dcrfan Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 I have long wanted a Cessna 180 and 185 in 1/48th scale. After locating and rescaling a few online drawings I realised that a relatively easy conversion from a Minicraft Cessna 172 was possible. Easy yes but there are a few features to be addressed: - fill in roof top windows - build up new raised top of fuselage behind rear of wing - construct new tail fin - reshape tail cone - fill in nose wheel aperture in engine canopy - construct new front landing gear. I use brass sheet and soldered in brass rod axles - remove C172 front landing mounting points from fuselage - locate or build larger front wheels. I used Minicraft Bonanza main wheel - locate or build larger diameter propeller. I used Minicraft Bonanza prop - construct new tailwheel. I used Airfix 1/48 Spitfire tailwheel - decide on STOL wing tips (fitted on C172) or plain wing tips 35D83C61-5417-40CB-A6CB-851DA58CB1B1_1_201_a DB44E171-46E1-4670-B088-AF5E755850CE_1_201_a 7A42C59C-380C-445F-823B-1A4A5196DE33_1_201_a 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matti64 Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 Very interested in doing this myself. Until recently I hadn't realised that they were so closely related. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcrfan Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share Posted August 9, 2022 (edited) 24 minutes ago, matti64 said: Very interested in doing this myself. Until recently I hadn't realised that they were so closely related. Yeah it took me by surprise as well. I was expecting to have to reposition wing and tail positions and possibly wing and elevator shapes. Cessna appears to save money and design time by using common parts where possible. Edited August 9, 2022 by dcrfan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 Nice conversion to make ordinary work horse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMB Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 Would it have been easier to find an old Monogram 1/48 Cessna 180 kit? I have a couple in my stash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcrfan Posted August 16, 2022 Author Share Posted August 16, 2022 15 hours ago, AMB said: Would it have been easier to find an old Monogram 1/48 Cessna 180 kit? I have a couple in my stash. Unfortunately no because the Monogram 180 is actually 1/41 scale. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/monogram-85-0123-cessna-180--1117724 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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