Heller 1/72 Cold War Aviation
This blog post I will list and discuss what options we have for Heller 1/72 Cold War aviation.
I’ve been trying to remember if I’ve ever built a Heller kit. Possibly during the 1980’s I would have made some Airfix kits that had been produced in the Heller factory.
With Heller being a French company, I was expecting to be listing a lot of Dassault aircraft, especially the Mirage range. But to my surprise only one listed in 1/72.
What is in the list, I find quite interesting and unexpected, especially some of the bigger models.
I’ve included links tom Amazon if the kit is available to buy on there. Otherwise the link goes to the Heller website.
So in no particular order, here is the list of Heller 1/72 Cold War aviation model kits.
Fouga CM.170 Magister
This tool is from 1980, so quite old and I suspect it will show. However you do have other Magister options with the likes of KP, Special Hobby and Valom.
Seems to be plenty of after market addons and decal sets. So probably worth a look.
Saab 29 Tunnan
An even older tool than the Magister, this one dating back to 1978! Not many options out there at the moment for a Tunnan. However, plenty of after market and decals sets to help give your build a little something extra.
Saab Safir 91
Tooled in 1981, this would be quite a nice and unique aircraft to add to a Cold War collection. Also no one else seems to be doing this little light aircraft. There are a few decal options, but not many.
Saab 32 Lansen
I think Heller like Saab aircraft and it’s a good job that they do. Not many other options for the Lansen. The other option is the newer Tarangus (2016), as opposed to the 1982 for the Heller kit.
Saab JA-37 JaktViggaen
Heller are in quite a crowded market with the Viggen, so a kit dating from 1977 is going to find it hard to compete. Not sure I’d look at this with more modern offerings being available.
North American F-86F Sabre / Canadair CL-13 B Sabre VI
Another offering from Heller that is in a very crowded market. So again dating from 1979 this kit really has to have something to offer that the newer kits don’t.
North American F-86F Sabre / Canadair CL-13 B Sabre VI
North American T-28 Fennec / Trojan
Yes this may be a 1981 kit, but it is one of the few on the market. So one I would consider adding to my stash. There also appears to be a good selection of after market decals for this aircraft.
North American T-28 Fennec/Trojan
Dassault Mirage F1
Ah ha! Finally a Mirage. A few alternatives knocking around, but at least the Heller offering is from 2016, so quite new in model kit terms.
Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star
Now we are getting interesting. As far as I know this is the only kit available of this aircraft(?). Ok it dates from 1983, but I’d seriously consider adding this to my stash. Looks like it would build to be quite an impressive aircraft.
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
As with the EC-121 above, a unique model kit dating from 1984. Another one that I would seriously consider adding to my stash. Just think of the diorama possibilities with this one!
Nord 2501 + Nord 2502 Noratlas (Twin set)
Again hats off to Heller at producing a transport aircraft that no other mainstream, or limited run company has (not that I’m aware of). Add to the fact they sell it as a win kit, so you can make two different versions. Well it has to be in the stash.
Nord 2501 + Nord 2502 Noratlas (Twin set)
Transall C-160
A little bit of competition from Revell with their newer tooling, but who doesn’t love the Transall? I’d consider this quite happily to be part of my stash. Are you noticing a theme here 🙂
Boeing E-3B AWACS
Yep, yet again the only game in town, well done Heller. At over 60cms in length, this has got to be one impressive looking kit. Mind you, the release date of 1987 suggests not one for the new model maker. I suspect quite a bit of work would be required to make it look good.
Heller 1/72 Cold War aviation conclusion]
I think if you stay away from the ‘obvious’ kits such as the F-86 and Viggen you will be getting yourself some quite unique aircraft to add to your stash and collection.
I can see myself adding the Saab Safir, Tunnan and Lansen to my stash. They would go well with my J-28 Vampire and S31 Spitfire for my Swedish Air Force collection.
The last 5 kits in the list, they are so tempting to add to the stash (must build what I’ve got first!).
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