by Roger Torgeson
1/400 FN Richelieu (Heller)
I built the Heller Richelieu 5 years ago and before L'Arsenal had released any of their 1/400 upgrade parts. By using a number of photos and the Robert Dumas book on Richelieu I was able to detail out the basic kit with doors, hatches, ladders, ventilators, cable reels and equipment lockers. Modifications to both the 40mm and 20mm gums were made with additional directors for the 40mm being added. Gold Metal Models PE was used as well as some L'Arsenal PE. The old Heller kit was an enjoyable build even when I let the camouflage scheme scare me off for a length of time till I figured how to go about painting it. I tried to model the ship as it was in September of 1943, before a new mast and radar was added to the forward main gun directors and modifications to the hull camopuflage had been made.
