HELLER 85374 HELLER: NORD2501 + NORD 2502 "NORATLAS" TWINSET

Discover the HELLER NORD2501 + NORD 2502 NORATLAS TWINSET, a must-have plastic model kit for aviation enthusiasts and collectors alike. This remarkable model kit captures the essence of the Noratlas, which was pivotal in French military transport history from 1947 onward. Designed specifically for ease of loading, the Nord 2501 Noratlas featured a unique double-beam design that allowed for the transport of large cargo, making it a revolutionary aircraft of its time. With two removable shells for a spacious cargo hold, this model kit embodies the innovation of the original design.

The HELLER Noratlas model kit includes intricate details that allow builders to recreate the aircraft accurately. The kit is suitable for intermediate to advanced modellers, providing a rewarding challenge with each assembly step. After prototyping began in 1949 and official adoption in 1950, the Nord 2501 was soon followed by the Nord 2502 variant, which included upgraded engines for enhanced performance in hot conditions.

Construct a piece of aviation history with the HELLER NORD2501 + NORD 2502 NORATLAS TWINSET. Experience the joy of building and displaying this iconic military transport aircraft. Perfect for model builders who appreciate authenticity and quality in their plastic models.

Historical Background

Nord 2501 with propeller drive and Nord 2502 with propeller drive and additional Jet propulsion at the wingtips. The Noratlas, the linchpin of French military transport for many years, was launched in 1947 in response to a request from the French Air Force to replace its C-47 "Dakota" and Ju-52 aircraft. Its design was entirely focused on easy cargo loading. In 1950, officials approved the project, then known as the Nord 2500. Its double-beam construction, with a cargo hold opening through two removable doors, unlike its predecessors with a side door, allowed the transport of large loads. The first Nord 2500 prototype, powered by two 1,600 hp SNECMA 14R engines, took off on September 10, 1949. Since this engine was deemed inadequate, the 2,000 hp SNECMA/Bristol Hercules engine was preferred, which gave rise to the Nord 2501 "Noratlas," of which four prototypes flew shortly thereafter. Serial production of the Noratlas began in 1952 in France, then in Germany, after the acquisition of a manufacturing license to equip the Air Force. A total of 426 units of all versions were assembled in France (239) and Germany (187). The Air Force began using the Noratlas in 1953, with the first aircraft flying in Indochina the following year. The last "Greys," as the crews affectionately nicknamed the aircraft, were retired in October 1989, after 35 years of good and loyal service. The career of the Air Force Noratlas was shorter, ending in 1971, after the C-160 "Transall" had fully equipped the three transport squadrons. In the Nord 2502 version, the Noratlas was equipped with two Marboré engines on the wingtips, giving it additional power for takeoff in hot climates.