Here are some progress pics of my 1/48 Monogram C-47. Since there aren’t any detail sets for this kit that I could find, I’ve had to try and make them myself. Man, I’d much rather buy a PE set than try to carve this stuff by hand ! I am very unskilled at scratching from plastic, and I don’t have the desire to do much of it in the future. I’ll let the pros make the parts, and I’ll just glue & paint 'em !
These cabin windows were cut from thin clear sheet. Each one was trimmed, fitter, and glued with Krystal Kleer.
The kit wheel wells are just the insides of the engine nacelles, and are open to the wing interiors on both sides. I added parts from sheet styrene, pastry tin, solder, and wire. I dryfitted the wrong engine cowling, though. Oops !
The cockpit windows are also clear sheet. The posts between them are styrene strips. Some of the Krystal Kleer still needs to be removed from the frames. I used as much as I could to hold them ion place. I don’t want them to fall out when I mask them !
I’ve probably spent as much time on these windows and wheel wells as I do on a complete kit ! Although the windows are clearer and the wells look a little more accurate, I don’t see myself trying this again !
Man, you are a one man buildin’ machine! And you’re incredibly good at it, too!
I’ve always liked the C47, and you’re doing it justice. Nice looking build, Pix!
A gem Pix. I know you stated matter-o-factly there, but anyways when you do it again[:D][^], I hope you do a civi DC-3 is some cool livery because you are one guy who can do it justice.
Thank you Gip, Bossman, Rick, Swanny, Thad, wayne, woodbeck, and rrmelend !
Gip, Bossman, and Rick - what can I say? I just LOVE building aircraft models !
Swanny - I’m not worthy ! [bow] I’m not worthy ! [bow]
wayne - the engines are separate, but one-piece. They just have a basic coat of paint right now. I have to add the ignition harness and apply a wash to them.
woodbeck - I wouldn’t mind doing one of these as a DC-3, if I could find one. Now, if someone would issue a Lockheed Constellation in 1/48 . . . (I can dream, can’t I?)
vance - that’s the meaning of my quote: “Build what you like, like what you build.” I just can’t build out of the box anymore. I need a little more challenge nowadays.
yardbird - I really simplified the wells, as I was feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to add everything. At least they are a little more accurate than the kit’s.
Looks great as always! Can’t wait to see the finished product. I wish I had your patience and talent, Pixilater!
I know what you mean about saying, “I’ll never do that again,” but when it comes to modeling we usually find ourselves trying something again in the future!
i love a challengE!!! i sometimes get old and cheap kits, no matter how bad they are!!! and i always put my best effort in them…scratching and what not! great scratchbuilding on your side!!! i have to do that with a B-17 that looks like it was hit by flak aaaaa…(looks over at it) REPEATED TIMES!!!
hopes yours turn out great, which i see they are going to be!!!
just look at my (1970’s revell/monogram zero and wildcat) these were really bad but with scratchbuilding they turned out great!!!
Great looking build pix. I don’t know why you wouldn’t like scratch building when you’re that good at it. Now, I don’t like scratch building, but that’s because I suck at it.
Thanks Mark, DOUBLE D, Tankmaster, obiwan, and pingtang !
Mark and pingtang - I just realize my limitations for making parts. My only tools for making these were an #11 blade, tweezers, and a strained eyeball !
DOUBLE D - nice jobs on the Monogram kits ! There IS a feeling of accomplishment when you go the extra mile. Easy kits, built OOB, have no appeal to me anymore. Maybe when I get old & senile (hey ! that ain’t too far away !)
obiwan - that was the “official” name given to trhe U.S. version. They are known in the UK as “Dakotas,” and are also called “Gooney Birds.” The USN called them R4Ds.
