SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Heller 1/75 La Reale De France

22049 views
84 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2014
Heller 1/75 La Reale De France
Posted by kpnuts on Thursday, April 16, 2015 12:42 PM

Hi all here is my build of Hellers Reale De France.

I have decided to guild it with real gold leaf

I'm having all sorts of trouble getting rid of the whispy bits of gold leaf which are not stuck to the size but wont brush off so ive decided to guild the whole part then paint over the gold.

some of the solid gold parts ive decide to put a wash over to highlight some of the detail

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Mordor
Posted by Sauron on Thursday, April 16, 2015 3:25 PM

I built mine some years ago and just hand painted the gold decorations.  You can see it here:

i198.photobucket.com/.../DSC004.jpg

Looks like you are off to a great start.  She is impressive when complete.  I'll be following your build.

"One Ring to Rule Them All, One Ring to Find Them, One Ring to Bring Them All, and in the Darkness Bind Them."
  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Thursday, April 16, 2015 3:34 PM

Superb build I hope mine turns out half as good,

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, April 17, 2015 8:36 AM

The big problem with mine, built a few years ago, is where to display it. I built it with the oars deployed.  That sucker is wide- about 15 inches!  I have nowhere to display it- no shelves nor cabinets nor mantles wide enough. It is sitting in a box in the basement!  That thing is big when finished!

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Saturday, April 18, 2015 9:26 AM

Yep she is big and i've not got to the oars yet I will worry about displaying it when its done, I dont tend to worry about that anyway they usually end up in a drawer or box, or even dismantled for parts, but I may make an exception for this one, she will be pretty.

Anyway here is last nights work.

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Sunday, April 19, 2015 12:09 PM

Hi all here is todays efforts

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Greenville, NC
Posted by jtilley on Sunday, April 19, 2015 12:39 PM

A fine model based on my favorite Heller kit. I just wish somebody would release a version in a smaller scale - say, 1/144 or 1/150. Heller did make a teeny Reale that,s just a few inches long , and is currently available from Revell. But it's hard to take seriously.

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, April 20, 2015 8:39 AM

As I get older and my hands and fingers don't work as well as they used to, I at first avoided the real small stuff, but I have changed my thinking, embracing "use it or lose it."  I bought that little kit of Reale.

In fact, I used to like those little 1:600 sailing ships that Airfix and Heller used to put out, and pick up any I see at swap meets.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Monday, April 20, 2015 1:46 PM

Hi all well I've done all the flure de lys on one side (think I've gone cross eyed doing them)

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Greenville, NC
Posted by jtilley on Monday, April 20, 2015 3:25 PM

It looks magnificent. Have you figured out what you're going to do with the finished model?

I started one of these many years ago, and my father, a retired architect whose aesthetic sense I deeply respected, came up with an interesting idea: hang it from the ceiling, over the dining room sideboard. I think that would have looked great - for a few months, before the ship got covered with dust. I never figured out a way around that one. But it was a neat idea....

Don, how does that little kit look? Is it worth trying?

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 9:05 AM

The little kit is pretty simple, not a lot of detail, as one might expect.  Still, for such an interesting subject it is okay, and the price is fairly inexpensive.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 9:58 AM

I seem to have had a Galley Kit years ago . I don't remember it too well , It was one of the wife's favorites . I do remember it was about a foot long though .

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 10:01 AM

Well ! Excuse Me !

    Now ain't that the Cat's Meow ! WOW !!! and all the other non - offensive  expletives . At first I thought Holy Cow , but that doesn't come close . What an awesome Job ! You want to do My Soliel Royale ? Just joking ! Honest !

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Marysville, WA
Posted by David_K on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 10:41 PM

That gold work is impressive, kpnuts!  And the stern area is incredible....good job...in fact, the whole thing looks pretty sweet!

What do you use for wash over the gold leaf?

I have this kit in the stash (reserved for a later date)...can you speak a little about how you like it, in terms of part fit, molding, instructions, etc.?

Again, terrific work...can't wait to see more progress!

Dave

        _~
     _~ )_)_~
     )_))_))_)
     _!__!__!_         
     (_D_P_K_)
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~~~~~~

Current Project:  Imai/ERTL Spanish Galleon #2

Recently Finished: Revell 1/96 Cutty Sark

Next Up:  ???

 

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 1:05 AM

Hi all firstly thanks for all the encouraging replys. Good news is I received an email today from heller, if the parts are in stock they will be sending them out this week if not it will be when they do another run.

The kit fit wise is ok, not great everything has needed some adjustment but it is certainly not the worst kit I've ever built. The worst part is the instructions (but that is well known anyway) there is one page of written English instructions and 17 in French (there are 4 sets of complete instructions in other languages though). The ornate moulding is of the highest standard though, some of the best I've seen, however on the simpler moulding they have not given the same thought and there are pin marks everywhere, there is a parts count of 900 and I think there is probably double that in ejector pin marks, for instance the red ribs the oars go on(sorry don't know what they are called ) each have three pin marks and there must be 80 of those and that's just those parts. But I can see even for someone with limited skills like me it will build into a very impressive model and imho is definitely worth the money, I would say it is definitely not for a first time modeler, the box rates it as expert, as does their website site but I am far and away from expert and I am managing with it (when it comes to the rigging that may well change) The wash I am using is AK interactive AK2071 brown and green paneliner. Blimey that must be the longest I've written. This is just my opinion and as I said I am no expert so feel free to disagree or ignore but as I was asked if hope this is of some help. In ending I don't know if what I've written would put someone off but unless you are a beginner don't be I am enjoying the build and I am sure whoever buys it will and will probably do a much better job.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 9:07 AM

Yes, the carving and ornamentation on the large scale Heller models is exquisite.  I love doing the gold painting over a background color on those.  You really get a sense of accomplishment on that.  To me doing the gilding painting is a lot more fun than rigging!

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Mordor
Posted by Sauron on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 10:25 AM

I have those instructions in english.  if you want a copy, let me know and I'll email them to you.

I had the same problem with how to display it so I ended up designing a display cabinet for two ships, one over the other.  My father and I built it in his shop.  He passed away just a couple years later so that was a special time.

"One Ring to Rule Them All, One Ring to Find Them, One Ring to Bring Them All, and in the Darkness Bind Them."
  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 1:50 PM
good news they are sending the parts, thanks yes I would love a set of the english instructions.
here is tonight's bit
  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 4:14 PM

I wouldn't wash the leaf. Let it be brilliant.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Thursday, April 23, 2015 2:40 PM

Hi all well I'm afraid this is as far as I can go till the parts come so hopefully they will be here soon.
I cant glue the two boxes on yet as I would not be able to get the other cannons in so this is it for now.

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Monday, April 27, 2015 11:07 AM

Emailed Heller and have been told the parts were shipped on the 23rd so hopefully not long to wait.  Still won't get much done as off on hols in a fortnight.

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Thursday, April 30, 2015 2:32 PM

Hi all well I'm back on this one again.

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Thursday, April 30, 2015 4:15 PM

All , I can say at this time is OH MY !

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Friday, May 1, 2015 2:27 PM

hi all here is tonights update

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Sunday, May 3, 2015 1:56 AM

From the drawings, I'd always had a question about how the guns were to be worked.  And the model depicts that very well.  Of course being   Of course, being a Royal Yacht  means having elaborate canon is for "show" not for combative use.

Superb (o superbe) build, well worthy of the name--"the Royalty of France."

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Sunday, May 3, 2015 10:40 AM

well here is yet another update on this one, yawn.

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 3:33 PM

Hi all another update.

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 2:50 PM

Hi all here is where I am at on this now, wont get much more done as on hols soon, Yippee

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by kpnuts on Friday, May 8, 2015 2:16 PM

Hi all well here it is last build post on this before we are on hols

just one question, the rigging thread which\that(dont know the correct word) comes with the kit is off white, is that right, as the only rigging colour I've seen is black ( or at least it looks black) I thought they used tarred rope so that would make it black

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Greenville, NC
Posted by jtilley on Friday, May 8, 2015 2:34 PM

The rigging of a sailing ship is divided into two parts. Standing rigging holds up the masts. Running rigging controls the yards and sails. Standing rigging generally was coated with tar - usually Stockholm tar, which is a dark, rich brown. Running rigging, because it had to run through various blocks and other fittings, generally was left untreated.

I'm afraid the best thing to do with the thread that came with the kit is to throw it in the waste basket. Line in plastic ship kits is notoriously cheap. For such a beautiful model as the one you're working on, I'd recommend that you consider buying some line from Syren Ship Model Company, which is generally thought to have the best in the business. A Reale doesn't really have much rigging; the necessary line wouldn't be too expensive. Here's the link: www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/miniature-rope.php .

There's been quite a bit of argument over the years about the right colors for rigging on ship models.

If I were you, I'd pick the dark brown for the standing rigging and light brown for the running rigging. The dark brown looks to my eye like rope soaked in Stockholm tar, and the light brown looks like well-used untreated rope.

Good luck. This is going to be a superb model. As a matter of fact, it already is.

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.