1/48 Italeri Cessna F-172 Skyhawk

Gallery Article by Andreas Gordes, ARC member 'Goggo' on June 6 2017

 

      

Cessna F-172 Skyhawk D-ECJB, Carson Italeri 2764, 1:48

30 years ago, on May 28th 1987, the German registered D-ECJB Cessna F-172 Skyhawk did land near the Red Square in Moscow after penetrating the Soviet airspace non-stop from Helsinki. The particular aircraft was a French built Cessna Skyhawk (no roof windows) and belonged to an aero club in Hamburg where the journey in '87 started. After being released from the Russians the aircraft was purchased by a French who promoted the aircraft itself and flights over other metropolis. It was then sold to Japan, but returned later to Germany and is now on display at the 'Technik Museum' in Berlin.

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Great job from Italeri to release the old Esci kit for this anniversary. Detail is good with a full interior and engine. Do not forget to fill the complete cowling with lead. Surface detail is a little too prominent and when finished the kit looks a little like a die-cast model. There are shape issues around the cockpit/wings and the main landing gear is too flat. But keep in mind that this is a small kit, so issues appear bigger than they are! Even in 1:32 this would be a small kit, but probably the best scale for such an aircraft (Roden, let's go!).

Some detail may be added like the fuel filler caps, antennas, tie downs, static dischargers etc. The decals are of very good quality and since the call sign is printed separate, the gold-black trim can be used for different aircraft. The thick transparent parts had been inserted after the decals, they were dipped into Future and instantly glued with Revell transparent glue. Finally a gloss coat of Alclad II Clear Gloss was applied to the whole model including the windows.

Thank you and have fun!

Andreas Gordes, ARC member 'Goggo'

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Photos and text © by Andreas Gordes