Allright, I really have no choice. I need to do a model of a C-54 my unit flew back in the 50’s and I’m forced to use Heller’s C-118 as a base. The question is how off am I going to be. What are the major differences between the two and what needs to be corrected. I realize the diehard modellers will stick up their collective noses, but honestly are they taht far off from each other???
You’d be better off to backdate the civilian DC-6 kit into a DC-4. There was a conversion article waaay back in FSM…if I remember correctly, the props and nacelles need to be changed, and the fuselage shortened, and the tail shape altered.
If you need reference photos, check out the Berlin Airlift Foundation. Their founder, Tim Chopp, is a very good friend of mine. They fly a fully restored C-54.
http://www.avialantic.com/bahf.html
Jeff Herne
Director, NJAHOF
www.njahof.org
salbando,
Good to hear from you again. How’s the job treating you? Sorry I can’t help you with your problem here. I always thought the C-54 & C-118 were the same plane, with only very minor differences. Oh well. Good luck with the project.
Well, if you can do the model in 1/144, the new Minicraft model is due in stores any day now.
We did have a conversion article, but it was actually for a Northstar, which had Merlin in-line engines. The author obtained some resin engines from a cottage company that is no longer available.
Anyway, to make a long story short, there’s a lot of work to make the Heller C-118 into a C-54. I’ve long been tempted to try the conversion, but I keep getting believable rumors that a company will come out with the C-54 in 1/72 scale. I know that Welsh Models has a new line and they list a 1/72 C-54 coming, and there’s another company which I can’t name that is working on one.
If you really need to do it in 1/72 scale, but don’t have to do it right away, you may not have to wait very long for a kit.
If memory serves, The DC-6 was a stretched version of the DC-4 and it had longer wings. I may be mixed up here. I was also looking at doing the conversion and I don’t know where I laid my notes at. If I can find them I’ll shoot you an e-mail with a copy of them. There was only a page and a half of them.
HMMMMMMMMM.
First off, thanks for all of the replies. I knew you guys would come through for me. Considering what everyone’s said, I think I’ll wait and see what new offerings come out in the next few years (and maybe even do a little praying, but animal sacrifice is waaaaay out!).
Gary,
Yeah, they’ve been working us pretty hard. get back from the Afghanistan and BANG, Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). Somebody up at staff really needs to get a clue. Anyway, I’m considering cross-training into a radio operaor’s slot over at the HC-130 section. It’s a promotion and a different line of work, but I’m not sure if this ole’ dog can learn some new tricks. They’d have to keep me away from the chutes (heh, heh).
You should pick up AirlinerTech VOl. 4 on the DC-6 and DC-7. On page 98, there’s a graphic showing the changes for every major model from the DC-4 through the DC-7C. At a quick glance, you will need to alter the fuselage length and window shape, wing aileron shape, engine nacelle shape, and the size and shape of the vertical and horizontal stabilizers.
Good luck, or possibly just patience, or a healthy dose of both will be needed. In short, you’re trying to make a Martin Sheen out of a Charlie (obviously from the same family, but a world of difference).
Phil
Silverback,
GREAT analogy!! I love that! Who would’ve thought that you could compare the Sheens with modeling?
salbando,
Go for the cross-training!! Sometimes, a change can do you a world of good. I know what you mean about ORI’s - we called them IG’s (Inspector General) in the Corps. Seemed like we had one twice a year, although I know that’s a bit on the exaggerated side. We probably had them about every two years, with smaller unit inspections in between. I think they would’ve worked better doing it Curtis LeMay’s way - just drop in unannounced, and have an instant inspection. That way, you see who’s on the ball and who ain’t. As it stands now, you usually get about six month’s notice to get ready for an inspection. Hell, anybody can pass an inspection with that much lead time. Show me the unit that’s doing the job RIGHT without six months to prepare for it - THAT’S the unit I want defending me. Don’t get lost on the little nit-picky details. Just look at the overall day-to-day performance of the unit. Sit back and watch what they do for a few days. THAT’S an inspection. I hated the dog & pony shows. Sorry. I’ll get off my [soapbox] now. Hope everything works out for you!! Good Luck!!
Converting the Heller DC-6 /C-118 to a DC-4/C-54 would be quite a project. I think I would try to find the old Rareplanes 1/72 DC-4 kit. I’ve seen a few on Ebay but they do bring premium prices.