Beechcraft At-7/SNB-2C Navigator
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Kit Review
Having already done the standard C-45F (#48181) and the RAF Expeditor Mk II (#48182) ICM have now offered the Beech 18 in USAAC AT-7 and USN SNB-2 guise.
Inside the box you will find one clear and five grey-coloured plastic sprues. Surface detail is via engraved lines but there are no rivets and the fabric effect is via raised lines. All colour call-outs are via Revell and Tamiya paint ranges, along with names but no ANA etc. codes. Assembly remains exactly the same as the previous two kits, so you build up the fuselage halves first, with access door and glazings, then add in the seats and tables specific to these navigational trainers. The one-piece lower wing takes the bulkhead/undercarriage units and the engines, which are very effective. The ailerons are separate, but the flaps are not. These fit into the one-piece upper wing, which also contains the fuselage floor, onto which goes the crew seats at the front and two seats in the rear section. The tips of the domes on each propeller have to be clipped off, so that they then fit into the spinners necessary for this version. The wheels are single pieces, so no seam line to deal with and once you have added aerial masts fore and aft of the dorsal spine and the DF loop, that is it.
Colour Options
The kit offers four decal options:
• SNB-2C, BuNo.23825, '327' US Navy, 1944
• SNB-2C, BuNo.23790, US Navy, 1945
• AT-7C, S/No.43-33450, USAAF, 1945
• AT-7C, G•13 of the Dutch AF, 1950
All of these options are bare metal overall, don't be taken by the box art, there are no 'blue' options in the box. The decals are excellent, being beautifully printed, with perfect register and colour and they are very glossy. The sheet includes all national markings, the instrument panel dials and propeller manufacturer logos, but no airframe stencils.
Conclusion
All of their Beech 18 derivatives are excellent and this new on is no different. The parts are well moulded, detail is good from the box and even those decals look nice now, so it is highly recommended to all.
Our thanks to ICM for the review sample. UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants, visit here for more details.
Having already done the standard C-45F (#48181) and the RAF Expeditor Mk II (#48182) ICM have now offered the Beech 18 in USAAC AT-7 and USN SNB-2 guise.
Inside the box you will find one clear and five grey-coloured plastic sprues. Surface detail is via engraved lines but there are no rivets and the fabric effect is via raised lines. All colour call-outs are via Revell and Tamiya paint ranges, along with names but no ANA etc. codes. Assembly remains exactly the same as the previous two kits, so you build up the fuselage halves first, with access door and glazings, then add in the seats and tables specific to these navigational trainers. The one-piece lower wing takes the bulkhead/undercarriage units and the engines, which are very effective. The ailerons are separate, but the flaps are not. These fit into the one-piece upper wing, which also contains the fuselage floor, onto which goes the crew seats at the front and two seats in the rear section. The tips of the domes on each propeller have to be clipped off, so that they then fit into the spinners necessary for this version. The wheels are single pieces, so no seam line to deal with and once you have added aerial masts fore and aft of the dorsal spine and the DF loop, that is it.
Colour Options
The kit offers four decal options:
• SNB-2C, BuNo.23825, '327' US Navy, 1944
• SNB-2C, BuNo.23790, US Navy, 1945
• AT-7C, S/No.43-33450, USAAF, 1945
• AT-7C, G•13 of the Dutch AF, 1950
All of these options are bare metal overall, don't be taken by the box art, there are no 'blue' options in the box. The decals are excellent, being beautifully printed, with perfect register and colour and they are very glossy. The sheet includes all national markings, the instrument panel dials and propeller manufacturer logos, but no airframe stencils.
Conclusion
All of their Beech 18 derivatives are excellent and this new on is no different. The parts are well moulded, detail is good from the box and even those decals look nice now, so it is highly recommended to all.
Our thanks to ICM for the review sample. UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants, visit here for more details.
