The Basic design for the Curtiss CW-20 Airliner began in 1936. I later became the C-46. “Commandos” flew on all fronts in World War II, but they attained their fame flying material and supplies from India over the Himalayan Mountains or “Hump” into China. They also towed gliders on raids behind enemy lines. In Europe, first use was late in the war when C-46s dropped paratroops during the crossing of the Rhine River in 1945.
Finally, I have started this 1:90 scale Solid Wood model which I have been wanting to make for a long time. As you can see I am using “Mohagany” wood all the way since its easy to cut, has a close grain files and sands beautifully. Not many guys build these type of models anymore but once you start you really get the hang of it and soon have a large collection of them like me!!![:)]
Looks like a solid start Solid [:)]. Your’e correct, there aren’t many pure scratch builders around, at least on this Forum. With so many really excellent kits available, you can understand why. But I admire your work, so keep us posted on progress.
The closest that I’ll ever get to that kind of work was when I used to build the old Strombecker wooden models when I was a kid. What kind of paint scheme are you going to put it in? I’m going to build the Williams kit and put it in the markings of a CIA aircraft that we had make an emergency landing at our base.
Hi Guys…Glad you like the “old Solid model” of the C-46. I have been making models for something like 51 years and I really like to fool with wood. I also like to do not too “common” aircraft. I think the C-46 should by now have 3 or 4 plastic models on the market, like the DC-3 or C-47.
Solids are not "that hard"and its very satisfactorily to finish one that made you sweat and have a nightmare or two!!!..its really a lot of fun,…[^] besides you can build “any” model you desire, don’t have to wait for someone to make a “kit”, cheap also!!!..
I will be painting this C-46 with the 1950 AIR ITALIA colors, metal fuselage bottom, white top with green lines and Red color letters and a big Italian flag on the tail ( this one is flying with me to Rome next year for a friend [8D])…but I like it so much and there are so many possibilities I think I will make another with neat colors. [:D], many of these were used by little known airlines in South America, I have many good photos as reference. I believe your models should also have a good story…I like one of a C-46 that took off from a lonely jungle airstrip in Bolivia and was never seen again…
But, scratchbuilding gives you a wide field to work, not all my models are “solids” these two are built up models: Balsa and Mahogany.
This one is a 1/48 scale IMAM RO-1, a 1935 observation plane used in Ethiopia.
This one a 1:60 Caproni 111, also from my Ethiopian Campaign collection
The Italians painted bright red stripes on the upper wings so the airplanes could easily be spotted in case of a crash or emergency landing in the vast Ethiopian mountains and deserts.
Will put more pics next week as I am finishing the wings and engines…
ikar01, I see you will be building the Williams kit and have markings for it already, but if you want all kinds of color schemes here is a place you will like:
Hi wing-nut, happy you like the models, might join you in that “Battle of the Atlantic” group build, but I have to sit down and look for a good subject, was thinking on the Hudson or Ventura I have good plans of both, but I have other ideas…[:D], will see this long weekend.
In the last week I had more time to modelling . As you can see the C-46 is almost finished. I will now get into detailing it and setting up its landing gear, engines and propellers. Then paint it to Alitalia 1947 Colors.
Solid, this build is really moving right along. My hat’s off to you. My dad and uncle used to build carved airplane models as kids, but none survived, unfortunately. I haven’t seen any of these done is years. Outstanding work, sir.
Hi Keyworth…Glad to know you appreciate “solids”, your Dad and Uncle must be as old as I am. 60 Years ago you could find almost any plane as a solid kit. It is an lost art, but I enjoy it very much…a challenge and a great satisfaction, and as a bonus, you can make Any plane, ship, tank or car you want!!![2c].
Today I applied the first coat “spray” of clear varnish, look how pretty Mohagany wood looks. I will add 6 or 8 more coats and then the colors. I still have some details to add, mainly the top antennas. By the way, all detail are made with small pieces of Mahogany and Bamboo. In this model the wheels are cardboard…[:D][:D][8D]…what looks to be pretty hard will be the wheel rings, in this plane they make it or break it, they were very original, like the P-51 Mustang, you don’t get the wheels right and the model dies!!![:O][:(]]
I aligned the wings to the fuselage, marked the spot and then drilled two holes both on the fuselage and wings. Placed rods of Bamboo on the fuselage and epoxied the wings. This makes the structures very strong, I usually test, once dried, by dropping the whole contraption from 6 feet, if nothing breaks, its O.K…
I use a putty called " Latex Wood Filler" made by Plastic Wood. This is the best putty there is. Dries in about two hours ready for sanding. You can see it by the light color by the wings, rudder, engines etc…I get it at “Do it Center”, any hardware store should have it.
Thanks for your kind words, but 60 years ago everyone made these and I can asure, much better than me…
The following link is one of the best sites for aircraft modellers. If you want to reproduce a “Crashed Plane”…All colors and flavors. Interesting stories too.
I have never done a porch!!! that really must be hard…
The silver paint is : Dap Touch n’tone All-purpose Household spray piant " Metallic Aluminum 272" for interior/exterior wood, metal and masonry. [:)] Beautiful no???
Can’t use it on plastic…I’ll spray one of my old plastic “still in the box kits” and let you now what happens[yeah]
The end is approaching slowly but surely. Finished painting the Top and testing color on wheels and de-icing boots on wing. I use a felt pen for the latter two, will work on the wheels some more, got to get them just right…I still have to do my homework with details and setting up some patterns for the windows… here are two pics.
