Hi everybody!

My name is István (Steve) Hevesi. I live in Budapest. I would like to join to A.R.C. with my latest project, the HELLER 1:35 Super Frelon. I like the A.R.C. because this is the best site of the world for modellers! I think this is the most beautiful kit of HELLER, but I suggest this kit only for experienced modellers. On opening the box and giving a closer closer inspection however, it becomes clear that this is a quality kit, but undoubtedly not all HELLER kits are.  This particular kit is moulded in the "standard" grey, and light brown plastic.

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The surface details are excellent, the transparencies are beautiful, being both clear and all of the framing is nicely raised. The two openable parts of the cockpit have sliding windows!!  After the assembly of major parts, the upper surface was sprayed with mixture of 50% matt and 50% gloss white Gunze acryls, and I left it to dry at least for two weeks. This is very important before masking.

Next step is the fluorescent orange above the cockpit. Extreme care should be taken during masking of white area, because there are "million" positive rivets and panel lines on the fuselage!  When I finished the masking, the entire airframe received a coat of middle blue.  I mixed this from different shades of semi-gloss Gunze blue paints.  The next step is very important as I mentioned earlier, -two weeks of drying-! Finally, the fluorescent orange on the tail and below the cockpit.

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After decaling, (with Gunze Mr. Mark Softer) a thin coat of Model Master semi-gloss clear lacquer was sprayed. I finished the model with drybrushing of aluminium and light grey pastel chalks.

Summary

This is an excellent kit and the end result is a fine model of this big helicopter, and with a lot of additional work, you can take pride in it on your table. I think it speaks for itself!  This aircraft is a very rare example to find both as a model and as a real-life machine as well.

Hope this contribution is useful for my fellow modellers visiting this great site. I also hope I will have the opportunity to come back and submit more for you to enjoy.

Istvan 

Budapest, Hungary

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