Curtiss C-46 in 1:400 Scale
Modified: July 2016
In 2013 I was very pleased to see that despite, its no doubt lucrative, foray into the world of modern Airbus twins that Aeroclassics continues to also stay true to its roots and cheered up classic collectors everywhere with a new C-46 mould.
I always think that the C-46 is a widely overlooked type, which I guess isn't a surprise when you shared the stage with the C-47/DC-3, but despite this over 3,000 were built. The type sufferred quite badly from mid-air explosions and poor serviceability during WW2, but a wing vent modification enabling pooled gasoline to drain away seems to have solved the explosion issue at least!
I always think that the C-46 is a widely overlooked type, which I guess isn't a surprise when you shared the stage with the C-47/DC-3, but despite this over 3,000 were built. The type sufferred quite badly from mid-air explosions and poor serviceability during WW2, but a wing vent modification enabling pooled gasoline to drain away seems to have solved the explosion issue at least!
The powerful engines, which helped to make it the largest twin engine aircraft of WW2, were not terribly efficient and meant it was up to 50% more expensive to operate than the DC-3, which killed its chances as a pax aeroplane. However the same engines made it an excellent freight type especially in rough field areas like Alaska and South America.
To allow easier comparison here's the real thing:
To allow easier comparison here's the real thing:
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The first two releases were Pan Am and Chinese Air Force, the former released under the Pan Am Models Co brand. By December 2014 there had been 10 releases on the new mould including one hangar club model (Quebecair). Sadly no more have been released since.
So far Aeroclassics have covered most of the obvious releases like Braniff, Delta, Buffalo and Lufthansa however there is still a selection of what I think would be fairly popular releases to be done including Reeve Aleutian, Seaboard World, Flying Tigers, Capitol Airways, Alaska Airlines and Wien Air Alaska. The mould itself is very nice and an excellent new prop addition to Aeroclassics stable. Here are a few of mine:
So far Aeroclassics have covered most of the obvious releases like Braniff, Delta, Buffalo and Lufthansa however there is still a selection of what I think would be fairly popular releases to be done including Reeve Aleutian, Seaboard World, Flying Tigers, Capitol Airways, Alaska Airlines and Wien Air Alaska. The mould itself is very nice and an excellent new prop addition to Aeroclassics stable. Here are a few of mine:
