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Hans Peter Tschanz
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Twin-Bonanza E-50 Swiss Air Force

July 1, 2024 · in Aviation · · 5 · 187

With the gradual decommissioning of the Messerschmitt Me-108 B Typhoon aircraft, the Swiss Air Force had to Look for a new type of aircraft as a Transport and Touring aircraft. The choice fell on the Twin Bonanza E-50. This versatile aircraft proved itself very well in all respects and was in service as the

E.50 Twin Bonanza A-712 from October 26, 1957 to April 22, 1989 in use.

The civil registrations were: HB-HOU, HB-HOV and HB-HOW.

E.50 Twin Bonanza A-711 October 17, 1957 to April 22, 1989

E.50 Twin Bonanza A-713 November 29, 1957 to April 22, 1989

As only three units were available, additional Transport capacity had to be sought, especially for Pilot Transport, When all Messerschmitt Taifun 108 Aircraft were decommissioned at that time

The kit is a Beech RU-8D “Seminole” Scale 1:72 from Croco

https://www.flieger-hanspeter.ch/Twin-Bonanza-E_50.htm

Reader reactions:
12  Awesome 1 

7 additional images. Click to enlarge.


5 responses

  1. Excellent result, Hans Peter!

  2. Well done, Hans Peter (@messerschmitt). I don't think I have ever seen one of these models. It looks like it went together very well and your paint work is immaculate. Very cool.

  3. The kit is a Beech RU-8D "Seminole" Scale 1:72 from Croco, as I'm not really a resin fan, this kit was a challenge. First I looked at the parts, some of them were quite brittle in processing and had air bubbles in the fuselage and Wing. Some of them had to be filled because they had formed bubbles.

    This was a Job, but one at a time. The fuselage halves were separated and carefully sanded and glued together with superglue, the cockpit Area was primed and painted, as were the Panel, control horns, seats and radio System. Then I had to cut a frame out of Plastics Sheet at the end of the cockpit Area and attach it with superglue so that the Canopy could be adjusted later. All Wing halves and parts attached and aligned.

    The Canopy is a deep-drawn part and had to be cut out and sanded so that it fit the fuselage. The engines and engine compartment were primed, painted and glued together.

    But oh dear, the left engine nacelle didn't fit at all, it wasn't cast well.
    So I sawed it off again and filled it with 3 mm of filler so that the engine nacelle was in the Right Position. After the main components had been glued together, clear landing Lights had to be made from transparent sprues and glued in place.

    At the customer's request, the model was painted in a Swiss Version, as an A-712. Primed and painted with Revell, Humbrol and Model Master paint. The undercarriage and wheels were done in exactly the same way, then glued in with superglue and finally the Decals were attached, as well as the pitot tube and Antenne using Uschi's Elastik thread. Because the model was tail-heavy, I glued it to the end of the fuselage with a stable pin because the resin part that was included was too weak to keep the model straight.
    So it was worth it, it is more for experienced model builders as you have to work with superglue and caution is advised when cutting or sawing the resin parts.

  4. That's a very nice build of an elegant aircraft, Hans Peter @messerschmitt

  5. Well done - Don't see many Twin Bonanza models.

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