It’s getting to be that time where I start on a journey to complete of scale “replica” of Whiskey 7. There were talks of a group build in a different thread about that particular aircraft, so I thought I would bring it up and see if there is anyone else who would like to join in building a C-47 Skytrain/Dakota.
Figure the group build could run from we’ll say December 1st, 2018 to June 6th, 2019. The 75th anniversary of D-Day seems fitting for the finish date. So it will run roughly 6 months.
This is my first time attempting to run a group build, so bear with me! Any scale you choose will be fine. Let me know if your interested, and if we have enough I’ll start a thread in the GB section!
This is also posted in the group build section. Decided to post in both sections so hopefully everyone will see it!
Keyda81> I remember the talk of doing a C-47 GB, and thought it was a good idea. I think I would like to join, but may have to put off making a decision until December 1st.
I’m also running my first GB and it’s kinda scary. Enlist the help of a “seasoned” GB veteran to help out (just in case you have to bow out for a time). Modelcrazy was kind enough to agree to help me, and it will help ease your worry about keeping up with things.
GAF, Take your time deciding! I’m on the forum pretty much daily, so I’ll be around, and I’ve got some pointers already.
I’ll let this hang out for a while, make sure everyone has a chance to see it, I’ll make sure the actual build thread is posted in the GB section by the 1st of Nov, if not sooner.
Thanks, Keyda! I’m certainly in for building one. I have to disagree with Gmorrison though. Keep the category open so that even civilian DC-3s are suitable. I would like to see some DC-3 airliners submitted. And I want to do a CBI bird, one that flew over the “hump”.
Keyda , That plane is so old I don’t think I’ll even find the parts . My local FBO has an engine and a landing gear in the shop . Oh ! You mean a model don’t you ?
I don’t have the budget to acquire one , but I shall observe and comment if you don’t mind . Okay ? It looks like maybe I can acquire one , But we shall see . T.B.
If you wanted to, you could also include variants such as some of the Soviet copies, with either bulged windows, a dorsal turret, or a glassed nose, etc, to help show all the different roles the plane was converted to.
GAF, that’s a great idea. So we’ll go with DC-3’s as well, and as PFJN suggested ones that were converted for different roles will be allowed as well. R4-D’s or C-117’s would be other variants that could work too. So anything in the family of a C-47 is fine by me!
T.B. You are more than welcome to observe and comment!
PFJN, Opened up to anything in the family of C-47/DC-3! Thank you for the suggestion! Would you be joining us in the GB?
I second the suggestion to include all C-47/DC-3 versions. The plane is a classic and has been around for so long and flown with so many operators that it would be a shame to miss out on the diversity. The Gooney Bird is so ubiquitous among modelers that even I have one in the stash! And it’s a bog standard Italeri D-Day C-47, not some wacky one-off.
i remember watching a working class DC-3 follow a 747 taking off at HNL airport in the early 1980s, and the C-47 was louder! What a contrast between old and new.
I flew in a DC-3 from Honolulu to Hilo, back in 1959. I was a little kid but remember it well.
Dad was about 7 years seniority at United Airlines. Besides the three of us, the other passengers were a chain gang returning to the Big Island from doing road work on Oahu, and some guards.
Dad made friends with them and later we went up to the prison to the industry store, which made Koa wood salad bowls.
I’ve got my subject picked out, yes an airliner. I’ll probably have to make my own decals, no joy in the search so far.
After looking over eBay and Wikipedia for a bit, I see that there is a company that rebuilds old DC-3s and upgrades them with turboprop engines, called the Basler BT-67. And I also see the Airfix Magazine did a recent article on converting their DC-3 model to one of these variants. If its OK with you I might look into trying to do a build like that. [:P]
Real G, It will be open to all versions of C-47/DC-3. They are pretty loud, even inside. All I could hear on my flight was the hum of the engines. I took a small video and when I play I turn the volume up all the way!
GMorrison, I have to say it was a one of a kind experience taking a flight in Whiskey 7! I’m hoping I can do it again some day. I had no idea what to expect, and a few things spooked me a bit. So I was scared, excited, and in complete awe the entire flight! I would like to do it again since I would know what to expect, and maybe take my daughter with me too.
PFJN, That’s entirely fine by me! I think it’s great that someone is taking the time to keep the old birds in the air!
