1/43rd scale Heller 1948-1953 Citroen 2CV

[tatocorvette]

Hello,




Talking to my good friend and excellent modeler Robert W. from Canada, I mentioned the current build-off I am participating with the local guys.  The Talbot I'm building is for that build-off.  About the time I started my Talbot, he started a Delage 8SS (which is already finished) and we have been discussing French cars and their history for a few weeks now. To my nice surprise, I received an unexpected package from him: He sent me this Heller Citroën 2CV in 1/43 scale! We have talked a lot about this car which has always been made fun of. But this car is important in French history. Like the Model T in the US and the Beetle in Germany, it took the automobile concept to the masses, especially farmers that were still using horses in the mid 20th century.
Great gesture! So it seems I'll be building another French car, even if it will not be part of the buildoff.

Thanks,
Ismael

[tatocorvette]

Hello again,

The 2CV had an impressive 42 year production run, from 1948 to 1990. The box art depicts a car from around 1960. But the model itself is slightly different. According to my research, the model represents a very early model and I am thinking it may be representing the press unveiling car from 1948. Extremely simple kit: 1 piece body, 1 piece chassis plate, 2 seats, steering wheels, 2 headlights, 1 piece clear windows and tires. That's it.
I will NOT go crazy on it but at least I plan to replace the clear parts as those are too thick. Not even armor plate is that thick at that scale. 

Thanks,
Ismael

[kyledehart5]

Cool. An iconic car the 2cv and in 1/43. That’s fun.

[Joel_W]

Ismael,
At 1st I had to laugh at the subject matter, as I've always consider the Citroën 2CV to be one of, it not the ugliest cars ever made. But after reading your brief history of the car, just maybe it's not, as the shape does mimic the Beetle some what.

Not counting replace the foot thick glass, this is going to be the closest to a OOB that you may ever post in these hollow pages.

joel

[High Plains Stoner]

I rented one of those when I was in the Army and stationed in Germany. It was a super fun car to drive, totally unlike anything else on the road.

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  Been a small kit of a small car, there is really not much to be done to it.

I mean, who is going to re-profile the roof to make it a canvas roof all the way down to properly replicate a pre-1953 car? 


And it makes no sense to drill the gas cap at this scale to add a better one








or even re-scribing the one piece body to look like separate pieces





Thanks,
Ismael

[Joel_W]

Ismael,
Just knew that you couldn't do this super small build OOB. Very nice re-scribing for sure. Looking forward to how you create that iconic canvas top.

joel

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

First color coat. 1958 Corvette Panama yellow.  Keep in mind the roof is canvas and will be other color.


Thanks,
Ismael

[Joel_W]

Ismael,
1st color coat really looks quite good. I see you used MCW paints. Thought that you were a ScaleFinish paint guy?

joel

[tatocorvette]

Funny story: I was MCW user until Cobra Colors came along. Then when Cobra Colors went out of business I went Scalefinishes up to today.
Those 2 MCW bottles (and a few others) are at least 20 years old...
A good shake ' stir and they are as good as new.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Joel_W]

Ismael,
Now that makes sense even to me.

I'm at war with Mr. Color except for their leveling thinner as all their lacquer paints and clears slowly but surely have the thinner along with some other chemicals evaporate and become absolutely useless. I had a factory packed and sealed 6 case of their Clear Gloss and went to use one bottle for the gloss clear over the decals, and every single bottle was bone dry. Same for a lot of their paints. Yet, Gravity of Spain, Alcad, and ScaleFinishes all years old and most some what used are exactly the right consistency. Even Tamiya paints have weathered my layoff to a great degree.

joel