Words and pictures by Nicolas Protonotarios

Loire 46

The Loire 46 was an improved version of the Loire 43 and 45. Although improved, it retaining the gull mono-wing configuration, open cockpit, and fixed landing gear. The first of five prototype Loire 46s flew in September 1934. It demonstrated excellent handling characteristics and 60 production aircraft were ordered by the Armée de l’Air. In September 1936, the five prototype Loire 46s were sent to the Republican forces to fight in the Spanish Civil War. Although they were quite modern for their era, the gull wing configuration was never a great success. Their main advantage lay in their excellent rate of climb, but their complex landing gear and tricky landing characteristics made them accident prone.

The kit is a very early resin one from Replica. The fuselage and wings presented little problem, but, as with most Replicas, it was very heavy. The landing struts provided were realistically thin, flexible and…accident-prone, just like the real thing. I had to scratch-build the entire structure using metal Strutz sections and soft steel pins and I also had to add all the little details. The engine is from an injection kit (I forget which) as is the modified prop. The result is not too bad.

The realistic metal finish (if you agree) came from a spray can for wheel hubs but I have lost the brand. The ‘Hinomarus’ are quite plausible since they were reported at the time to be “Armee de l’Air roundels roughly painted over in red” to avoid political complications in France. Overall, a most satisfying project and I believe one of my nicest additions.