Cessna 182

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Does anyone know if there is, or has been a Cessna 182 produced in 1/48 scale? I have the C-152 and the C-172 in 1/48 scale. I am looking to complete the three of these aircraft.

2

Greetings Colibrumx5,

I’m afraid you’re out of luck with this one.

Although there are a few civil aviation kits available, they are of marginal quality and accuracy, and forget about finding any resin or PE update sets to correct them!! Model manufacturers have opted instead to cater but to one market, military, because “They sell better”. Of course they do, when that’s all that’s on the shelves, that’s all that sells.

There’s a LOT of people in this world who have a Civilian Pilot License in their pocket, and a LOT more who would just love to build, or own a decent representation of a Beech King Air, or Baron, or Sundowner… or a Cessna 152, 182, 210, or 310… or how about a Grumman American… the list goes on and on and on! Civil Aviation is one market that has been basically ignored in the modeling industry, and that’s too bad.

Oh well, there’s my two cents worth on the subject…

Take care,
Frank

3

Too bad that there is no kit of the 182. I wish that there were an affordable Beech model 18, Cessna 140, Cessna 195, and a Cessna 180 in 1/48th scale. Those would be great in that scale.

4

Minicraft put out a Cessna 150, a V-tail bonanza, a piper Cherokee, and I believe a 172 in 1/48. I believe www.squadron.com offers some of these…or www.greatmodels.com

Personally I started on the V-tail, and was disapointed with the quality of just about every piece of the model. It can look good, but it will take you a lot of work to bring them up to a good standard.

There are a few 1/72 421’s, and King-Air’s in resin and such but they can be a bit pricey.

5

I’m with oldhooker. I do not understand why the model industry ignors the lite civilian airplane catagory. From the 1920’s to modern day Pipers, there has been hundreds of cool aircraft designed. Maybe a letter writing campaign is in order to the various model companies. Aviation history has been made by other than military type aircraft.

T.Young [8-]

6

There has been a VERY limited offering of General Aviation type civilian planes and this is indeed unfortunate. I remember “several” years ago building a Piper Tri-Pacer that was about 1/48 scale. It had a “hunter/pilot” figure standing over a dead Cougar. I vaguely recall 2 or 3 others. The ol’ memory is getting awfully fuzzy.

Darwin, O.F. [alien]

7

I agree whole heartedly!

I’d love to see those planes in any scale, but 1/72 would be my first choice. Roden, for one is making fantastically detailed WWI planes in 1/72. I could see them applying the same techniques to general aviation planes. The results would be fantastic!

Then, when they inevitably scale up to 1/48 (like they have with their Fokker and Bristol kits), everyone would be happy. [:)]

Regards,

Regards,

8

Gonna have to jump on the bandwagon here. There must be 25 different P-51’s or F-16’s out there but many civil light aircraft or twins go unrepresented. I voiced my frustration over this on the Helo Forum saying that there’s 15 different AH-64’s but not a single HH-3E/F Jolly Green out there.
Luckily modelcraft produced a C-172 XP on floats, and Minicraft made a V-tail A-35 Bonanza, a PA-28, a PA-18 and a C-150. I found several Monogram C-180’s (floats and wheels) on E-bay and still have the Piper Tri-Pacer that they put out left over from when I was a kid. And believe it or not I still have the hunter standing next to the dead cougar. Now all these kits need some help but at least they were put out there and those manufacturers are to be commended.
I never will understand the model marketing system. Dragon finally wised up and reissued there AH-6J Killer Egg, after so many on this and other forums were begging for them. Coincidence??? Who knows.

9

I’d like to know where you found the 152 and 172 in 1:48 myself!

My first ride was an old 152. 4813B…sadly, no longer with us as another student dug her into the runway doing touch and goes, and she was retired (he was ok too, just busted the plane beyond repair). sigh Miss the old girl, ugly as she was!

10

Well, if you are into aerobatic airplanes AND you have a lot of dough, check out http://www.airshowmodels.com/
They have some great 1/32 resin kits of the Christen Eagle and Pitts S2B and C. I’ve built numerous Eagle kits and they are nice.

Sounds like a cottage industry opportunity for limited run models of spam cans!

11

Hi uilleann,

They don’t make a Cessna 152, it’s an old style 150…

Hobbycraft offers a Cessna 172 in 1/48, with the option for floats or wheels… I’ve built this model, and it requires some MAJOR modifications to the upper cabin (where the wing attaches) and windows (windshield, aft side windows, and rear windows) to make it accurate.

There’s an announcement that Minicraft is going to release a 1/48 172 in October… we’ll see.
1/48 Cessna 172 Fixed Gear [MMI11635]
by MINICRAFT MODELS in Plastic Models, Airplane, 1/48
Not Yet Available
Due Early October
Price: $17.00

I learned to fly in a 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champion, and logged time in a J-3 and Ercoupe in my senior year of High School. Joined the Army and learned to fly Helicopters, Hughes TH-55, Bell TH-13, Bell UH-1B/H/D, and Boeing CH-47A/B/C of which 14 months were in combat conditions… and NONE of them humbles me quite like the site of the old classic “Champ”! [:)]

Maybe a General Aviation line…
“Classic Wings” series, 1920 - 1950
“Weekend Wings” series, 1950 - 2005
“Sport Wings” series, 1950 - 2005
“Experimental Wings” series, 1960 - 2005
Along with aftermarket Resin, PE, and Decal sets for each series!

Hobby Shops wouldn’t be able to keep them in stock, they’d sell so well!

Oh well, it doesn’t hurt to dream… [^]

Take care,
Frank

12

Somebody makes a 1/48 beaver on floats, but I can’t remember who it is right now, sitting in my stash waiting its turn… The fuselage halves are actually molded clear so all you have to do is mask the windows off. I can’t bring myself to start it though!

13

Yeah, the lack of civie aircraft out there is a crying shame.

I’ve got the Modelcraft 1/48 C-172 and built her as a land plane version, nothing was easy about building her and the rear cabin window just doesn’t look right in contour compared to C-172s that Ive seen.

My LHS has AMT’s old 1/48 Beech 17 on consignment, but she’s missing some key parts, so I made the difficult decision of declining to buy her.

Fred: That 1/48 Beaver on floats most certainly would be the Hobbycraft kit. If memory serves correctly, they also did a 1/48 single Otter.

I’d love it if someone would put out a 1/48 Twin Otter

14

Okay, since we’re all agreed that these kits need to be made, what features should they have? Besides great detail, good fit, and high quality parts, that is.

I’d like a detailed engine and the option of displaying it with the cowl off, or only partially on.

I’d like a good interior and instrument panel.

I’d like clear, thin cockpit glass.

I’d like to be able to drop the flaps.

And I’d like passenger and pilot figures.

Regards,

15

My favorite C-152 N4897P. It climbed great in density altitude without my 200-pound instructor. Unfortunately it was involved in an accident http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001208X06366&key=1
Due to medical issues I can not fly as pilot in command. I still fly with Civil Air Patrol as an Observer.

The C-150 and C-152 are the same airframe with different powerplants. The C-150 has a Continental O-200A, while the C-152 has a Lycoming O-235.

16

True, but on the kit, the front of the cowl (where the spinner & cowl mesh, see pic) is akin to the early 60’s design.

Take care,
Frank

17

Amen on that on brother!! The glass on the Bonanza is so thick, you can’t even see into the cabin. I would also like the correct engine mounts, and some of the bigger twin engines would be nice also.

18

Roger that on the cockpit glass!

When I built the Hobbycraft Skyhawk, I thermoformed new glass using the kit piece as a mold… turned out pretty good too. [;)]

Some of you have already seen this, but for those who haven’t, I done this one after N969OH, the airplane I was giving rides in the day I met my wife, 22.6 years ago; I configured the occupants to look like us on that day. [:)]

I also cut the flaps out and positioned them 30 degrees down…

…and mounted it as if she was at the point of touchdown, speed blurring the numbers and prop.

Take care,
Frank

19

Frank,

Thanks for posting those photos again! I remember when you posted them the first time.

It’s cool that your romance got off to a flying start. [;)]

Were the dropped flaps part of the kit, or did you build those yourself?

Regards,

20

Thanks Drew… with the subject coming up about the thinner clear windscreens, I thought I’d show the way I done that one.

I cut the flaps and elevators out.

Take care, [:)]
Frank