Caracal Models CD 48076: C-45 Expeditor pt 1

Caracal Models has produced a long awaited sheet for the new ICM C-45 kit. This sheet contains options for seven options, most of them post war C-45G/J versions. Herein lies the rub. The ICM kit is for the early WWII version and as such has the shorter, rounded upper engine nacelles. In order to properly model the G/J variants, the builder will need to add the extension on the upper engine nacelles either by spending more money on aftermarket parts or with putty and plastic card. Same goes for the inner wing roots which were extended on these later planes. Now I'm betting that ICM will do a post war boxing with the proper bits included as the kit is clearly designed for this, but for now, it is up to the modeler to make the adjustment.

With that in mind, here is what is on the sheet.

UC-45J, a station hack with NAS Miramar in white with lots of fluorescent red from 1961.

Second is an RC-45J with VC-5 at NAS Cubi Point in 1969. This plane was overall white.

Another station hack is a TC-45J with NAS Oakland in the 1960s. This plane is white with a lot of international orange and a 7F tail code.

The fourth option is another station hack, this time with NAS Iwakuni in the 1960. This TC-45J is also white with international orange bits, but not as much as the previous option.

The lone WWII option is a rather bland C-45B with no distinguishing marks, painted OD and neutral grey. Both white and yellow fin serials are provided. You can do this one with the current ICM boxing.

Finally, a C-45G assignes to MATS in 1961. This one is aluminum with a white upper fuselage and yellow fin tips.

The set includes full color painting and markings guide and there are enough common markings included to do at least two aircraft as these are not very stencil intensive.

March 2015