Douglas DC4 Ansett Cargomaster, in 1/144

Modeling Subjects Airliners and Civil Aircraft
1

I much prefer the “working” planes and ships of the model-building world, and there wasn’t anything much harder working than a Douglas DC4 cargo plane. Good old DC4s are still in the skies hauling freight.

I had originally planned to complete my Douglas DC3/4/6 collection with yet more Pan Am livery, but while searching unsuccessfully for DC4 Pan Am livery to match my other two Douglases, I spotted this “Ansett Cargomaster” decal set on eBay, and as Ansett is a (defunct) Australian airline, that appealed to me just as much.

The decal set turned out to be OK, from a point of view of accurate fit to this 1/144 Minicraft kit, which it claimed to suit. All the mistakes with the decals are entirely mine. And, as usual with the Minicraft kits, the plane needed a couple of lead fishing sinkers glued into the nose to stop it sitting on its tail.

I like the cargo doors, and the Cargomaster livery generally, so it’s nice to complete my Douglas trio with a cargo carrier.

2

Looks great.

3

You Know ;

Always did like that series of birds .I just wish someone would kit the creme de la creme Of prop transports in a larger size - Namely the " Super " G " Constellation ’ !

I believe it was " Hawk " Models that had a twin engine plane from that era too . Neat little bird as well .

4

Is that the Minicraft kit? I have one in my stash. Maybe I should move it up in the queue. I love the -4s and -6s.

5

Yes, it’s the Minicraft kit. The one I bought came with the “Spirit of Freedom” Berlin Airlift livery, which I didn’t like, but the kit itself was very cheap. So I went looking for alternative decal sets on eBay. I was hoping for Pan Am decals but when I saw the Ansett Cargomaster set, being an Australian they appealed to me and so I got them instead.