1:43 ALPINE A310 V6

Alpine A310 V6 in 1:43 scale, a Heller kit

An injection-molded plastic kit of the French Alpine A310 sports coupe with the V6 engine, in 1:43 scale from the brand Heller. With cars, 1:43 is the scale typical of collections in which a large number of vehicles comes together in a small space. Kits of this format tend to be simpler than models in 1:24 scale, which makes them a good choice for a shorter build or for first attempts at painting a body. The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted.

The real subject

The Alpine A310 is a French sports coupe with the engine at the rear and a fiberglass body on a backbone frame, that is with the construction typical of this brand. In the version with the six-cylinder V6 engine the car received a more powerful power unit and a reworked rear end, which made it the best known form of the model. In looks it is marked by a wedge profile, a striking front end with a bank of headlamps and a rear wing on the sportier variants.

Building and painting tips

In 1:43 scale the parts are small, so work with tweezers and dose the glue in the smallest possible amount, so that it does not run out over the visible surfaces. Clean the body up and spray a primer, or the marks left by the parting line of the mold will stand out. Lay the paint on in thin coats; on a small body drips form easily. Glue the glazing with a glue for clear parts. Small details such as the door handles and the trim strips are best brought out with a thin brush or with a marker pen with a pigment tip, which does not run outside the engraved line.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of French cars in 1:43 scale
• Modelers who want a build for a shorter time without great demands on space
• Anyone interested in the sports cars of the 1970s and 1980s
• Builders putting together a larger collection of cars in one scale

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.