Beechcraft UC-45F Expeditor – Revell (ICM) 1/48
Good day iModelers, today I'd like to present a kit that I had time to put some finishing touches on just this morning. The kit is a Revell boxing of ICM's Beechcraft Model 18, and in particular a C-45 variant used by the USAF. The build was out of the box, save for the antenna wires.
The kit itself is well designed, builds up without much trouble, and should be your kit of choice if this subject matter interests you. The kit includes a nominal interior with five passenger seats, which despite all the windows and the posable rear door, is not able to be seen very well. The engines are not very well detailed, but they present ok in the cowlings. Inside the cowling is also an engine mount structure, and support structure for the main landing gear. This assembled and fit well, however, like the interior, much of these assemblies are unable to be seen.
The finish for the aircraft was done much the same way as my last T-33, that is using MMP Chrome overtop Mr 1500 black primer. In general, each panel was sprayed separately, thus retaining some shading and panel unevenness. I think it looks good from a distance, but up close it's noticeably painted. After the main color was sprayed, I masked off and sprayed both the yellow cowls, and then the doped controls surfaces were oversprayed with Vallejo White Aluminum for a lacquered look. This was sealed with X-22 for decaling.
The USAF aircraft that the decals are provided for was interesting enough for me to use the kit decals, which were matte, and a slight bit out of register in some locations. However they conformed fairly well, and the matte finish was not noticeable once a subsequent coat of X-22 was applied. After the seal-coat was dry, the OD anti-glare panels and black wing leading edges were masked and painted. Control surfaces were brushed with diluted matte varnish, and then the entire aircraft was given a dark gray oil wash. Following this, I used some streaking grime for around the engines, added the props and antennae, and called it complete.
I really enjoyed this build, both for being different, but also nothing too challenging. Also I'm enjoying trying new techniques for NMF aircraft. Other than a few missing details, the kit provides nice looking results. One thing I noticed is that the kit shows the wheel spokes being outward, whereas the real aircraft has the brake rotors outward facing, and a large brake caliper visible. I didn't bother making a caliper, and thus decided the spoked side of the wheel displayed better, just fyi.
Per the instructions, this aircraft was part of the 2nd Electronics Squadron, based at Olmsted Field, PA in 1948. I hope you like it!
Very well done , Andrew ! It’s a great looking Beechcraft.
Nice looking NMF build.
Fantastic looking model! Great job on the natural metal finish!
Well done, Andrew (@pb_legend). The paint and decals are immaculate. I have always thought that the Model 18/C-45 was one of the most elegant looking planes for its time.
After seeing this great build, I am going over to YouTube for sound! Nicely done.
Excellent model, Andrew! Your NMF is wonderfully rendered!
Superb build, Andrew @pb_legend
Like the others said, painting and weathering looks very nice.
Really beautiful NMF!
Really nice job on an unusual and attractive looking subject Andy , well done mate.
Really neat, Andrew, good looking plane.
Nice job, Andrew. Very eye appealing.
Well done, Andrew!
Love the patina you achieved on the NMF - looks great!
Nice work Andrew . We took a ride in one of those once at a state fair . Epic plane.
Thanks everyone for having a look, and also for the compliments!
Nice work! When I see one of these Beechcrafts I always remember that scene in It's A Mad Mad World where one flies through a hanger and a billboard.
Very well done Andrew @pb_legend. I've been eyeing this kit for sometime and it's nice to hear you enjoyed building this with no problemas. One of these days... in the meantime I will re-watch "MMWorld" - a great comedy ensemble with not one dirty word uttered by anybody. How bout Ben Blue as the geezer biplane pilot?