Cessna 182 recommendations?

Has anyone built or know of a decent kit to build a Cessna 182? I’ve been spending more time doing 1/1 (vs. my typical 1/72 and 1/48) lately and would like to build a Cessna. Indifferent to the scale, but specifically looking for a 182, not the ubiquitous 172!

Unfortunately there does not seem to be much in way of 182 kits. Cessna 182, Omega Models 72369 seems to be about the only option in just about any scale.

If you want to try something new, Guillows makes a 172 Cessna flying model kit for rubber band power. Built one years ago when I was flying rc. Converted it to electric. 36" wingspan.

The only 1/48 Cessna kits that I recall were made by MiniCraft but were not 182’s.

Thanks, all. Well, drat. I may consider ordering from Omega…looks like they exist with a web presence, but not sure how “real” it is.

Part of me wants to carve molds and get into vacuum forming one, but that is not a commitment I want to get into just yet!

:rofl:

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I’ve built a couple of those. They should come with band-aids.

@gomeral I’m with you. I wish there were a bunch more general aviation aircraft kits out there; a really detailed modern DHC Beaver kit would be very welcome! So many cool color schemes too.

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Agreed. However, they’ll only produce what sells. There are so many kits I’d like to have, but have been retired or just not made. Because they’re not selling. Now, if the Cessna 182 was a Gundam model…

Darnnit now I want to see a Cessna themed Gundam

Scratch Build Time!!! Or would that be a kit bash?

Isn’t the 182 essentially a 172 with a more powerful motor? What would be the difference (if any) externally? Either close up cowling or add 2 more cylinders to the motor. Just a thought.

I’d like to see it float :joy:

A common thought, but not exactly. When Cessna built the 150/152, those were cheap trainers and potentially “commuters” to some (marketers). The 172 came along as a more advanced trainer and for “entry level” trips with family/etc. The 182 came along specifically as a “cruiser” designed to take the family on vacation. It’s roomier - wider and a bit longer in the cabin - and has 50 extra HP to pull its extra 500lb through the sky. They closed up a lot of the gaps at control surfaces, and it cruises at a faster speed than the 172. If you look at the profile, the windscreen is at a bit “flatter” angle because of the larger engine, and the whole thing looks slightly chonkier.

It’s not much different, but it’s noticeable if you know what to look for. :slight_smile:

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And bifocals and magnifying glasses!

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The 182 was a tricycle gear version of the 180 which was introduced in 1953, the 182 was in 1956 or late 1955. As time went on the 182 grew a swept tail, then a wider cabin and back window among many other minor variations. The 172 was partly based on the 180 fuselage but it was different in many ways from the first 180. The 150 grew from the 140, the last 140 had the same wing as the first 150.

Here are some Cessna factory 3 views of the 172, 180, and 182.

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I was wondering when you were going to chime in here John.

:face_with_hand_over_mouth:

Yeah, the nerd took over again!

Minicraft offers nice 1:48 172. Only bad thing was, it had a beautiful engine, but installing the engine used all the space for nose weight, and you have to display with a tail strut.

Minicraft offers an extensive line of SE light planes.

I’ve seen those online, and have been looking at picking one up, but they aren’t super easy to find and the price…it seems high for what you get. Some of the build articles I’ve seen show tough joins, thick plastic, etc.

I’ve got an Eidai kit that I picked up a while ago for something like $1, but it’s as old as I am, with some of the same complaints (thick parts, deeper lines, kinda aged looking).

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Well, I broke down and got a C172 kit from Minicraft. Found one at a decent price and figured the stash was lonely without a 1/48 172 (the Eidai is a 1/72 scale kit). Not sure when I’ll get to it, but I may just put it on top of the “to do” stack and tackle it after this Ki-61.