Beechcraft C18S 'Magic by Moonlight'
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Kit Review
Having already done the C-45F (#48181), RAF Expeditor Mk II (#48182), AT-7/SNB-2 and C18S, ICM has now done this special version depicting a preserved example.
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 in the instructions are via Revell and Tamiya paint ranges, along with generic names but no FS or other codes. Assembly remains almost exactly the same as the previous kits, there are just a few pieces less in this civil version. Construction starts with the fuselage halves first along with the access door and glazings, then the cabin and crew seats, which will later be added to the inside of the lower wing half before it is mated with the completed fuselage. 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, and these fit into the one-piece upper wing, which also contains the fuselage floor. The tips of the domes on each propeller have to be clipped off, as do the backs of the spinners, so that they represent the version necessary for this civil version. The wheels are single pieces, so no seam line to deal with and once you have added the tailwheel and undercarriage doors, that is it.
Colour Options
The kit offers just one decal option:
• N9109R, which is privately owned and operated in the USA
The decal sheet is tiny and just includes the registration, four propeller makers badges, the tiny nose art and the crew names, that is it, no national insignia etc., as N9109R does not carry any.
The only real problem with this kit that we can see though is the colour scheme. Now although it is just red and black the demarcation on the wings and tail are complex scallops and there are no masks in the kit to deal with this. Hopefully an aftermarket firm will come up with a die-cut set before too long, otherwise getting consistency in the scallops will be a problem for the majority of modellers.
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, only masking that scheme raise this one into the 'only for experienced' modellers cataegory.
Our thanks to ICM for the review sample. UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants, visit here - https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM48186 for more details.
Having already done the C-45F (#48181), RAF Expeditor Mk II (#48182), AT-7/SNB-2 and C18S, ICM has now done this special version depicting a preserved example.
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 in the instructions are via Revell and Tamiya paint ranges, along with generic names but no FS or other codes. Assembly remains almost exactly the same as the previous kits, there are just a few pieces less in this civil version. Construction starts with the fuselage halves first along with the access door and glazings, then the cabin and crew seats, which will later be added to the inside of the lower wing half before it is mated with the completed fuselage. 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, and these fit into the one-piece upper wing, which also contains the fuselage floor. The tips of the domes on each propeller have to be clipped off, as do the backs of the spinners, so that they represent the version necessary for this civil version. The wheels are single pieces, so no seam line to deal with and once you have added the tailwheel and undercarriage doors, that is it.
Colour Options
The kit offers just one decal option:
• N9109R, which is privately owned and operated in the USA
The decal sheet is tiny and just includes the registration, four propeller makers badges, the tiny nose art and the crew names, that is it, no national insignia etc., as N9109R does not carry any.
The only real problem with this kit that we can see though is the colour scheme. Now although it is just red and black the demarcation on the wings and tail are complex scallops and there are no masks in the kit to deal with this. Hopefully an aftermarket firm will come up with a die-cut set before too long, otherwise getting consistency in the scallops will be a problem for the majority of modellers.
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, only masking that scheme raise this one into the 'only for experienced' modellers cataegory.
Our thanks to ICM for the review sample. UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants, visit here - https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM48186 for more details.
