I have been considering the conversion of a C-47 into a B-23 (or a DC-2 into a B-18). Can anyone cast some light on the major differences (aside from the bomb bay and greenhouse nose), such as what appears to be a B-17(?) vertical tail? I’m not sure if this is even a practical idea, but there appears to be a dearth of 1:48 or 1:72 kits (not counting the vac kits which are scarce and not my cup of tea, yet). I am intrigued with the B-18 Bolo and B-23 Dragon and want to do them proper credit. I have been searching the internet for info on both, which is fairly limited…Any wisdom from the many experienced modelers on here will be most appreciated!
I think the B-23 would be a scratchbuilding project. It was not like any other Douglas aircraft in shape. The B-18 had the DC-3 tail and wings (with some modification at the tips, if I remember right), but the fuselage of course was quite a lot larger and more square in cross section. The landing gear looks about the same, that would be some help.
I wish there was a B-23 kit, it is such an elegant design.
Thanks, John! I am still hoping (remotely) to find copies of the structural cross sections of the aircraft; then I could construct the ribs for the fuselage from sheet stock or balsa (same for the wings) and skin it over is sheet styrene. I have had no luck with the engineering drawings so far…[:(]
Not what you asked for, but here are a couple of shots from the Pima Air Museum. I also have a shot of the B-23 at an airshow years ago, but the scanner isn’t up yet.
Wayne, those pictures are outstanding! You must have one helluva nice camera adn know how to use it! They are great reference material and will definitely help! I gotta get back down to Pima Air again one day (was last there in '86)!
RemcoGrob, Thanks for the thread, I’ll p.m. solid to see if he has any further info!
I googled the B-23 'cause I wasn’t familar with it, the landing gear arrangement with the doors and and such looks just like the super DC-3, but I don’t know if there’s any kits of that either.
There are at least 2 vacuform kits of the B-18 available- the execuform seems to be the nicest of the 2.(1/72nd scale)
Unfortunately, there isn’t currently a kit of the b-23 available yet-but perhaps when there is a model kit made of every possible german WW2 aircraft ever made, thought of, conjectured or even doodled in a drunken haze on a cocktail napkin we might get a kit of the reluctant B-23 Dragon…
Check out this link. No pics but WPAFBM has a B-18 Bolo on the floor. I was just there a couple of weeks back. It was in nice condition. Wonderful place to spend the day. Wear compfy shoes. Here are some links to the B-18 Bolo.
Here is another link to the B-23 Dragon that actually has some good pic’s of it. The next time you are out by Dayton Ohio, stop in at the USAF Museum. They have a UC-67 version that they are converting back to the B-23. They also have a B-18 Bolo.
Thanks for the info, Hudskit! They would be a good alternative if I could find some tech drawings showing the bulkheads, interior etc. for detailing. Thanks to everyone for the links, they are great!
I really hope that I can get a chance to visit the USAF Museum, I have made that a major goal to accomplish! I visit their website regualrly, and wish that they had more/better pics of the aircraft. There’s nothing like seeing it in person, though! Your link has some excellent pics, thanks so much for it!
A bit off topic, but I Googled a phrase and was sent here and saw the phrase from Wayne Baker.
“I may get so drunk I’ll have to crawl home, but damn it I’ll crawl like a Marine” I have a T-shirt with that saying with a modified globe and anchor design and have been looking for years for another t-shirt or decal just like it. This t-shirt is about 30 years old and still in good condition(I only wear it on very special occasions), but would like to get another 1 or 2. I was wondering if Wayne or anybody knows if there is something out there.
BTW, I’m an old model builder, haven’t built a model in years(have lots of unbuilt kits left) since I have other activities that take up most of my time now—also I’ve run out of room. I was primarily into Corvettes and motorcycles, but built everything when I was younger. I have years worth of Fine Scale Modeler and Scale Auto magazines that my wife wants me to get rid of. I would hate to throw them in the garbage. I was going to put them on E-Bay but didn’t think anybody could afford the shipping costs. I live in the western suburbs of Chicago if anybody would like to have them you could e-mail me at gdyer56@hotmail.com
Got the scanner working tonight, so I copied this. It is from the Cleveland Air Show, Sept., 1979. The aircraft belonged to the Confederate (Comemerative) Air Force.
