In Box Review of Heller 1/35th Scale
Groupe Tabor Marocains (GTM)
Kit no. 116
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1977
I paid a mere $3.50 back then for my kit.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1977
I paid a mere $3.50 back then for my kit.
THE KIT:
Heller is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in France. They manufacture all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end-opening type box, that is blousy. It is 2 ¾” too long.
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 on the box is a color illustration of 2 Moroccan- troops with a mule, that is loaded with equipment.
The mule is overall brown. It has several tan wood boxes strapped on its back and a metal fuel can.
Both figures are dressed in robes that have red and white vertical stripes on them. Both have tan trousers and low brown shoes.
One man is kneeling on his right knee and strapping supplies aboard the donkey. He wears a white turban.
The other man is standing and watching the mule and other-man. He wears a brimmed hat, canvas ammo pouches across his chest and on his belt. He has a rifle resting on his right shoulder and a jerry can in his left hand.
This scene is posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand does the majority of their box arts.
Both side panels of the box say what is in the kit in French. Kit was made in France.
On the bottom of the box, said in English and German: French infantry battle group: Tabor Combat Group. This box contains about 50 parts to assemble 3 figures, with many accessories, arms, helmets and packs.
The kit holds 3 medium-grey trees. Trees are not alphabetized. Instead they are numbered as 1, 2 & 3.
Medium-grey no. 1 tree holds: the kneeling figure (divided into separate head, front and back of torso, arms and legs), 2 jerry cans, ammo pouches, a rifle, canteen, bayonet in scabbard and a base plate to put the figure on. (19 parts)
Heller is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in France. They manufacture all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end-opening type box, that is blousy. It is 2 ¾” too long.
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 on the box is a color illustration of 2 Moroccan- troops with a mule, that is loaded with equipment.
The mule is overall brown. It has several tan wood boxes strapped on its back and a metal fuel can.
Both figures are dressed in robes that have red and white vertical stripes on them. Both have tan trousers and low brown shoes.
One man is kneeling on his right knee and strapping supplies aboard the donkey. He wears a white turban.
The other man is standing and watching the mule and other-man. He wears a brimmed hat, canvas ammo pouches across his chest and on his belt. He has a rifle resting on his right shoulder and a jerry can in his left hand.
This scene is posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand does the majority of their box arts.
Both side panels of the box say what is in the kit in French. Kit was made in France.
On the bottom of the box, said in English and German: French infantry battle group: Tabor Combat Group. This box contains about 50 parts to assemble 3 figures, with many accessories, arms, helmets and packs.
The kit holds 3 medium-grey trees. Trees are not alphabetized. Instead they are numbered as 1, 2 & 3.
Medium-grey no. 1 tree holds: the kneeling figure (divided into separate head, front and back of torso, arms and legs), 2 jerry cans, ammo pouches, a rifle, canteen, bayonet in scabbard and a base plate to put the figure on. (19 parts)
Medium-grey no. 2 tree holds: halves of the donkey, his tail, 2 more jerry cans, saddle and wood boxes etc. (15 parts)
Medium-grey no. 3 tree holds: the standing figure (divided into separate head, front and back of torso, arms and legs), ammo pouches, 2 jerry cans, rifle, canteen, bayonet in scabbard and a base plate to mount him on (21 part)
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that is in 8 ¼” x 15”format, printed on both sides and folded twice to fit the box.
The face side gives the history of the group in French, over a suggested paint listing, important information and certificate to mail to Heller for any help with the kit, in a left hand column.
The rest of the page to the right gives 4 assembly steps.
The reverse side of the instructions gives written instructions in English, French and German.
Detail is very good. It’s a diorama waiting to happen.
Recommended.
The face side gives the history of the group in French, over a suggested paint listing, important information and certificate to mail to Heller for any help with the kit, in a left hand column.
The rest of the page to the right gives 4 assembly steps.
The reverse side of the instructions gives written instructions in English, French and German.
Detail is very good. It’s a diorama waiting to happen.
Recommended.