Author Topic: Heller 1/75 La Reale De France (Read 37345 times)

kpnuts · « **Reply #50 on:** May 31, 2015, 05:22:24 PM »

Hi all the flags on the main mast and the fore mast all have tassles on them, the instructions tell you to wind the gold thread round a rod or tube tie them then cut at the furthest point for the tie. well this is my best attempt out of ten

so, after hours of slaving at making a specialist tool for the job I came up with this.

yes I know it looks futuristic and exotic, and I know everyone will want one (especially at the special introductory offer of £50.00) I am expecting huge order numbers so please be patient, anyway here's how it works

a vast improvement on this

I think you will agree.
I will be taking orders for my new tool which I will be calling the Prongy (catchy name dont you agree) I can see lots of other useful ideas for it too hair combing, lock picking, raking the grass just to mention a few So get in first to avoid the rush.

kpnuts · « **Reply #51 on:** June 03, 2015, 02:55:45 AM »

Hi all yippee one mast and sail done.

elmayerle · « **Reply #52 on:** June 03, 2015, 11:47:51 AM »

Damn!!! That's looking quite the gorgeous model.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #53 on:** June 03, 2015, 12:58:46 PM »

I think I've said this before . . . WOW!!

kpnuts · « **Reply #54 on:** June 04, 2015, 02:12:12 AM »

Hi all I've just realised there are 24 more tassles to make for this kit, its becoming an epic build not sure I'm not sure it will be finished in my lifetime.

kpnuts · « **Reply #55 on:** June 06, 2015, 02:03:03 AM »

I've sat down at the table 3 times tonight and done nothing, is this what it feels like to lose your mojo not felt like this before I love modeling but don't seem to have any interest when I sit down.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #56 on:** June 07, 2015, 12:10:03 PM »

Unfortunately, yes, a low level of mojo is indicated ........... $:-\$ try

. . . .

kpnuts · « **Reply #57 on:** June 08, 2015, 01:45:11 AM »

Hi all well I'm back on it and here is todays offering

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #58 on:** June 08, 2015, 04:52:32 AM »

Outstanding

FAAMAN · « **Reply #59 on:** June 08, 2015, 08:44:37 AM »

Agreed!!! :) :)

Old Wombat · « **Reply #60 on:** June 08, 2015, 05:10:32 PM »

So far out of my comfort zone I'm not sure how to react but the detail work is, literally, awesome!

kpnuts · « **Reply #61 on:** June 09, 2015, 02:38:28 AM »

Hi all here is tonights episode

elmayerle · « **Reply #62 on:** June 09, 2015, 03:18:49 AM »

Damn, that looks impressive as all hell!!

Your patience and skill are impressively inspiring.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #63 on:** June 09, 2015, 01:37:16 PM »

Just WOW

kpnuts · « **Reply #64 on:** June 10, 2015, 02:18:35 AM »

Hi all thought I would have a break from the rigging so decided to do the steps, they are supposed to have hand rails but they were so fine one was snapped on the sprue and one broke cutting it off the sprue so will have to make a couple out of copper wire

kpnuts · « **Reply #65 on:** June 11, 2015, 03:16:41 AM »

well this is on the back burner again

as you can see from the parts list sprue 17 and 18 say 2 sprues sprue 9 and 9a are listed together with a sprue count of 2 I stupidly didnt count the number of oars on the sprues (there are 16 oars on each sprue) so the 2 on the parts list means 2 of each 9a and 9 (why didnt they list those to sprues separately or say 4 on the parts count, so now I have to go through the rigmarole of contacting heller again and waiting for the parts, this really is putting me off ever buying a heller kit again, I mean are all there kits like this, I dont think much of the're quality control if they dont even bother doing a sprue check on the contents of a kit.

kpnuts · « **Reply #66 on:** June 12, 2015, 03:23:41 AM »

Hi all here is as far as i can go its the side arms for her

FAAMAN · « **Reply #67 on:** June 12, 2015, 12:36:16 PM »

I've never had an issue with any of the 40 or so Heller kits I've built and missing bits, you must've got a kit produced late on a Friday arvo

kpnuts · « **Reply #68 on:** June 13, 2015, 10:20:00 PM »

Hi all was looking at this today and noticed the mast was bent.

so I thought how can I fix that and a cunning plan developed.
first break the top of the mast off then drill out a hole in the top of the mast and insert brass rod then reglue the top on

since this pic I decided I dont like the fore mast sail so have removed it was thinking of removing the main sail as well but my missus says no, what do you think would they have had one sail down and not the other or would they both be up or down.

kpnuts · « **Reply #69 on:** June 25, 2015, 05:03:57 AM »

Well I'm not sure what's going to happen with the La Reale I've contacted heller several times but no reply, the 32 oars I do have couldn't go all on one side said some are different so I can't put them all on one side and display it that way. Not sure I can be bothered with displaying it in dry dock being refitted (lot of work involved and I will always know she's not complete) too big to keep hanging round, maybe time to bite the bullet and stick her in the spares drawer. All I know is she's taking up valuable room, not sure the missus will let me scrap her but, I am rapidly losing interest in her.

kpnuts · « **Reply #70 on:** June 27, 2015, 12:47:38 AM »

Well I decided to have a go at making the missing parts and after 2 hrs and on my third attempt, this is what I have

I'm quite pleased with it, its a bit crude but when its installed I dont think it will notice too much.
I know one thing I will never buy another heller kit. its not the kits (the kwak apart) they are great kits I've loved the La Reale, its their complete ignorance I've sent 2 emails just asking would they let me know even if they are going to send the parts, not one single reply to 8 emails, now I call that down right rude. I intend to send one more email informing them that they are not the only kit manufacturer out there and if they treat all their customers the way they have treated me I wont be the only customer they loose.(since they obviously ignore emails it probably wont do any good but it will make me feel better) You don't buy model kit and expect to have to make the parts yourself. Rant over so only 15 more of these babys to make

kpnuts · « **Reply #71 on:** June 30, 2015, 01:19:58 AM »

Well they are sending the parts now.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #72 on:** June 30, 2015, 07:09:03 AM »

So, great communication skills, then. $:-\$

jcf · « **Reply #73 on:** July 01, 2015, 02:09:44 AM »

Good news on the oar parts. :)

Here's a graphic from the Conway History of the Ship volume The Age of the Galley that may be of interest, it
deals with the positioning of the oars at rest and under sail. The book goes into great detail on the rowing methods
of the French Med galleys of the period.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #74 on:** July 01, 2015, 12:41:56 PM »

What a superb ref you've found :) :)


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Author Topic: Heller 1/75 La Reale De France (Read 37345 times)