Heller 57071 1:400 STARTER KIT Aircraft Carrier Foch

Contains glue • brush • main colors

Discover the Heller Starter Kit Foch, a meticulously crafted model ship that captures the essence of naval history. This stunning scale model of the aircraft carrier Foch (R 99) is perfect for ship enthusiasts and model builders alike. Made from high-quality materials, this starter kit includes detailed parts and easy-to-follow instructions that ensure a seamless building experience.

Whether you're a seasoned modeler or just starting, the Heller Starter Kit Foch is ideal for honing your skills. With precision-engineered components, this model represents the second warship named after the illustrious Marshal Ferdinand Foch, known for his pivotal role in military history. Easily recognizable, the Foch features a sloping runway, steam catapults, and the ability to launch aircraft at impressive speeds.

This model is not only a fun project but also a unique decorative piece for any maritime enthusiast's collection. Enhance your hobby with this historic warship model kit, perfect for display or as a gift for avid model builders. Bring home a piece of French naval legacy today and enjoy the thrill of building the Foch, a true icon of maritime engineering.

Background

The aircraft carrier Foch (visual identifier R 99) was the sister ship of the Clemenceau. It was the second warship named in honor of Marshal Ferdinand Foch, who once declared: "Aircraft [...] have no military value." Laid down in February 1957, the Foch was built at the Atlantic Shipyards in Saint Nazaire and commissioned on July 15, 1963. Landings took place on the 165-meter-long inclined runway equipped with four landing gear. The two 50-meter-long steam catapults allowed the launch of aircraft weighing 15 to 20 tons at 110 knots.

Between 1980 and 1981, she underwent an IPER (Periodic Unavailability for Maintenance and Repair) program, which equipped her with a naval tactical information system, an inertial power plant for adjusting the aircraft platform before launch, missile bunkers for AM-39 Exocet missiles, and tactical nuclear weapons. She was capable of accommodating four or five AN-52s and the ASMP6 missile. After a 37-year career in the French Navy, she was sold to the Brazilian Navy on November 15, 2000, which finally disarmed her in November 2018.