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1/48 Cessna 150

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  • Member since
    December 2014
1/48 Cessna 150
Posted by SteveFL on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 11:53 AM

This is the newer Minicraft release of the ole Cessna 150.  I'm most certain that these are from the same molds that Bandai originally created back in the early 70s.  I also have an original Bandai boxing from Japan and the sprue and parts match identically.  Only difference is that Minicraft made a super sweet decal set with this more modern livery and a complete set of registration numbers so you can customize any N-number you wish.  For the most part it was a fun build.  I added seatbelts, vented the pilot's window, dropped the elevators, and fully wired and plumbed the engine.  I made the cowling cover removable.  Please note that if you choose to showcase the engine, there won't be any room for nose weight.  She's a tail sitter.  I got around this by anchoring the nose wheel to the diorama base with a bent piece of stiff wire. I recommend this kit.  Please enjoy the pics.

Tags: cessna , civil
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 11:09 PM

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. 

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, March 29, 2018 8:55 AM

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.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Thursday, March 29, 2018 1:24 PM

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.

  • Member since
    June 2017
  • From: Winter Park, FL
Posted by fotofrank on Thursday, March 29, 2018 7:10 PM

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.

OK. In the stash: Way too much to build in one lifetime...

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, March 30, 2018 9:05 AM

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.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Friday, March 30, 2018 3:49 PM

Hey ! 

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

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Friday, May 25, 2018 9:02 AM

Hey Steve!

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

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Friday, May 25, 2018 9:18 AM

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.

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by patrick206 on Friday, May 25, 2018 5:13 PM

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

  • Member since
    December 2014
Posted by SteveFL on Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:08 AM
My apologies. Not sure why they didn't show up. Anyhow, I reposted them from PostImage.org. They appear to be working now. Thanks.
  • Member since
    October 2018
Posted by Gregsed56 on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 4:15 PM

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.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, March 27, 2021 9:07 AM

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.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Saturday, March 27, 2021 9:21 AM

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!

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Saturday, March 27, 2021 10:47 AM

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!

YesYes

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, March 28, 2021 6:32 AM

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.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, March 28, 2021 9:32 AM

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!

YesYes

 

Just noticed this thread is 3 years old.

Oops. Embarrassed

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Sunday, March 28, 2021 12:58 PM

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!

  • Member since
    December 2016
Posted by Blackpowder1956 on Sunday, March 28, 2021 9:18 PM

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.

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Thursday, October 28, 2021 3:41 AM

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

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    December 2014
Posted by SteveFL on Friday, October 29, 2021 1:48 PM

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.

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