Question regarding Heller "Wasa" on ebay vs. Airfix "Wasa"

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Hello: Does anyone know whether the following kit is the same than the kit from Airfix:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wasa-Heller-Plastic-model-ship_W0QQitemZ120025367653QQihZ002QQcategoryZ4248QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I wonder because the scale in the ebay item is given with 1/144. The Airfix kit has also a scale of 1/144. But the ebay offer indicates an overall length of 70 cenimeters (30") when assembled whereas the Airfix kits are listed with an overall length of 50 centimeters (20").

Thanks,
Kater Felix

2

I’m virtually certain they’re the same kit - and a fine one it is. (I have two reservations about it: the “dummy” guns on the lower decks and the scale, which I wish was bigger.) It sounds like the e-bay vendor didn’t know how to use a ruler.

3

I have the Heller Wasa, and yes, it is the Airfix Wasa, with “Heller style”. Parts are moulded in a brown plastic, lighter than the dark brown-black Airfix plastic, and there is still a “frame” for the ratlines. Length is 20", not 30".

Michel

4

The ebay seller is strange because I won on the two other items he offered: Heller “La Sirene” and Heller “Le Saint Louis”. I got the two items for $ 23,- ($9 La Sirene + $15 Le Saint Louis).

So I saved $75 otherwise when bought at a shop (they go for $50 each). Typically I like it to buy at local hobby shops (they have to make a living too and recently I orded the Heller “Le Gladiateur” from al local shop) but sometimes I cannot withstand such good deals on ebay. Even when including shipping costs and local taxes I saved about 30$.

I for one like the Heller sailing ships. It must have to do with the fact that when I was a young boy I bought always Heller sailing ships at a local hobby shop (I recall they did not have any Revell ships at all).

Btw: Lately I red about a very interesting method to cope with ratlines/shrouds from Heller WITHOUT tying knots: one uses “Pattex” glue and mix it up with ordinary thinner. Then one can apply (giving a coat) it by means of a brush unto the shrouds/ratlines in the “frame”. The fellows claims that will work wonderfully. I think the end results must look like the ones one can find in the Airfix kits.

Regards,
Kater Felix

5

For someone looking for a reasonably priced model of the Wasa, you might look at Paper Model Internationals model that builds to 28" long. If you don’t like paper one might consider using it for a patern for a wooden model. Once the hull is built you could finish the rigging off conventionally with wood and cloth.they’re at Paper Models .net

6

Reklein:

It might be me but I’m having trouble finding the Wasa (or Vasa) on the website you suggested. Is it possible to provide a direct link to this page? Or else tell us who the manufacturer of the kit is.

Thanks,

7

bryan01,

The site is www.papermodels.net. Look for it under odds n,ends. The manufacturer is ALCAN there are 370 parts,rated at moderate difficulty Stock no.1256 for $25.95 U.S. Keep in mind its a paper model. You get a magazine like book with the parts printed out on the pages. Sounds overly simple and if your looking for dead on accuracy it won’t happen. But they make a very interesting deecorative model. I see you’re in the Netherlands. Most of these paper kits are imported from Europe and I don’t know the country of origin for ALCAN.

8

I almost forgot, You might try Marcle Models in the UK. Marcle should google up immediatly. ALCAN did not.

9

bryan01,

O.K. one last time and this should do it. Go to www.cardmodelers.org and read a review of the kit by a guy who’se built one. You’ll find it under kit reviews Alcan Wasa.