it's time for another Heller GB?
Maybe it's time for another Heller GB?
2023 - A:0 B:0 C:0
Current Projects:
East German Air Force (1956-90)
South African Air Force (1958-93)
Current Projects:
East German Air Force (1956-90)
South African Air Force (1958-93)
Re: Heller Kits
A Heller GB sounds good to me.Old_Tonto wrote:I'm a bit of a Heller fan myself, they always seemed to do subjects that no one else did and excelled at French subjects.
Maybe it's time for another Heller GB?
All the best.
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
Re: Heller Kits
I have a Heller "Bobcat" kit hanging fire. The Super Puma.
Besting 60 years of mediocre building of average kits in the stand off scale
Re: Heller Kits
I have that same super puma kit part built. It goes together quite well but the interior is a bit basic.
All the brst
Greg
All the brst
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
Re: Heller Kits
Google the history of the real airframe. Very sad.
Besting 60 years of mediocre building of average kits in the stand off scale