Considering this model dates back to 1994, it's remained in surprisingly good condition.

This is Heller's original boxing of the CL-215, in the yellow-orange plastic dating back to the early 1980s.

If I remember correctly, the fit was generally good, but I did sand away most of the raised rivet detail on the upper, forward fuselage. The joint between the lower wings and the fuselage is weak and has popped several times. The wings also sag over time, so I would reinforce them using a brass rod next time.

I remember the yellow was my first attempt at airbrushing Tamiya Flat Yellow. The other colours were a combination of whatever acrylics I could find lying around the work bench.

It's been more than two decades since I built this model, but what surprises me the most is how intact it has stayed. In all that time, the only damage I've repaired has been a broken main wheel and a broken propeller shaft.

Although its certainly not up to my current building standard, this was a) the first model I used a clear coat on (Tamiya flat base), and b) the first model I ever entered in a contest. I think I won best junior or something.

One lesson I learned was that decals need a gloss undercoat. Although they look okay from a distance, almost all of the Leading Edge decals silvered.