Heller 1:72 C-160 Transall "Gabrielle"

**GEEDUBBYA** · 23-08-2006

Howdy Guys and Gals,

Well, Yesterday I stopped by the hobby store while on the way back from my Dr's visit. I purchased the Heller 1:72 scale C-160 Transall "Gabrielle".
I had seen it last week but put off buying it for two reasons, one, I purchased the Canberra model and the Hawker Hurricane, and secondly, the asking price for the Gabrielle was $40.95 (US).
So, I opened up the box today as I always do so that I could "test fit the pieces before starting to work on it. (I am a real sucker for the large cargo planes since the Worlds largest C 130 base is about 50 miles north of me.)
Anyway, Upon opening it, I noticed that there were not a whole lot of parts, ther are 47 pieces to be exact. Not only that, but this large kit, is actually a snap together type kit.
That being said, I was somewhat let down. However, being a modeler, I know how to adapt and overcome lol. Actually the kit is sold as a glue together and not a snap kit, but it was disappointing none the less.
The snap tite did however come in handy for preliminary painting of the aircraft, I snapped it together, without all the "innards" and was able to paint it without having to mask off windows or accessories. But, if you see this model, beware it is a snap kit sold as a glue kit.
I will post more photos as I progress with the model, I am taking it slow and removing the "snaps and gluing the kit together.
Below is a preliminary photo right after painting, in the pic, it is just "snapped together", I will disassemble it and then rebuild it.

Have a good day,

Greg

**wonwinglo** · 23-08-2006

Snap together or not Greg,this looks like a good model subject,I wonder why they present it as a conventional ordinary kit when it is not ?

**Bunkerbarge** · 23-08-2006

Greg, I am sure that at the end of the day a snap together kit can look just as good as a conventional kit. It might require a bit of additional attention to the detailing but that is then open to how far you want to take it.

I'm sure that once it gets photographed on the drive it will look very realistic!!

**GEEDUBBYA** · 23-08-2006

Howdy Barry,

Well, right after I made the posting, I went to google and did a search on the model. I came up with info that said it was also sold under Heller, Bobcat, Heller Humbrol brands and that the person reviewing the model stated that he thought it "started life in or before 1984 as a demo model for HFB, the Transall manufacturers."
However not being familiar with these, I dont know.
Anyway, like you said, it is an interesting subject for a model and like I said, I am a sucker for large 1:72 scale planes like this and the C 130 and the HP Victor.
So, I will keep yall posted on how it goes.

Have a good day,

Greg

**GEEDUBBYA** · 23-08-2006

Howdy Bunker,

Lol, I gotta stop telling all my secrets, But I am glad that people do pay attention. Yes, I am hopeful that once I get it finished it will look good on the driveway lol .
I have a few lengths of "Fiber Optic Cable", I have been toying with the idea of "lighting" this plane. I will see what I come up with and let ya'll know what I do.

Have a good day,

Greg

**rjwood_uk** · 23-08-2006

looks lovely so far. Nice camo scheme. is that not the one i found for the victor? lol

did you do the victor model....sorry you may have whilst i was on holiday so sorry if everyone else has already seen it.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 23-08-2006

Howdy Richard,

Well....uh....uh....no, I havent finished the Victor yet, its still in the box, albeit it is painted for the most part. I am so far behind on my builds its ridiculous.
As for the color scheme of the camo, yes, they are alot alike, I think maybe thats a European camo scheme, the gray and green. I have seen photos of alot of modern German aircraft in these colors.

I do see a difference in the colors, but still, they are close, like I said it must be a European theatre camo scheme. I have noticed even the Harrier is sometimes painted in these colors.
Anyway, I go back to work in three weeks so I better get it in gear, I have the Victor and the transall to complete as well as a spit and a hurricane I am doing for a female friend in Canada (Shipping is gonna kill me lol).

I will keep ya'll posted on the progress, have a good day,

Greg

**GEEDUBBYA** · 24-08-2006

Howdy again Guys and Gals,

Well, I have learned that the "Gabrielle" is a French Surviellence Aircraft according to the history included with the model, However, I like the German markings on the aircraft better than I do the french markings.
And, since the aircraft can be made with either markings, I may go with a "german version" of the Gabrielle lol, a hybrid of sorts. If I use the markings I want on the "platform" I want, the model wont be "true to life", but, in my opinion, the overall appearance will be more to my liking. Even though the color scheme is basically the same, the German color scheme differs a little bit (See Below)

ABOVE: GERMAN COLOR SCHEME ON STANDARD TRANSALL (This is the one I want to use)
BELOW: "GABRIELLE" COLOR SCHEME ON FRENCH "SPY PLANE".

There is just something about that "yellow" on the German Aircraft that has always gotten my attention, be it on a Stuka dive bomber or on this aircraft.
I have also discovered that the UK and the US also have a few of the Transalls in their aircraft inventories. Much like the C 130, all of these planes with the exception of the German aircraft, pretty much use the same color schemes.

Anyway, I guess we'll find out together what I go with lol.

Have a good day,

Greg