Superscale 720908: Beech UC-45s

To go along with the new Encore 1/72 C-45 kit, Superscale has released a sheet with three additional military markings. This is the first new Superscale 1/72 sheet in a very long time and I'm glad to see it. The decals are flawless as they are printed by Cartograf, who has gained a deserved reputation for quality. The sheet includes all of the insignia you need for all three options plus some additional prop warning stripes for the more modern options.

First up in overall silver is a pre-war aircraft with blue on the forward cowling and the wing tips. It has a medium grey anti-glare panel and the usual quarter sections of the engine cowlings and nacelles painted black. All C-45s on this sheet have that.

Next is a plane that is currently at the US Navy museum at Pensacola and is a UC-45J that was based there up until the 1960s. It is white with large sections of International Orange. It also has black de-icer boots on the wings and horizontal stab.The markings include an additional white background to go over the International Orange.

The other option is a USAF version from McClellan AFB (it may also be a museum/display plane). Its markings are rather generic, as was typical of the time. The profile in the instructions has an arrow with FS36231 pointing to the airframe, but I believe it is as the color reference at the bottom of the instructions suggests in that it is ADC Grey FS 26473. It has a white cabin roof.

In all it is a fine sheet that gives you some options from the kit markings.

PS. The header image is Maxwell AFB in 1955. Photo courtesy of my Uncle Wally who was attending veterinarian's school at the time.

October 2010

Review copy courtesy of  Squadron Products. Get yours today at your local shop.  Thanks for your support.

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