Heller SA

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kit by Heller

Heller SA is a French company that produces plastic scale model kits of aircraft, cars, and ships. As of July 21, 2006 the company is in the French equivalent of administration (Redressement Judiciare).

[edit] History

Heller was founded in Paris in 1957. Its first model kit was a 1/100 scale Sud Aviation Caravelle, produced the following year. In 1963, a production facility was established in Trun, Orne.

Heller was acquired by the Hobby Products Group of Borden, owners of British model company Humbrol, in 1981. In 1986, rival kit maker Airfix also joined the group. Production of Airfix kits would subsequently move to the Heller factory in Trun. Heller, with the rest of the Group was sold to an Irish investment company, Allen & McGuire, in 1994. In 2005, Heller was the subject of a management buy-out. However, the following year, the company went into administration.