Airmodel B-18 Vac

[Bronzemeister]

I've recently come into possession of an Airmodel B-18 vacuform.  Don't ask how.

 

I find it curious.  I'm not super knowledgeable on the B-18, and the instructions say to use an injection DC-3 kit for the wings.

 

How accurate is this?  It feels like it's a lazy modeler solution, but could be just the ticket!

 

Inquiring minds and all that.

 

Bronzemeister

[Vesa Jussila]

I think B-18 was developed from DC-2 and wing differed from DC-2's in length. So I think DC-3 wing will need a work. People with more knowledge will answer later for sure.

 

I just checked wingspan of DC-3 is 29m, B-18 is 27,28m and DC-2 is 25,91m so all are little different.

Edited September 29, 2022 by Vesa Jussila
Added dimensions

[TheRealMrEd]

DC-2 would be accurate.  That being said, way back in 1973, before we had the internet to find out such details, I built this kit with DC-3 wings and it came out great.  Mostly depends -- do you want dead accurate or would you just like a nice B-18 model in the case?

 

Enjoy the build in either case, as it will certainly look better than the one you had before...

 

Ed

[Steve N]

I think every available DC-3/C-47 kit has the more common twin-row P&W R-1830 engines.  The B-18 used single-row Wright R-1820s.  This made for a shorter, fatter cowl.  The DC-2's wings were also shorter, but you could likely just clip the tips of a DC-3/C-47 and it would look OK. 

[MilneBay]

The DC-2 wing is not just a shorter span the whole section outboard of the join to the centre section is both shorter and has a different chord taper. Look up pics of the DC-2 1/2 a damaged DC-3

 

https://cnac.org/aircraft02.htm

[JWM]

There is really nice model of B-18 by Special Hobby, in box you can find  more than one set of cowlings for different variants, maybe the good solution would be get spare cowlings from another modeler who do not need them.

J-W

[Bronzemeister]

Thanks MilneBay!  That's quite helpful for my decision.  I think I'll just be using the DC-3 wings and not worrying about it.  It's pretty close wingspan anyway, and if I fiddle the cowlings and engines a bit it'll be fine.

[Junchan]

Compared the wings of the B-18 and DC-3 by placing a station diagram of the B-18 and the most reliable DC-3 drawing what I have in the same scale.

https://rara.jp/image_view/3d903c17953f29b80d1988aa4f65586a/1005624792

As you see the center sections, Station 0 to 142, are the same except for the root fillet and the outer wings look the same up to Station 338.75 which is a breaking point of the wing tip.

So you can use the DC-3 wings with the each wing tip shortened by 11.7 mm.

 

Jun in Tokyo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/horaburo/albums

Edited October 7, 2022 by Junchan

[Steve N]

On 10/4/2022 at 12:03 PM, Junchan said:

Compared the wings of the B-18 and DC-3 by placing a station diagram of the B-18 and the most reliable DC-3 drawing what I have in the same scale.

https://cdn.rara.jp/dynamic/4e/c3/03fe1c9ea74ac57adb44266d7b484ec3w999_1005624792.webp

As you see the center sections, Station 0 to 142, are the same except for the root fillet and the outer wings look the same up to Station 338.75 which is a breaking point of the wing tip.

So you can use the DC-3 wings with the each wing tip shortened by 11.7 mm.

 

Jun in Tokyo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/horaburo/albums

 

I get a "403 Forbidden" error when I click that link.

 

SN

[Junchan]

12 hours ago, Steve N said:

 

I get a "403 Forbidden" error when I click that link.

 

SN

Link fixed.

[Jochen Barett]

On 03/10/2022 at 09:13, JWM said:

There is really nice model of B-18 by Special Hobby, in box you can find  more than one set of cowlings for different variants, maybe the good solution would be get spare cowlings from another modeler who do not need them.

J-W

Remembering my failed attempts on vacuform kits, I'd go for that one and sell the Airmodel B-18 vacuform on eBay (or just add it to the stash) - if I wanted a B-18.

 

Now that would feel "like it's a lazy modeler solution" to me. Please forgive me in case I hurt anybody's feelings regarding vacuform kits.

Edited October 7, 2022 by Jochen Barett
stash not stack, sorry, English is my second language and there was a lack of coffee involved

[JWM]

3 hours ago, Jochen Barett said:

Now that would feel "like it's a lazy modeler solution" to me. Please forgive me in case I hurt anybody's feelings regarding vacuform kits.

The vacuform modelling is a bit different type of building models, since usually you have to think about the reinforcement of the structure of model and do scratch build of  a lot of details. Generally I like it, but somehow I did perhaps 15 or 16 of them in last 50 years having in stash next +25 vacuforms... No w I wonder - do I need next +80 years to complete them?

Regards

J-W

[Jochen Barett]

When I was much younger I thought I'd "need" a Ta 154.

 

So I bought this "kit" https://www.oldmodelkits.com/index.php?detail=6254 (you still need to butcher a Ju 88 for propellers and so on)

never quite finished it and "shortly" before reaching the finish line a "short run" kit appeared: https://www.scalemates.com/de/kits/pioneer-2-4001-focke-wulf-ta-154--132148

yes, I bought that one too, it rests happily on the stash since in the meantime a "real plastc model" from a "real" company appeared

https://ipmsdeutschland.de/archiv/FirstLook/Hasegawa/Hasegawa_Tank_Ta154/Has_Tank_Ta154.html

(yes, I bought it, and I think I must have a started Bachem Natter somewhere https://www.oldmodelkits.com/index.php?detail=5266&page=1 )

 

Never mind. Hats off to everybody who can build and finish a vacuformed kit!

[Bronzemeister]

Thanks Jun!  Very helpful!

 

The Vac route seems easier to me, as I've done several in the past and have learned to like the medium.  Rareplane Gotha anyone?  I've seen plenty of short run kits that a comparable vac is the easier route.

 

Plus I'd only get a few bucks the Airmodell kit on the Bay, and the Special Hobby kit would set me back only like 10 times that amount!  I'll take the Charles Atlas therapy for a bit.  It's only a fuselage after all.

 

Bronzemeister