Customised decals/parts for Cessna 152 build

[Hard-Drive]

I recently got back into model making (my Spitfire build thread is already on here!).

I also recently got hold of a 1/48 Cessna 150 kit which I'd like to do in the colours of one of the club aircraft I solo'd in (of all the club 150/152s, it's probably the easiest paint scheme to copy too).

Can anyone point me towards a source/way of getting hold of the G-BKGW decals for the fuselage and wings? I can probably mask and airbrush the stripes, but if there was a way of getting the REIMS-CESSNA decal made, plus the club logo on the fin, that would be great.

Unfortunately the kit is missing the prop/spinner, does anyone print them to order? I suspect a spare 1/72 two bladed prop might be about the right size. And what about wheels, the kit wheels have spats, the real aircraft doesn't. Is there a source of printed wheels, if I gave them the real life measurements and photos?

Thanks

[Eric Mc]

General aviation is a much neglected area when it comes to scale models. As a result, whereas there are multiple suppliers of "after market" parts for Spitfires, Mustangs, Lancasters, 109s etc etc, trying to get the same sort of stuff (such as wheels or props) for a "modern" light aircraft is much, much harder.

Regarding decals, you might have to resort to making your own using some sort of graphics software and blank decal sheet. I've done this a few times but only to make simple black serial numbers.

What kit manufacturer are we talking about here?

[Hard-Drive]

Eric Mc said:

General aviation is a much neglected area when it comes to scale models. As a result, whereas there are multiple suppliers of "after market" parts for Spitfires, Mustangs, Lancasters, 109s etc etc, trying to get the same sort of stuff (such as wheels or props) for a "modern" light aircraft is much, much harder.

Regarding decals, you might have to resort to making your own using some sort of graphics software and blank decal sheet. I've done this a few times but only to make simple black serial numbers.

What kit manufacturer are we talking about here?

Thanks Eric. The kit is a Minicraft 1/48.

I'll take a tape measure with me next time I fly and measure the tyre and prop diameter (people are going to think I'm going a bit OTT on the preflight checks haha!)

Gutted, when I was a lad doing lots of kits I had a big box full of wheels, props, droptanks etc, I bet something would have fitted. There might be a box of old built kits in a loft somewhere where I can pinch some wheels/props from...who knows!

[Eric Mc]

Minicraft do a range of 1/48 light aircraft so there may be some other kits where you might be able to find alternative wheels.

Do you know what other aircraft the C150/152 might share its wheels with?

[Hard-Drive]

Eric Mc said:

Do you know what other aircraft the C150/152 might share its wheels with?

No, I don't Eric. I'll get some close up pics of the wheels and prop/spinner next time I fly and post here and see if there's anything close. TBH they are pretty generic and featureless wheels, so unless I'm fitting something really distinctive like the wheels off an EE Lightning I'm sure there's scope for a range of 1/72 fighter size aircraft wheels to do the job (the 1/48 Cessna is a very similar size to your average 1/72 fighter).

I'm just really keen to have the wheels exposed as most training aircraft don't have spats, and it also opens up some detailing possibilities like brake disc/caliper/pipe, creep marks etc.

[Eric Mc]

I reckon something off a Beech or Piper light plane might work.