--> 1/48 C-47 - Post-War Warbirds

[Donivanp]

User Name: DonivanP
Name: Don
Category: Intermediate
Kit: Revell/Monogram C-47
Scale: 1/48
Accessories: Berna Decals Decals BD 48-08

 

[Donivanp]

I plan on doing GT2/62 "Franche-Comte" NA SAN (Tonkin) - 1953

 

[Crimea_River]

The Goony is definitely a candidate.

 

[T Bolt]

Good choice Don

 

[Wildcat]

Very cool Don!

 

[Wurger]

 

[fubar57]

Nice one, I have the Revell Berlin Airlift C-47.


Geo

 

[Wayne Little]

yes, very cool Don!

 

[JKim]

Ah... I think I remember that box art from my childhood.

 

[Airframes]

Good choice Don. I've always wanted a 1/48th scale 'Dak', but need to find the room to display it !

 

[Donivanp]

Designed from the very popular Douglas DC-3 which had been in service since 1936 and had it first flight in 1935, the C-47 was ordered due to the imminent US involvement in the war looming on the horizon. First flight of the new aircraft was on 23 December 1941 just 16 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Differing from it's airline cousin by having a cargo door and hoist and reinforced floor, The C-47 flew in every theater of WW II. A variant of the DC-3 was flown by the Japanese as Shōwa L2D and Nakajima L2D, and called the Tabby by the Allies.

After WWII the C-47 lived on and flew with several countries military services, Britian, France, Russia and the US just to name a few.

France having lost control of it's Indochina colonies to the Japanese during WWII, (Technically the French still held them as the Vichy French, just that Japan told them what to do and how to do it), moved to reassert control over the region right after WWII. In the long fight against the communist forces the C-47 was used greatly to resupply forces and to paradrop troops.

The C-47 flew for the US in Korea and in Vietnam in several guises. Today they can still be found flying for civilian airlines sove having been re engined with turboprop engines.

This build will use the Monogram/Revell (Monovell) 1/48 scale C-47 Skytrain as the basis for a French C-47 flown out of Tonkin (Indochina) in 1953. I plan on a straight OOB build save for the markings, which are Berna Decals BD 48-08 which I purchased from ebay. This set covers three French C-47's from Indochina 1953/54 time frame. One in OD over grey and one NMF upper and black lower and one all NMF.

That being said, lets get started.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPjrH_ofzy0

 

[Donivanp]

Monogram's 1/48 C-47 Skytrain first released in 1978. As was the norm for Monogram at the time it was packed with details. The latest issuing of it is with the original box art.

Consisting of Four olive drab trees and one clear tree the kit is pretty straightforward (really there is not much to any cargo plane), so as was the norm for Monogram at the time, it includes several figures, including paratroopers, mechanics and aircrew.

 

[Donivanp]

The first thing I am doing is the interior green paint, then I'll paint the basic exterior on the tree. that should cut down on the masking as there is not much but it is small. This way I should need to do mostly just the seams to clean up.

 

[fubar57]

Nice start Don

 

[Donivanp]

Thanks Geo.

 

[Wurger]

Agree with Geo.

 

[Wayne Little]

Good stuff.!

 

[Donivanp]

OK so here goes the French Dakota. Monogram put a lot of stuff in here and it neat but will never be seen. I cut out the crew entry door just to see if it would help, No it won't, event with it open you can't see the Nav and Radio operator startons. I cut out the door between the crew stations and the passagen section but you can't see a thing. Even the cockpit with it closed up and the windows in, you won't be able to see much at all. They even give you the toilet and sink, but it behind a closed door bulkhead. Why?

 

[Wurger]

Looking good.

 

[fubar57]

Good start Don. It's a shame about the hidden details but we know they are there.