Aerial Abomination - Amiot 143 Out of Box

[Faust]

Just in time for American Thanksgiving, we have many things to be thankful for and they’re all related to a turkey!

Of course, I’m talking not about that most sleep-inducing of oven-roasted fowl, but something large, semi-flight capable and definitely more than a little foul. I speak, perhaps unexpectedly, of the Heller 1/72 Amiot 143!

I came across this kit a few years ago, and my excitement was only equalled by my revulsion. I knew of the plane, and to see its horrors manifested in such unforgivingly mediocre plastic was the culmination of a dream of sorts. Well, a fever dream, maybe, but still…

So, what do you have to be thankful for? Well, you have a few things: 1.) They don’t make them like this anymore, either in plastic or real life. 2.) Only Heller would make a kit of this, and it’s largely forgotten. 3.) Everyone needs a laugh, and this plane and kit have to be worth that.

You can also be thankful that you can now experience the beast vicariously, just by clicking the link below, and you don’t have to waste money or room buying one yourself. Unless, like me, you’re just a sucker for punishment. J

https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/heller-1-72-amiot-143-oob/
 

[Earl Marischal]

Love the review!

steve

[Faust]

Thanks, Steve!

Sometimes, I get into a funny mood, and it just happened that I had a funny subject at hand! 

I had a good time writing it, too. I like to try and make reviews of kits fun and entertaining, and maybe get a bit of a different thought going in people's heads. 

 

It means a lot to me that people actually read and enjoy them! 

[10thumbs]

That's a real turkey.

[Mike999]

Thanks!  Great review.  I have that thing in a SME(a)R box.  It met two of my personal criteria for aircraft kits; it was weird and cheap.  The SMER boxtop promises "Super Decal!"  Haven't had the nerve to check and see what horrors that might mean. The SMER box art is a little better, since the Amiot isn't painted in Excremental Brown.

Looking at the Potez on the side of your kit, along with the Amiot, it looks like French aircraft designers were inspired by the "Flying Salon" school of aviation engineering.  All those windows!  Makes me wonder if the planes were also equipped with easy chairs, wine racks, croissant toasters and maybe fine Turkish rugs on the floors.

[Faust]

You know, Michael, I thought almost the same thing.

They look like the cars on the bottom of the great airships, not a warplane. I imagine the view was great, even if the quarters weren't as fancy as we imagine!

[Spex84]

I actually like the thing! With that awkward, boxy styling and massive aspect, I could have sworn it was soviet. 

[Faust]

On 11/29/2017 at 1:01 AM, Spex84 said:

I actually like the thing! With that awkward, boxy styling and massive aspect, I could have sworn it was soviet. 

I can see that. It has a lot of Maxim Gorky in it, doesn't it.

Being smaller, maybe it's the "Minim Gorky"?