Heller 1/43 Jaguar XJR9 - Inbox Review

[Dave Ward]

Heller are another long time maker - based in France, they still turn out models, although most are very old tooling!
The Jaguar XJR9 was designed for the World Sportscar Championship & was the winner at Le Mans in 1988
The model dates back to 1989.....................

Sprue shots

Decals

Instructions:


Not exactly overdone - the paint referrals are to Heller/Humbrol colours.
Detail shots


At just over 100mm long, its only a tiddler! A few parts, but with careful painting should look good. Only tricky bit will be masking the lower part of the car to paint the purple. Otherwise an afternoons work from beginning to finish! Aimed at beginners, there's definitely something there for most car modellers.
Availability - No - strictly auction & pre-owned sites, although, you never know, Heller might surprise everybody! I got mine off ebay , this & the Heller Ferrari F1 for £14 delivered, the pair.
Dave

[Mini Me]

Looking at this design makes one wonder, how in the world, the pit crew were able to do a tire change with any degree of efficiency?

[stillp]

Looking at this design makes one wonder, how in the world, the pit crew were able to do a tire change with any degree of efficiency?

The rear wheel spats are on quick-release catches Rick.
Pete

[Dave Ward]

Pit stops at Le Mans are pretty laid back - nothing like the F1 frenzy! The fuel is gravity delivered at a standard rate - so several minutes isn't uncommon ( and they change drivers several times ). Minor & major maintenance is also carried out ( even gearboxes ), so a bit of body trim isn't a problem.
Dave

[Guest]

Looking at this design makes one wonder, how in the world, the pit crew were able to do a tire change with any degree of efficiency?

[ATTACH]450255[/ATTACH]

[Mini Me]

I was right.....very inefficient indeed!

[Dave Ward]

I was right.....very inefficient indeed!

Yup! so inefficient that they won!
Dave

[Guest]

I was right.....very inefficient indeed!

It’s a 24-hour race, though. Looking at last year’s results, the winners had two more laps than the No. 2: 371 vs. 369. Fastest ever lap time was, apparently, 3:14.791 minutes, so two laps behind is about 6:30 minutes, at the very best. Shaving a few dozen seconds off here and there isn’t likely to make a big difference to the final result, I would think.

[Mini Me]

Yeah and so effective they adopted it permanently?

[Dave Ward]

I have a vague recollection, that the rear wheel covers were to try to reduce fuel consumption. By limiting turbulent airflow round the 'open' wheels, they could reduce drag. I'd say that more advanced computer design programmes were able to achieve the same result without extra body panels!
Dave

[stillp]

I believe they also increased downforce by about 10% Dave.
Pete