Civil Aircraft

Spyderman_uk · 17-05-2008

Hi all!
Can anyone give me an idea on what is available re civil aircraft?

I am looking for kits in 1/72 scale. I would like to build up a small collection of small aircraft, the sort of things you would see on most small airfields, such as Cessnas, Pipers, Beechcraft, etc.
Many years ago the likes of Airfix made these types of planes, but having a quick look around the websites, there seems to be little or no interest in these models.

Cheers
Terry

richellis · 17-05-2008

they are arround, I cant think of any specific ones at the momant but I have seen them There is a thread on britmoddeler on a 1/20 scale one

proplinergeek · 17-05-2008

Hi Terry
I've know theres quite a few in my stash have a Cessna 337,Pitts Special,Beech Staggerwing,Piper Arrow, Auster AOP 6 which will make up as a J5 with a bit of work Evil Bay has thrown up Aztec's but they usually make about 25 quid too rich 4 me you also consider Airfix Tiger Moth A model do an Aero 145 thats what comes to mind straight off but there are quite a few Spam Cans 172, Bonanza etc croping up fairly regularly Hope this is of some help Rich K (aka Geeky)

**wonwinglo** · 19-05-2008

I think it was Fujimi who did some excellent modern civil aircraft kits,you need to keep your eyes open for such subjects.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 21-05-2008

Howdy Terry,

Yes, they are around, I am sitting here looking at a dehavilland chipmunk, a couple of piper cherokee arrows (both by airfix in 1:72) as well as a few academy kits of the piper super cub, a couple of revell piper tripacers, a few Arii cessna 170, some cessna 150's and even some modelcraft and minicraft cessnas ( I decided a while back to get me a collection of civil aircraft also).
Now lets not forget civil helicopters too, there are lots of them out there (I just cant see the ones i have buried under my stacks of models at this moment lol).
Now one type aircraft I searched Hi and low for was the twin engines cessna and I finally found several versions like seen below:

The above models are resin kits with vacuform canopies but are beautiful when completed as you can see. If you would like you can order them from this link: Gremlin Models - 1/72nd scale Cessna light aircraft & Ikarus fighters.

And if you know the name and type aircraft you are looking for, this link: Aeroclub Models - Product Browser will interest you too....no photos, but there are plenty of civilian aircraft models to be ordered there.

Have a good day,

Greg

Spyderman_uk · 21-05-2008

Thanks for the tips so far Guys, keep them coming.

The biggest problem I have is that I am out of touch with modern civil aircraft. I do not know what are the most popular types or what to look for. The only names of small aircraft I know of are Cessna, Piper and Beechcraft, and these I remember from my younger days when I used to go plane spotting.

The display I am hoping for is of a small grass field type airfield that would be populated mainly with single engine light aircraft and microlights.

I have thought about including helicopters, but am unsure at the moment whether I will include any. It won't be a big display. I suppose if I have some choppers I can always modify the display to suit different arenas. Always better to have too many than too few!

Police and Air Ambulance collection would be nice! No, Stop, mustn't go that way or I'll never stop!

Greg those models look fantastic!
I just love twin engine aircraft, possibly because they look more aesthetically balanced.

Some useful suggestions there as well. The Cherokee and Pacers look favourable together with the Super Cub and Cessnas. I should imagine that tail draggers might be more practical from a rough field.

Any ideas on Microlight aircraft?

I have some specifics now to search for now.

Terry

Spyderman_uk · 13-06-2008

I have made some progress with my model collection.
A little bit of cheating I am afraid as I couldn't get what I wanted exactly.
I bought a couple of Cessna Bird Dogs and will paint them plain white overall, maybe with a bit of colour to differentiate between them. I managed to get a Piper Cherokee Arrow. Thanks Ebay!
Together with these I have a Britten Norman Islander which will again be painted white, as most civil aircraft seem to be, and will be as a semi charter/light delivery aircraft.
I have also purchased a Westland Gazelle helicopter which I also propose to paint in civil colours. Would this copter be available for civil use or is it pure military? Also would it be too out of place on a small grass airfield amongst the other aircraft? Suggestions for a suitable colour scheme welcome!

As an aside I have noticed that Airfix kits are no longer the same quality that they used to be, with lots of injection surplus on flat areas that are supposed to mate flush with other parts, for example the wing sections. This is extremely difficult to remove especially when it is in a recessed area. On a couple of kits I have noticed that the sprue is cleaner than the components attached to them.
Is it just my rose tinted glasses or have I been spoilt by Tamiya kits?

Terry

ps. Anybody got an old drop tank that I could scrounge to use as the cockpit of a microlight? A little bit "Barns Wallace" autogyro style I think!

Afraid I haven't built up much of a spares box yet.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 16-06-2008

Howdy Terry,

Glad to hear you are coming along with your collection. I have been working alot of hours here lately and havent been on as much as i would like (I just finished working 50 hours in three days).
As for the gazelle, it would be fine in a civillian airfield, there are several in use as corporate helicopters, police helicopters etc.
If you want a strictly civillian version I would suggest painting it a single color (gloss) with possibly some striping or corporate logo.
As for the quality of airfix, I cant really comment on that right now cause i havent purchased a "new" airfix model in sometime. But i would suggest that you get you an inexpensive rotary tool for modelling, they are "priceless" when you run into alot of "flash" or excess plastic around parts.

Have a good day and I look forward to photos of you work.

Greg

proplinergeek · 17-06-2008

Terry
Colour schemes try Welcome to Air-Britain you can serch their photo database by several criteria ie type ,regn ,operator and more there are some great examples of light aircraft in loads of colours other than white to choose from. I always look at them with the question how can I mask out for that scheme when stuck by a 'flash' looking aircraft .Dont be afraid to confess to being a spotter thats where some of my efforts came from Chipmunk's G-ARWB & G-AOTV are both freinds from my youth while I 'paid' for flights in Rapide G-AHJA by washing oil from her cowlings which the Dripsy Queen donkeys spat out. Photo in gallery Cheers Rich K

**wonwinglo** · 18-06-2008

You could paint the civil Gazelle's in many colours,for example there are blue/silver examples,metallic green and even the former RAF machines sold on the civil market still retain their original red/white finish complete with roundals.
There are numerous photographs on the GINFO database, which lists all aircraft currently and past on the British civil aircraft register.