Heller 1/35 Super Frelon

The SA 321 Super Frelon ("Super Hornet") is a large single-rotor heavy transport helicopter, produced by the French Sud Aviation (later Aérospatiale). Furnished with a relatively atypical three-engine configuration, it held at one point the distinction of being the most powerful helicopter to be built in Europe, as well as being the world's fastest one, with a recorded speed of 217.7 mph (350.4 km/h).

With its maiden flight taking place on 7 December 1962, the Super Frelon came out as a more powerful development of the original SE.3200 Frelon, which had failed to enter production. Whereas both civilian and military versions were produced, the type was predominantly sold to military customers. Production was terminated in 1981, due to a lack of orders. A total of 110 were built.

It was most heavily used by naval air arms, such as the French Navy and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force. On 30 April 2010, the type was retired by the French Navy, having been gradually replaced by the NH90. It was in use for an extended period within China, where it was manufactured under license and sold as the Harbin Z-8. A modernised derivative of the Z-8, marketed as the Avicopter AC313, performed its first flight on 18 March 2010.

THE KIT

This venerable kit was first introduced in 1975 (non-radar version), with an additional 7 commando figures. From the mid-80s and onwards it was offered as the radar version with Exocet missiles, with the final kit evolution being the 2004 “G” version, which includes the radar but neither the Exocets, nor the 7 commando figures. This last version is the one I tackled.

Bought for around a very sensible €40 back in 2006, this kit comes in the nice typical Heller big top-opening box, with a beautiful boxart, which portrays a Super Frelon performing a SAR operation. Upon opening the box, you are understandably treated with a lot of plastic: first thing you notice are the two massive fuselage halves, followed by the rest of the parts in 7 sprues of light gray soft-ish styrene, packed in three bags. External detail is plenty, raised allover, with the characteristic riveting very realistically represented. In fact, I dare to say that raised detailing looks much more accurate than engraved would look, when representing heavy riveted (in real life) subjects, especially at such big scales! All prominent external areas are well addressed (blades, exhausts, landing gear with sponsons, winch mechanism, bazillion of aerials, latches etc) and the rotor hubs look believable. General shape looks good, as well.

Regarding the innards, the cockpit is also adequately represented (but no seat belts are provided). Of course, one could never stop super detailing a 1/35 helo cockpit, utterly visible through that extensive glazing! Regarding the cargo interior, all seats are to be fabricated with styrene framing, onto where you have to attach suitably cut pieces of the sheet provided, which represents the fabric parts. Other than an axe and a fire extinguisher, no other cargo area details are provided, meaning that if you want to leave the side doors and/or rear ramp open, you might have to perform some extra-detailing there.

Transparencies are extensive and well molded. They are clear and, thankfully, separately packed. Sewing thread and thin wire are also provided, in order to represent the antennas wiring and hoist line. Total parts count is in the neighborhood of 400!

Instructions come at a very attractive 8-language, b/w, A4 size, 36 page booklet, which contains an informative history, a parts list and a well spread build sequence in 40 clear steps. Only Humbrol color callouts are given all over, with the corresponding paint name also provided. Just one camo scheme is called for, an attractive wraparound 2-shade gray, the last worn by Aéronavale.

The decal sheet is quite extensive, with 9 different tail codes provided. It contains all cockpit instrumentation panels (a bit toy-ish looking) and also a good number of stencils. Since small differences might be observed over time between the Aéronavale machines (like radome color or rotor warning stripes), it might be a good idea to do relative net research on the specific machine, depicted at the specific time. Regarding decals quality, the typical Heller (and older Airfix) off-color registering is here, thankfully, not that severely. At least, color shades look good.

CONSTRUCTION

Having decided to model my Super Frelon with doors and ramp closed, I started by attaching the two side doors onto the fuselage halves, followed by the cabin windows from the insides ( I did a less than perfect job there...). I then went on doing subassemblies, an activity I carry out with great pleasure, especially at kits such as this with a high number of parts, as it transforms the seemingly chaotic multipart look into something more “bundled” and consistent.

So, I first assembled the pair of 13-piece front seats. They were painted RAF Blue (Hu96), with French Blue (Hu14) down cushions, Marine Green (Hu102) back cushions and had cream seat belts added made of masking tape. I then went on and assembled the cockpit, with all its components, instrument panels and consoles, 39 pieces in total. The floor was painted blue gray (Hu79), all the rest (sticks, pedals, consoles etc) were painted RAF Blue, with black grips and consoles top areas. The corresponding decals were applied, the seats were attached and the whole subassembly was left aside.

The whole engine area is represented by a longitudinal base, onto which three engine "representations" are attached. These “engines” are a 5-piece affair each, providing sufficient looks at their intake and exhaust area, which is ok for the closed panel kit provided configuration. The intakes were painted aluminum, the exhausts Testors burned metal and the base sea gray.

With my airbrush, I first gave the exhaust side fuselage areas a coat of black, then masked them off. I subsequently gave everything a coat of Hu127 US Ghost Gray. With my Vario at its finest settings, I subsequently freehanded the darker gray, which was Hu126 US Medium Gray (only the radome’s front part was masked, as the demarcation line was hard). I then removed the masks and painted a small portion of the black exhaust gases area Testors Steel, which I believe it’s titanium in real life.

The whole model then received a coat of Future and I went on adding the decals. They adhered well, succumbing very nicely to all that riveting. The extensive stenciling added a lot of realism, especially at this “bigger” scale. The slight “off – registration” is noticeable, but not too much. A coat of future sealed the decals.

FINAL BITS

I attached the sponsons and the vertical stabilizer in position, together with their respective supporting struts, then attached the hoist, the side ladder and all three landing gear legs. The three pairs of two piece wheels were assembled, filed a tad to look weighted, painted aluminum with black tires and were attached as well.

The bazillion of various antennas, masts, latches, handles and the like were accordingly painted and subsequently attached to their corresponding positions, followed by the three port side wire antennas, which were replicated by using silver stretched sprue, tightened by applied hot air with my wife’s hairdryer. The rear rotor assembly was attached in position, too.

In real life, despite the purpose painted black panels, surrounding engine staining was very quickly becoming quite prominent, mostly aft and under the blackened area; this was replicated by various dark shades of dry pastels. Some general weathering was then applied all over, but not too much, since Aéronavale Super Frelons seemed to be kept in near pristine condition. A satin towards matt cote gave the helo its final hue.

The front glazing was then affixed into place. Fit was not perfect, leaving tiny gaps and, most importantly, contour mismatch. The former was dealt with faired white glue , the latter was “left as is”. I then carefully attached the already painted radome at the front. Two (top and bottom) beacons were attached and painted Humbrol clear red. A third bottom beacon was left "clear".

Spiros Pendedekas

20 May 2021

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