Citroen 15-Six "Traction Avant" - 1952 - Heller - 1/8

[DominiqueBeerts]

At last !
Every day I saw this box lying on the top shelf of that store. Fourteen year old Dominique could only look and drool, because he did not have enough money to buy it.
Later on, he did have enough coin, but then the store had closed long ago. Some invention called "internet", and an obscure thing ("eBay" I believe it is) made it possible he could buy that same box. I tried that "eBay"-thing and finally the Heller came into my possession after all.

It took me 3 years to complete this model car I love so much. When you have been waiting so long to get a go at it, then you want to do it decently. I tried some new things here and there. Paid more attention when detail painting and added a few extra's since the size of kits like these invite you to do so.

It is no starter's kit, let that be clear. It needs all your attention and you must plan ahead when you want things to get together like they should. If I had to do it again, I would choose to add the firewall and front fenders to the body and then spray the whole thing in one go. You can perfectly mask the firewall when spraying the body. This way you can adjust and make it fit better. Also do the door fitting (and more specifically the hinges) BEFORE you have sprayed everything. It gives you more freedom when things need to be adjusted then when working on a painted body ...

To those who will be (or already are) building theirs: insert led lights. Headlights, beamers and back light have enough room to host them, and it gives the model a nice extra.

Good luck with yours, and please post your build blog.
You can find my build report here .

Here are the pictures, because that is why you are here for, right?















































Thank you for the massive interest and support on this looooong build.

[ChillyB]

This is the first time I've seen one of these completed. Congratulations on a superb, if long, build. The Traction Avant is one of my all-time favorite cars and I've built Heller's 1/24 version a couple of times, but I do not have the nerve to try one of these giant sized ones.

It's going to take me a while to go back through pictures to absorb all the wonderful details. Gorgeous car.

[ianc911]

Looks fantastic! Took awhile, but you have a unique, superb model that you can really be proud of, and it looks like you realized a dream as well!

Congrats,

ianc

[bradfordian]

The engine bay looks soo real!

[gulfclk]

Ah ... glad it is finished. Let's Peugeot then!

[Veyron]

You did a great job on that, grats!

[MPWR]

Gorgeous, what a lovely build!

I think that this is an excellent candidate for MOTY next year.

[corvettekid_7684]

A true masterpiece! Congratulations!

[gtziaf]

Congratulations and from me. Bravo!!!

[generationx]

Stunning job, a museum piece. Excellent!

[Citroen TA]

Congratulations, You did it!

[ChristopheB]

It looks superb and the engine bay seems very realistic. I particularly like the headlights.

[DominiqueBeerts]

Thanks for the nice comments, guys! I appreciate it.

[Kjenjak]

Wonderful build of a true classic. Perfect!

[cinqster]

Hells bells Dom, you've finished it!!!!

Beautiful job mate and thoroughly enjoyed your build...just wish I could find one for myself at the right price!

John