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
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.
Superb build I hope mine turns out half as good,
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!
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.
Hi all here is todays efforts
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.
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.
Hi all well I’ve done all the flure de lys on one side (think I’ve gone cross eyed doing them)
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?
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.
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 .
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 !
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
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.
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!
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.
good news they are sending the parts, thanks yes I would love a set of the english instructions.
here is tonight’s bit
I wouldn’t wash the leaf. Let it be brilliant.
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.
