1/24 Talbot-Lago Record by Heller

[Mittagskind]

Let's start a new project.

 

First I tried to find some photos for example colors of this car. While searching on the internet I discovered the original car which was the example of the Heller-kit. It is part of a vehicle collection at a museum near Lyon in France. Yesterday I wrote to the museum in order to get more information and any photos of the car and its details (engine, interior etc). I'm curious if I'll get an answer.

 

Meanwhile I try to mix the correct color for bodywork. A dark saphir-blue airbrush ink as basic making some brighter with white and silver.

A follwing test will show it...

[Bugatti Fan]

Nice looking car. Interesting project.

Heller have brought out some really unusual car subjects in 1/24th scale to delight over the years. Some are a bit challenging to say the least and have what I refer to as Hellerisms. One example is their Delage where there is join right across the top of the rear wings. Totally unnecessary if the kit had been designed a big differently, and a real pain to correct even by an experienced modeller.

Looking at the box contents of Hanjo's Talbot T26 looks to me to be more conventional as a kit, and should build up into a very nice model of this attractively styled car. I will be following this build.

Edited July 23, 2023 by Bugatti Fan

[Mittagskind]

2 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

Hellerisms

Yes Noel, I agree. Years ago I had a Citroen DS by Heller. It was really impossible to connect the mounted chassis with the bodywork. At last the whole stuff went into the trash.

[Mittagskind]

Here some additional photos of the real car (taken by Sander Toonen/NL) in the museum.

[Mittagskind]

Engine is done.

[slusher]

Great looking engine and nice start!

[Mittagskind]

On 7/27/2023 at 1:46 PM, slusher said:

Great looking engine and nice start!

Oh thank you, Carl. I found your post only today.

[Mittagskind]

I added an ignition system to the engine. This is not part of the kit.

[beeRS]

This appears to be a very nice kit. I don’t know why I overlooked it before. I had some Hella kits before that weren’t great, but this one does look good. Nice work on the engine. I’ll be watching. 

[Pierre Rivard]

Looks good Hanjo, and what a beautiful subject to build a model of. Any thoughts on what you want to do about wheels?

[Justin Porter]

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this goes together for you. The engine is already looking fantastic.

[Mittagskind]

On 8/3/2023 at 3:39 PM, Justin Porter said:

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this goes together for you. The engine is already looking fantastic.

Thank you, Justin.

[Mittagskind]

On 8/3/2023 at 3:39 PM, Justin Porter said:

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this goes together for you. The engine is already looking fantastic.

Thank you Pierre I first assembled the wheels as they come out of the box. Maybe I'll make them a little more realistic with black washing so that they look a little used.

[Mittagskind]

Here is some more work on the model, the main frame, the drive, the exhaust system and the axles. I decided to give the underside of the vehicle a slightly used look as well. After all, the car is already more than 70 years old and it just looks more realistic that way.

So far I am very satisfied with the kit. All parts fit well and the plastic is relatively soft and easy to work with.

[Mittagskind]

On 8/3/2023 at 7:28 AM, beeRS said:

This appears to be a very nice kit. I don’t know why I overlooked it before. I had some Hella kits before that weren’t great, but this one does look good. Nice work on the engine. I’ll be watching. 

Thank you Sonny. Yes, the Heller kits are not always of good quality. But so far I'm very happy with this one.

[Bugatti Fan]

Chassis taking shape well Hanjo! Will be following the rest of this build.

Those museum pictures of the real car you shared really show what a lovely looking classic it is.

[Bainford]

Interesting car. Somehow I have never build a Heller kit yet, but would like to some day. Looking good so far.

[Mittagskind]

On 8/8/2023 at 8:59 AM, Bugatti Fan said:

Chassis taking shape well Hanjo! Will be following the rest of this build.

Those museum pictures of the real car you shared really show what a lovely looking classic it is.

Thank you Noel. Unfortunately the museum in Lyon didn't answer in order to get some added photos of the real car so far. So I try to do my best the result is looking good.

[Mittagskind]

On 8/8/2023 at 3:33 PM, Bainford said:

Interesting car. Somehow I have never build a Heller kit yet, but would like to some day. Looking good so far.

Thank you Trevor. Things aren't going so fast at the moment. So far I have only used spray cans to paint my models. Here I am trying to apply acrylic colors with the airbrush and still have to experiment a little.

[Mittagskind]

The closed roof and the hood halves need some work. It seems the windshield frame is slightly deformed.  I have to see, how the gap between roof and frame to close. I could glue it together, but so I can't change the model between opened and closed roof. Does anyone have an idea, what to do the best?

[Pierre Rivard]

Hard to see from the picture if it is the windshield or roof that is off. The roof may be a bit twisted and that is an easy fix with hot water dip and reshape. Careful with water temp though as styrene used by Heller can melt if the water is very hot. You might also want to look at the roof front edge that looks to have quite a big vertical step compared to the real car.

Wonderful build so far!

[MarkJ]

1 hour ago, Mittagskind said:

The closed roof and the hood halves need some work. It seems the windshield frame is slightly deformed.  I have to see, how the gap between roof and frame to close. I could glue it together, but so I can't change the model between opened and closed roof. Does anyone have an idea, what to do the best?

Hanjo, if you have a hair dryer, I always borrow my wife's , you can rig it up and adjust the temperature on it to lightly bend as you move the item that needs reforming. i have used this process with surprisingly good results on styrene. i'm guessing that's what this model is.

Edited August 12, 2023 by MarkJ

[MarkJ]

 

Just by looking at the picture of the parts before you began assembling, it looks to me like the problem is with the roof and not the windshield frame. jmho.

[Mittagskind]

1 hour ago, MarkJ said:

Hanjo, if you have a hair dryer, I always borrow my wife's , you can rig it up and adjust the temperature on it to lightly bend as you move the item that needs reforming. i have used this process with surprisingly good results on styrene. i'm guessing that's what this model is.

 

2 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Hard to see from the picture if it is the windshield or roof that is off. The roof may be a bit twisted and that is an easy fix with hot water dip and reshape. Careful with water temp though as styrene used by Heller can melt if the water is very hot. You might also want to look at the roof front edge that looks to have quite a big vertical step compared to the real car.

Wonderful build so far!

Hi Pierre, hi Mark,

many thanks for your suggestions. I also had considered to form the windshield frame with a little warm. In my opinion the roof is ok. It's the right side of the frame that's curved back a little more.

[Mittagskind]

It seems the opened roof needs some work too.