Dutch Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) I came across this kit [Model Aire International (MAI) #015 1/72 Beechcraft Super King Air 200 / UC-12B] and was wondering if it is worth buying. I can't seem to find any reviews online, in fact I can't seem to find much of anything about the company. Is anyone familiar with this company and kit as to quality, type material used (I assume resin & vac, maybe PE?), quality of castings, decals, etc... Any info appreciated. K/r, Dutch Edited March 10, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) I went ahead and placed my order. On another note, I cannot find any alternative markings for a C-12 Huron in 1/72 scale. I would love to make a USMC C-12F at New River. Edited March 10, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 Thanks Andy. I will post pics when it arrives. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) Oh wait! I just found a photo of UC-12B 161499 7Z of NAS South Weymouth. Bingo! That's it. I will modify the kit markings to this scheme using Stoppel Decals #13 American Type, both the slanted and straight letters and numbers. Edited March 10, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 I have two Rareplanes vacuforms, one of which will end up in the already home-printed markings of the NAF Mildenhall UC-12M which the then Commander let me 'borrow' for half-an-hour - I later used one of the photos for the front cover of the SAM issue which I did the 'Aircraft in Detail' feature for... ....whilst a number of the walk-around photos which I took appeared at the end of the feature's main text - the other kit will be finished as one of the Germany-based USAF VIP fleet, for which, again, I've already printed decals: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 Oh! I think I have that SAM issue. Thank you for reminding me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 11, 2023 Author Share Posted March 11, 2023 (edited) My Model Aire International Beechcraft 200 Super King Air kit arrived today. Initial impression is WOW! Very nice kit. This kit is molded in a beige resin with finely scribed panel lines and door outlines. It includes clear resin windscreen and flat clear circles for the cabin windows. It comes with with two double-sided pages of instructions, comprising: history (0.5 pg), instructions (2x 0.5 pg), and painting & decal placement guide (2.5 pg). Two different decal sheets are provided, one with two different Hong Kong based machines printed by Condor Decals (Argentina?) and a US Navy UC-12B Huron probably printed by Microscale, though no company markings are printed on the sheet. Parts are packed in sub groups in separate sealed poly bags. I only opened the main bag and the fuselage bag and left the small parts in their separate bags. The first three photos are of the box top, bottom and end. The main contents and decal close-ups. These decals are thick, much like Modeldecal. The printing is very nice and the badges have a lot of detail. I assume that the HK Goverment Flying Service machine has the sensor packages for border & maritime patrol while the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force machine is a straight Super King Air 200. US Navy UC-12B 161322 of Naval Air Facility, Rota, Spain circa 1981. The large "8D" and "1322" should not be canted, but straight and perhaps a little bit smaller in size to fit the upper wing. Similar block "8D" and "1322" are missing for the lower wing. Edited March 13, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 11, 2023 Author Share Posted March 11, 2023 (edited) Now for the parts. First the one piece wing with integrally molded engine and main u/c wells. Top view Bottom View. While I really like the fine detail and scribed panel lines, the large molding block attachment point on the trailing edge are a bummer and will have to be sanded off very carefully and the panel line rescribed. Also note the two pin holes on the port trailing edge. Top side view. Notice shift in mold creating a jagged line running from fore to aft through the engine nacelle. This is the second major bummer and will be difficult to remove and rescribe. Bottom side view. Again the mold shift line running through the nacelles. Also note the hard mounted HK GFS sensor package offset to port under the center wing. This will have to be removed for the RHKAAF & US Navy UC-12B option. Edited March 12, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 11, 2023 Author Share Posted March 11, 2023 (edited) Now the fuselage halves. Again, there is a sensor package molded to the port underside that overlaps the centerline. The two clear windscreen halves were "snapped" into place in the cockpit. One had fallen out, but I snapped in back into place rather easily. Other than being a little shallow in the frame, they appear rather nice and clear. The nose vents on either side are molded very nicely. Each round window has a small lip to hold the window in place. Also included is one or two bulged windows for the HK GFS maritime patrol version. Edited March 12, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 11, 2023 Author Share Posted March 11, 2023 (edited) Now the other bits. Horizontal tail bag and then the undercarriage bag. Horizontal tail, top view. Horizontal tail, bottom view with cockpit tub with main cabin floor. Undercarriage bag with main/nose legs/wheels, forward wheel well, cabin seats, props (feathered, as they should be on the ground) and possibly a few extras. Edited May 20, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 11, 2023 Author Share Posted March 11, 2023 Instruction booklet. MAI_No015_72_Beech_200_King_Air.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 16 hours ago, Dutch said: US Navy UC-12B 161322 of Naval Air Facility, Rota, Spain circa 1981. The Large "8D" and "1322" should not be canted, but straight and perhaps a little bit smaller in size to fit the upper wing. Not only is the USN scheme for the same aircraft that Rareplanes depicted, but the mis-shapen slanted tailcode characters are exactly replicated too: ....not that it matters, as you're doing a different bird - and at least you've got the gold sections of the stripes provided, rather than having to paint them in! Looks to be a fairly nice kit overall, attachment points, slippage, and un-needed integrally-moulded parts notwithstanding... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 12, 2023 Author Share Posted March 12, 2023 (edited) Andy, Yes, I am still quite pleased with the MAI kit. I am contemplating purchasing the Rareplanes kit as well, but am a little worried about the fidelity of the RP props and undercarriage (vac, I assume) and the scarcity of the AM (Aeroclub) props and undercarriage. Perhaps you could post photos of the Rareplanes kit here for comparison? Kind regards, Dutch Edited May 20, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 There are some decent photos in this build thread over at Britmodeller, Dutch - note that he used the boxed kit issued by Hannants, which came complete with white metal props and undercarriage. The original 'bagged' Rareplanes version didn't include them, hence the Aeroclub set. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235047238-172-rareplane-super-king-air-irish-air-corps-moving-on/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 15, 2023 Author Share Posted March 15, 2023 (edited) @andyf117 Andy, Thanks for that link. Very nice handiwork there. I was thinking and would like to ask your advice. How difficult would it be to cut down the AModel 1/72 C-12J to a standard UC-12 B/D/F/M? I was thinking of using the new AModel C-12J kit No. 72344. Definitely shorten the fuselage, keeping the right number of windows and their placement, possibly shorten the wings also? What about the stabs? Definitely delete the ventral strakes. What say you? Kind regards, Dutch Edited March 16, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 10 hours ago, Dutch said: @andyf117 Andy, Thanks for that link. Very nice handiwork there. I was thinking and would like to ask your advice. How difficult would it be to cut down the AModel 1/72 C-12J to a standard UC-12 B/D/F/M? I was thinking of using the new AModel C-12J kit No. 72344. Definitely shorten the fuselage, keeping the right number of windows and their placement, possibly shorten the wings also? What about the stabs? Definitely delete the ventral strakes. What say you? Kind regards, Dutch TBH, I really wouldn't have any idea, Dutch, it's not anything I've ever looked into - at some points in time I acquired the Rareplanes kits to do a couple of C-12s as seen and photographed during my time at Mildenhall, and though I've since considered other kits of the type as possible 'easier' alternatives, that's as far as it's gone... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 (edited) Andy, fair enough. I think I will settle for the Rareplanes vac or even the AA Models Super King Air 200 as the preferred base kit for another UC-12, as I only have to create the three-blade props. The AModel B-1900C kit would require too much work, new props, etc... What was I thinking? Thank you. Edited March 16, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob de Bie Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 On 3/10/2023 at 1:55 PM, Dutch said: I came across this kit [Model Aire International (MAI) #015 1/72 Beechcraft Super King Air 200 / UC-12B] and was wondering if it is worth buying. I can't seem to find any reviews online, in fact I can't seem to find much of anything about the company. Is anyone familiar with this company and kit as to quality, type material used (I assume resin & vac, maybe PE?), quality of castings, decals, etc... MAI was run by Tom (Thomas) Young. He passed away 2018, see his obituary. He was one of the writers of the book 'Ecyclopaedia of military models 1/72', my oldest book on the subject of kit collecting, and still a very nice book. He also issued a quartely magazine, that listed all new 1/72 models I think, maybe as a continuation of the book. Here's another snippet from my CW-21 page, giving some insight in his business: "MAI (Model Aire International) issued a resin kit (#009) with a vac canopy, possibly without decals, can be built as the CW-21 or the CW-21B. Discontinued in 1998. Tom Young of MAI wrote about it: 'Our (MAI) CW-21 was pretty bad, but you would really have to see what we had to start with! The master was so bad that we refused to pay the second half of the fee unless the guy did it right. Never heard from him again. The engine was far too big to fit in the cowling, trench like panel lines, about 75% had to be done over and we were still unhappy. Customers seemed to like it, but the arrival of the MPM kit was a relief.' " Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted May 20, 2023 Share Posted May 20, 2023 On 3/13/2023 at 6:04 AM, Dutch said: Andy, Yes, I am still quite pleased with the MAI kit. I am contemplating purchasing the Rareplanes kit as well, but am a little worried about the fidelity of the RP props and undercarriage (vac, I assume) and the scarcity of the AM (Aeroclub) props and undercarriage/. Perhaps you could post photos of the Rareplanes kit here for comparison? Kind regards, Dutch Interesting kit Dutch, it was also released in Australia by Hawkeye Models with Hong Kong Police Force markings, I built mine as a early RAAF B200 (after appropriately demodding it to a standard B200) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted May 20, 2023 Author Share Posted May 20, 2023 (edited) Nicely done Ray! Any hints on construction? BTW, can you send to me the Hawkeye Models kit # and a scan of the boxtop please so I can update SCM database? Edited May 20, 2023 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 On 5/20/2023 at 10:59 PM, Dutch said: Nicely done Ray! Any hints on construction? BTW, can you send to me the Hawkeye Models kit # and a scan of the boxtop please so I can update SCM database? Dutch, the kit went together with very little fuss, it is very well engineered. I don't have any of the details as I got a 'white tail' kit. No box illustration and I am not sure if I had any instructions either. I'll talk to Mr Hawkeye and see if he has any details. It was released prior to the current owner taking over the business. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted May 24, 2023 Author Share Posted May 24, 2023 Ray, No worries. I gave it a CS-xx product number for now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 16, 2023 Author Share Posted June 16, 2023 Update: I was not completely satisfied with the shape of the Quickboost 1/72 OV-10 prop hubs that I purchased for the Rareplanes kit, so I kept looking. Chris provided spare B-200 prop blades. (Thank you, Chris.) Plus, I still needed exhausts. I found the IsraCast 72012 IAF Beechcraft King Air 200 "Tzufit" set which provides both props and exhausts, plus a couple of resin antennae and tip tanks (or ECM pods) and PE antennae. So I think that I am now set. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted January 5 Author Share Posted January 5 Update #2: A&A Models (Ukr) have released a UC-12B version of their Beechcraft King Air 200 kit with USN training and USMC markings (#7240). I have placed my order with Hannants and will also preview that kit in a separate thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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