Heller 1/150 Corsair

warshipguy, Thank you! 

Tiredmarine, you're right!  Actually, from what I've found from  research , the La Tartane is the correct name for the ship.  Heller reboxed their La Tartane kit and renamed it "Corsair,"  which is just a made-up name as far as I can tell, and, which, incedentally, is the version of the kit I have.

The Corsair is not of the same type as the Golden Hind, However I believe the one called "The Elizabethan" is actually the Golden Hind.  I have the Elizabethan and that is what is looks like.

The Corsair is very similar to another Heller kit called 'La Tartane'

Warshipguy,

The Heller Corsair is a relatively small model.  The model represents a type of ship, rather than a specific subject.  They were originally developed for trade and fishing, but because of their speed, maneuverability,  and variety of rigging options, they developed into warships as well. I believe the box info stated they could hold  4 cannon and 4 blunderbusses.  They have a somewhat similar appearance to the Chebec style of vessel, but considerably smaller.  The subject of the kit has two masts - main and mizzen, two lateen rigged yards and a 3rd triangular sail in the bow.  Like the Chebec, this vessel was used mainly in the Mediterranean.

Heller put out a series of smaller sailing ships.  The kits are relatively simple, but can turn out really nice.  For me, I tend to replace the molded sails, etc...

I have an extra Chebec, as well as the Aurora/Heller Soleil Royale and the Victory. 

I was pleased with the way the Chebec turned out.  It took 1st place in the non-power ship class, Best Ship, and Best in Show at our regional model show last May.  It's a great kit.

I can't claim to have kept track of all the Heller kits and reissues, but I'm reasonably certain that the one they call "Corsair" is in fact a slightly modified reissue of the Revell Golden Hind.  I may well be mistaken, though; the relationships between Heller and various other companies over the years have been so complex that they're really beyond the reach of normal mortals to sort them out. 

Bigb123,

Greetings!  Welcome to the Forum!

Although I am very familiar with sailing ship kits throughout the decades, I do not believe that I have ever heard of the Heller Corsair.  What type of ship is it?

And, anytime you want to get rid of either of those Chebec kits, please let me know!

Bill Morrison

One more thing..speaking of the Chebec, I have two of those kits.  Boy, are they nice!  But, those are projects for a different day...just got too much other stuff to finish up. 

Mac,

Thank you for the offer.  i have found my copy since i posted this.  And, I should have posted the news.  I really do apprecieate the offer, though.  But,  I tell you what..I also have a kit of the 1/50 Sardane that I need instructions for.  If you have that one, I could use them.  But, please do NOT open a sealed kit; I can figure something else out.  I know the vaule of a sealed kit to my self, and I do not ask such a thing from anyone.  Thanks again for your help!

I do have this model, it's actually still in shrink wrap.  I'm only a little reluctant to open it, but if no one else has a set of directions, I'll make a copy for you.  It's a nice little kit.  Also, I have an entire collection of Heller sailing ships, the 1/400 scale German naval vessels of WWII and many of their modern kits.  Some are still shrink wrapped.  I do have some duplicates, and I can make copies of instructions.  Some are in French, some in English. 

Talk to you soon.

ps - the photo is of the 1:50 scale Heller Kit 'Le Chebec'

Mac

The kit number is 80616.  Thank you!