Profile Photo
Spiros Pendedekas
156 articles

Heller 1/72 Transall C-160

November 22, 2022 · in Aviation · · 37 · 1K

The C-160 is a military transport aircraft, produced by TRANSALL (TRANSporter ALLianz) manufacturing consortium, comprising the companies of MBB, Aerospatiale and VFW-Fokker.

The project arose from a late 1950's requirement of both France and Germany to replace the piston-engined Nord Noratlas transports operated by their air forces.

The type is a twin-engine design, featuring a cargo hold, a rear-access ramp beneath an upswept tail, and a high-mounted wing, able to perform cargo/troop duties and aerial delivery of supplies and equipment.

It has short airfield performance, including the ability to perform steep descents of up to 20 degrees and perform landings on airstrips as short as 400 meters.

Later production C-160s could carry up to 8.5 tons across a distance of 5,000 kilometers, taking off from airstrips as short as 700 meters.

Depending upon aircraft configuration, a single aircraft could airdrop as many as 88 paratroopers or transport up to 93 equipped troops. A very useful feature is that the whole plane can be lowered while on the ground through partial retraction of its landing gear, making it easier to move vehicles into the hold as they don't need to climb a ramp.

As of 2022, the C-160 still remains in service, almost 60 years after the type's first flight in 1963.

An ample performer, it has provided logistical support to overseas operations and has served in specialist roles such as an aerial refueling tanker, electronic intelligence gathering, and as a communications platform.

With 214 built, including export sales to South Africa and Turkey, as well as to a small number to civilian operators, this well designed, dependable aircraft is going to be replaced in French and German service by the Airbus A400M Atlas and a small number of Lockheed-Martin C-130J Super Hercules operated in a multinational unit.

The Heller kit offers a correct general shape and easiness of build, but lacks in detailing, especially in the interior.

Until the arrival of the more comprehensive (but more challenging to build) Revell offering in 2006, it was the only choice in 1/72 and, despite its shortcomings, Heller has to be endorsed for coming up with such a kit from as back as 1984.

Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/viet/fr/pen160.htm


Happy Modelling!

Reader reactions:
16  Awesome

37 responses

  1. Let me be the first to congratulate you, Spiros, on yet another Heller victory. It’s a nice looking aircraft which is more than reflected in your expert build and paint finish. The history is very informative as well without going into much technical detail. Another excellent post from your good self.

  2. She looks really nice, Spiros! Well done.

  3. Very nice Spiros! Beauty wingspan on this 1/72 bird!
    Great work on this Heller kit and another great MM post.

  4. Well done, Spiros - beautiful model and I enjoyed reading your write-up on this aircraft!

  5. Looks really nice! Great build

  6. Beautiful Transall, Spiros @fiveten
    Great presentation combined with interesting history about this iconic aircraft.
    Loved your article on MM as well.

  7. when it comes to modern aircraft, C-160 or C-130, or CASA are the only modern ones that I like. Amazing work! Beautiful painting!

  8. Another beauty my friend! Your "big wing span" collection continues to grow. When are you moving into a larger house to accommodate all those builds?! Or have you built a barn in the back yard?

  9. Nice! 160 is the area of the wing as far as I know?

  10. Extremely nice looking Transall, Spiros @fiveten. You did it again! Hard to believe this airplane first flew 60 yrs ago. It's right in there with the venerable C-130.

  11. The C-160 Transall (for Transalliance => France/Germany, if my memory is still good) is an excellent aircraft, used for duties to which it has not been designed for. Despite that, it has always been a loyal and reliable soldier for more than 50 years.
    Excellent job, Spiros, bravo! I hope sooner or later, Heller will redesign many models with recess lines and more details, because generally, shapes are excellent. This C-160 proves it. Again, great job!

  12. Excellent model - I've always liked this aircraft and you've captured its looks very well.

  13. Wow, Spiros (@fiveten), what a great looking Transall. When I was doing a lot of flying in Europe, these planes seemed to be everywhere. By the time I retired, a lot of countries had moved on to other transporters. I have seen the Heller kit, and you did a remarkable job to get such a sweet model.

  14. Nice work, Spiros. I’ve always thought the Transall looked like the hot rod of transports.

  15. Great build, Spiros! Nice scheme.

  16. Your usual good work, @fiveten, on a kit not often seen.

  17. Some folks like to collect fine wine, with the appropriate vintage and year to impress, others like to collect models and bring out the good stuff.

    You got some good stuff goin there Spiros.

    Cheers.

Leave a Reply