1/48 Cessna 150

I've built 2 of these kits now and there are only 3 ways to keep it sitting on the tricyle gear.

1) Do what I did, drill a small hole in the bottom of the nose wheel to accept a slightly bent paperclip that sticks up 3/8" from the bottom of the diorama base. This essentially hooks the nose wheel on the paperclip holding the nose down like you see in my pics

2) do not install the engine and load up the engine compartment with BBs or small fishing weights.

3) use a piece of clear styrene as a kick stand and wedge it between the bottom of the fuselage near the tail and the ground of your diorama base.

Weird. I was just thinking of finishing up this kit. I started it some time ago for one of my son's school project and we never got around to completing it. 

Guess I'll take this as a sign.

And maybe add more weight to the nose. Lol

I have built this kit as well. It has special meaning to me. My Grandpa soloed me in a Cessna 150. I was 16 years old at the time.

Don;

     Sometimes I do this. I tape the fuselage together with the nose in place. Then I find the C.O.B. Now when that is done I start adding weight and if it cannot be done then this is the next step. I untape the fuse-and start grinding bits of plastic out behind the passenger compartment.

 It might get a little translucent at times, But it takes off the Tail Weight!

Greg

 

 

SteveFL

My apologies. Not sure why they didn't show up. Anyhow, I reposted them from PostImage.org. They appear to be working now. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

So glad you fixed the pics. That's a great 150, and she/it whatever sure looks right at home sitting on the grass of your dio!

 

Just noticed this thread is 3 years old.

Oops.

Tanker-Builder

Hey!

     We gotta stop meeting like this! What I do to overcome the weight problem is stuff shaped Lead sinker material in behind the Instrument panel and down the engine bulkhead inside.That way I can hide it!

     I also stuff that little plastic engine with lead powder after I grind some of the plastic off the inside. The two areas don't seem like much, But it has worked for me so far!

 

On my 172 I crammed the engine full of lead BBs, but it was nowhere near enough.

SteveFL

My apologies. Not sure why they didn't show up. Anyhow, I reposted them from PostImage.org. They appear to be working now. Thanks.

 

So glad you fixed the pics. That's a great 150, and she/it whatever sure looks right at home sitting on the grass of your dio!

Hey!

     We gotta stop meeting like this! What I do to overcome the weight problem is stuff shaped Lead sinker material in behind the Instrument panel and down the engine bulkhead inside.That way I can hide it!

     I also stuff that little plastic engine with lead powder after I grind some of the plastic off the inside. The two areas don't seem like much, But it has worked for me so far!

The thing that bothers me about their newest Cessna kits is they have beautiful engines, but you are given a choice- use that beautiful engine and get a tailsitter, or omit the engine and have room for noseweight.

Actually I guess I will take a third choice, a base with gear glued to the base.  I tried to get enough weight into the 172, but it just balances and any jolt or vibration of display shelf sits it back on tail.  When I do the 150 I guess I will have to go the base route, though I don't usually do bases on my civil planes.

Hi - I know this was an old post but wondering if you could twell me whether there are any aftermarket items for the MiniCraft kit? Thank you in advance.

I said MiniArt in my previous post but of course meant MiniCraft.

No pics for me, either. I saw one of these sporting a tail wheel some years ago. From the front at first glance I was thinking it was a 140, but then I noticed the tail was definitely not right. Someone told me there is a kit to modify it to a tail dragger, really was a cute little bugger.

Patrick

Tanker - Builder

Hey Steve!

 I have found that I cannot get to any of your photos anymore ! It says the site cannot be reached ! . T.B.

 

No pics here either, and I would like to see your 150.

Hey Steve!

 I have found that I cannot get to any of your photos anymore ! It says the site cannot be reached ! . T.B.

Hey ! 

 Now that looks really nice . You  have a problem though . Some thief stole your prop ! LOL.

I wish that Minicraft would start molding those engines in pot metal.  Most of those alloys are pretty dense and would supply the needed nose weight, I believe.  Or else, an insert in lead or other high density metal that would fit inside crankcase. Or, stop making the tail pieces and aft fuselage so thick.  Maybe metal prop and spinner would help too.  I love the detail in their new engine molds, but the restricted volume is indeed a problem on tri-gear birds.

I have two of these kits in my stash, One of them is the C-150 in USAF markings. Your finished airplane looks great. Having the airplane parked on the grass gives it context. Took all of my flight instruction and Private Pilot check ride in an old 150. I might have to put aside the warbirds I'm building and pull one of the kits out to work on.

Nice little build.

My flight instruction was in the older square tail turtleback version.  Lost the best pair of flying sunglasses I ever owned in that bird.

Beautiful.  The engine compartment work is stunning!

I have that kit in my stash, and your post is an incentive to get it on the bench.  I have many hours on the 150s and 152s.

Thats cool!  Actually flew in that little bird once.  After the pilot (19 yr old son of a friend of mine) got it off the ground i got to take the yoke and climb out of palomar airport down here in socal.  When we landed ar Oxnard he flew past the runway, did a descending 180 that was pretty high on the pucker factor, but a really fun experience.  Just for scale,  Im 6' and hit my head on the wing getting into the right side seat and we sat shoulder to shoulder all the way.  

Nice build.