In Box Review of Heller 1/35th Scale
French Army Gnome-Rhone Motorcycle With Rider
Kit no. 177
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright:197x
Out of production
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright:197x
Out of production
HISTORY:
The Gnome Rhone AX42 (subject of this kit) was built by the old French aeronautical company and was born in 1938. It was derived from the 750cc military type X motorcycle which was designed to meet specifications for a choice of all-purpose motorcycles to equip the motorized army.
Its main characteristic was its frame of pressed and welded steel sheet. The robust and fool-proof twin-cylinder engine required very little maintenance. Its ease of handling and long range enabled it to fulfil any type of mission.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 7.35 ft
Width: 2.53 ft
Height: 3.55 ft
Capacity: 800cc
Max speed: 29 mph
Gear box: 4 ratios
Fuel tank capacity: 4 ½ gallons
Consumption per 100 kms: .79 gallons
THE KIT:
Heller is an old prolific model company based in France. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end-opening type box. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end flaps of the box to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a French soldier aboard a Gnome-Rhone AX42 motorcycle, posed against an all-white background, similar to how Tamiya brand does the majority of their box arts.
The motorcycle is olive-drab, with black license plates, red-brown seats, the handle bars and engine are steel.
The rider wears a red-brown jacket, khaki trousers blouse at the bottom over low black shoes. He has a white shoulder belt strung across his chest and a black belt with a pistol holster on it. He has a Khaki helmet on his head with aluminum rimmed goggles on it.
The license plate atop the front fender is black with a red, white and blue flag on it, followed by white serial no. 56-468.
One side panel of the box shows 3 small color box-arts of other AFV kits that Heller manufactures: a Willys Jeep, a A.M.X. 30 tank and a A.M.X. 13 tank.
No kit numbers are provided for these 3 kits.
The Gnome Rhone AX42 (subject of this kit) was built by the old French aeronautical company and was born in 1938. It was derived from the 750cc military type X motorcycle which was designed to meet specifications for a choice of all-purpose motorcycles to equip the motorized army.
Its main characteristic was its frame of pressed and welded steel sheet. The robust and fool-proof twin-cylinder engine required very little maintenance. Its ease of handling and long range enabled it to fulfil any type of mission.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 7.35 ft
Width: 2.53 ft
Height: 3.55 ft
Capacity: 800cc
Max speed: 29 mph
Gear box: 4 ratios
Fuel tank capacity: 4 ½ gallons
Consumption per 100 kms: .79 gallons
THE KIT:
Heller is an old prolific model company based in France. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end-opening type box. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end flaps of the box to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a French soldier aboard a Gnome-Rhone AX42 motorcycle, posed against an all-white background, similar to how Tamiya brand does the majority of their box arts.
The motorcycle is olive-drab, with black license plates, red-brown seats, the handle bars and engine are steel.
The rider wears a red-brown jacket, khaki trousers blouse at the bottom over low black shoes. He has a white shoulder belt strung across his chest and a black belt with a pistol holster on it. He has a Khaki helmet on his head with aluminum rimmed goggles on it.
The license plate atop the front fender is black with a red, white and blue flag on it, followed by white serial no. 56-468.
One side panel of the box shows 3 small color box-arts of other AFV kits that Heller manufactures: a Willys Jeep, a A.M.X. 30 tank and a A.M.X. 13 tank.
No kit numbers are provided for these 3 kits.
The other side panel repeats the box-arts of the Willy Jeep and the A.M.X 30, followed by the statement that the kit makes up to be 77mm long (a little over 3”) and that the kit holds 50 parts (but I only count 43 parts).
The bottom of the box says: French military motor bicycle-cavalry 1939-1945. This box contains one motor bicycle and one motorcyclist. About 50 parts to assemble, said in French, English and German, each language marked with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 2 dark olive-drab parts trees, the decal sheet, a glue capsule (it has dried hard over the years I’ve had this kit. It should be thrown away) and an instruction sheet for using the capsule. All in one sealed clear cello bag.
The instructions consist of a single sheet, printed on both sides in 8 ¼” x 12” page format, folded twice to fit the box.
The face side, in the left column, gives the history and specifications of the motorcycle. On the right there is a painting and marking guide as one exploded assembly drawing and assorted coupons, all in French only.
The reverse side repeats all this in English and German.
Trees are not alphabetized, like is normally done in
Kits. Instead they are numbered. They are not illustrated in the instructions either. Bad move Heller!!
They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
Dark olive-drab tree number 1 holds: the frame, seats, exhaust, headlight, engine etc. (27 parts)
The kit holds 2 dark olive-drab parts trees, the decal sheet, a glue capsule (it has dried hard over the years I’ve had this kit. It should be thrown away) and an instruction sheet for using the capsule. All in one sealed clear cello bag.
The instructions consist of a single sheet, printed on both sides in 8 ¼” x 12” page format, folded twice to fit the box.
The face side, in the left column, gives the history and specifications of the motorcycle. On the right there is a painting and marking guide as one exploded assembly drawing and assorted coupons, all in French only.
The reverse side repeats all this in English and German.
Trees are not alphabetized, like is normally done in
Kits. Instead they are numbered. They are not illustrated in the instructions either. Bad move Heller!!
They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
Dark olive-drab tree number 1 holds: the frame, seats, exhaust, headlight, engine etc. (27 parts)
Dark olive-drab tree number 2 holds: wheels, handlebars, front fender, figure (divided into separate head, torso, arms and legs) also a rifle, pistol holster, helmet and canvas sack (16 parts)
The glue capsule and the instructions for using it are next.
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
The detail is very good.
Highly recommended. If you can find a kit anywhere.
Highly recommended. If you can find a kit anywhere.