In Box Review of Croco 1/72nd Scale
QU-22 Pave Eagle
Kit no. CMD 7231
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2022
MSRP: $64.99
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2022
MSRP: $64.99
HISTORY:
The QU-22 was a Beech 36/A36 Bonanza modified during the Vietnam War to be an electronic monitoring signal relay aircraft, developed under the project name "Pave Eagle" for the United States Air Force. An AiResearch turbocharged, reduction-geared Continental GTSIO-520-G engine was used to reduce its noise signature, much like the later Army-Lockheed YO-3A.
These aircraft were intended to be used as unmanned drones to monitor seismic and acoustic sensors dropped along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos and report troop and supply movements. When the project was put into operation in 1968, however, the aircraft were all flown by pilots of the 554th Reconnaissance Squadron Detachment 1, call sign "Vampire".
A separate operation "Compass Flag" monitored the General Directorate of Rear Services along the Ho Chi Minh Trail linking to the 6908th security squadron.
Six YQU-22A prototypes (modifications of the Beech 33 Debonair) were combat-tested in 1968, and two were lost during operations, with a civilian test pilot killed. Twenty-seven QU-22Bs were modified, 13 in 1969 and 14 in 1970, with six lost in combat.
Two Air Force pilots were killed in action.
All of the losses were due to engine failures or effects of turbulence. A large cowl bump above the spinner was faired-in for an AC current generator, and a higher weight set of Baron wings and spars were used to handle the 236-gallon fuel load.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: one
Capacity: five passengers
Length: 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Wingspan: 33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
Height: 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)
Wing area: 181 sq ft (16.8 m2)
Aspect ratio: 6.2
Airfoil: Root:NACA 23016.5. Tip:23012
Empty weight: 2,517 lb (1,142 kg)
Gross weight: 3,650 lb (1,656 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Continental IO-550-B , 300 hp (220 kW)
Propellers: three-bladed Hartzell Propeller, 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) diameter
Cruise speed: 176 kn (203 mph, 326 km/h)
Range: 716 nmi (824 mi, 1,326 km) with full passenger load
Ferry range: 930 nmi (1,070 mi, 1,720 km)
Service ceiling: 18,500 ft (5,600 m)
Rate of climb: 1,230 ft/min (6.2 m/s)
Wing loading: 20.16 lb/sq ft (98.4 kg/m2)
The QU-22 was a Beech 36/A36 Bonanza modified during the Vietnam War to be an electronic monitoring signal relay aircraft, developed under the project name "Pave Eagle" for the United States Air Force. An AiResearch turbocharged, reduction-geared Continental GTSIO-520-G engine was used to reduce its noise signature, much like the later Army-Lockheed YO-3A.
These aircraft were intended to be used as unmanned drones to monitor seismic and acoustic sensors dropped along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos and report troop and supply movements. When the project was put into operation in 1968, however, the aircraft were all flown by pilots of the 554th Reconnaissance Squadron Detachment 1, call sign "Vampire".
A separate operation "Compass Flag" monitored the General Directorate of Rear Services along the Ho Chi Minh Trail linking to the 6908th security squadron.
Six YQU-22A prototypes (modifications of the Beech 33 Debonair) were combat-tested in 1968, and two were lost during operations, with a civilian test pilot killed. Twenty-seven QU-22Bs were modified, 13 in 1969 and 14 in 1970, with six lost in combat.
Two Air Force pilots were killed in action.
All of the losses were due to engine failures or effects of turbulence. A large cowl bump above the spinner was faired-in for an AC current generator, and a higher weight set of Baron wings and spars were used to handle the 236-gallon fuel load.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: one
Capacity: five passengers
Length: 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Wingspan: 33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
Height: 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)
Wing area: 181 sq ft (16.8 m2)
Aspect ratio: 6.2
Airfoil: Root:NACA 23016.5. Tip:23012
Empty weight: 2,517 lb (1,142 kg)
Gross weight: 3,650 lb (1,656 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Continental IO-550-B , 300 hp (220 kW)
Propellers: three-bladed Hartzell Propeller, 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) diameter
Cruise speed: 176 kn (203 mph, 326 km/h)
Range: 716 nmi (824 mi, 1,326 km) with full passenger load
Ferry range: 930 nmi (1,070 mi, 1,720 km)
Service ceiling: 18,500 ft (5,600 m)
Rate of climb: 1,230 ft/min (6.2 m/s)
Wing loading: 20.16 lb/sq ft (98.4 kg/m2)
THE KIT:
Croco Models is located in Riga, Latvia. Their kits are created by Leonid Shilin (author) & Mike Dolgov (master). This kit comes in a generic brown-box,that has a hinged-lid with locking tabs. The box art is on a sheet glued to the lid.
It shows a photo of a USAF QU-22 Pave Eagle sitting on an airfield. It is over-all chalk-white, with a black nose and horizontal black stripe across the top of the rudder. It has USAF stars with bars in the usual 6 positions. One the sides of the rudder there is black USAF over black 01537.
Croco Models is located in Riga, Latvia. Their kits are created by Leonid Shilin (author) & Mike Dolgov (master). This kit comes in a generic brown-box,that has a hinged-lid with locking tabs. The box art is on a sheet glued to the lid.
It shows a photo of a USAF QU-22 Pave Eagle sitting on an airfield. It is over-all chalk-white, with a black nose and horizontal black stripe across the top of the rudder. It has USAF stars with bars in the usual 6 positions. One the sides of the rudder there is black USAF over black 01537.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
Croco does all their models in tan resin with vacuformed clear canopies and decal sheets, packed in this kit in 3 zip-locked type cello bags.
The kit includes a spare canopy, in case you mess one up. Nice touch!
Croco does all their models in tan resin with vacuformed clear canopies and decal sheets, packed in this kit in 3 zip-locked type cello bags.
The kit includes a spare canopy, in case you mess one up. Nice touch!
The instructions is of a single sheet printed on both sides in 6” x 8 ¼” format, folded in half to fit the box.
One side has an exploded line drawing of the fuselage, its interior, rudder, elevators, cockpit cabin details, nose and canopy assemblies.
The cockpit includes the dashboard, floor, foot pedals, joy-sticks and 2 seats. Very nice!
The reverse side has assembly instructions as another exploded line drawing, that shows the landing gear, propeller, exhaust and wing tip fuel tanks.
Detail is both raised and engraved.
One side has an exploded line drawing of the fuselage, its interior, rudder, elevators, cockpit cabin details, nose and canopy assemblies.
The cockpit includes the dashboard, floor, foot pedals, joy-sticks and 2 seats. Very nice!
The reverse side has assembly instructions as another exploded line drawing, that shows the landing gear, propeller, exhaust and wing tip fuel tanks.
Detail is both raised and engraved.
On the decal sheet there are 3 serial numbers that you can choose from to put on the plane's rudder. They are 97694, 01537 and 01535.
This kit looks like it will make up very nicely in the right hands. Some small parts are attached to pour lugs and will need to be carefully removed.
It definitely is not for the novice or beginning modeler and would not be a weekend project. Also, plastic adhesive does not work on resin. So, go out and buy some super-blue and don’t cement your fingers together using it.
I recommend it. Detail is crisp and good., with only a few pour lugs to remove.
I want to thank Leonid Shilin of Croco for this review sample.
He can be reached at his Email address:
It definitely is not for the novice or beginning modeler and would not be a weekend project. Also, plastic adhesive does not work on resin. So, go out and buy some super-blue and don’t cement your fingers together using it.
I recommend it. Detail is crisp and good., with only a few pour lugs to remove.
I want to thank Leonid Shilin of Croco for this review sample.
He can be reached at his Email address:
Sniff23/inbox.Iv
He does not have a web site.
It is listed on the web several times for the same price.
Highly Recommended.
It is listed on the web several times for the same price.
Highly Recommended.