Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 6 Report Share Posted February 6 (edited) ...straight-from-the-box (sort-of). Like my recent Bestmann, this too will be a no-effort-expended, quick-as-a-flash (sort-of), start-to-finish-no-detours project... ...and something a bit more impressive than a little two-seat civvie puddle-jumper. (Who says size doesn't matter?) These days, when you get a lot of cardboard for your purchase, but relatively little plastic, Heller's DC-6B is doubly impressive on opening the large box, the kit positively bursting out in a fit enthusiasm... ...ooo look - it has big plans (me too), I wonder how long I can follow them without drifting off-piste in a burst of misguided over-confidence? Edited February 7 by Che Guava 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DC3 4,290 Posted February 6 Report Share Posted February 6 Not long. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 6 Author Report Share Posted February 6 Sticking rigidly to the plan (damn this spilled glue), I first assembled the interior which needed, nor received, no enhancement from me... ...short of a dab of two of paint... ...though a seating plan I saw had the Flight Engineer seated behind and between the two pilots seats - right in the middle of the doorway! I'll pretend I didn't notice. Meanwhile, instead of watching paint dry, I assembled the nacelles and gave the installed engines a lick of thinned black gloss. The thin paint pools in the corners of the moulding, and being silver plastic, makes the cylinder shapes stand out - cheap trick. Props got matt black rear and silver paint fronts. Undercarriage legs were left unpainted. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mad Steve 23,561 Posted February 6 Report Share Posted February 6 Very nice Senior Che.. Erm, not wishing to be a pooty parper, but the Instrument panel thing appears to be the other way round on the instruction sheet Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 6 Author Report Share Posted February 6 "I was hoping you'd spot that, Sergeant Wilson...." There's a curious branch of dislexia which seemingly has no name but a teacher of my daughter's identified it as "not being able to tell your left from your right" and also involves mirror imaging (she used to write 'b' for 'd' (as I did) and flipped 'R' into the Russian style. This was ably demonstrated once when my daughter was driving (my wife in the back me in front directing) and approaching a T junction I said "turn right here". My daughter turned left. Wife starts flapping "No, the other way". I said "Its OK, this is the way" and my daughter said "Yeh, I knew what Dad meant." Its a Gypsy curse, oi tell 'ee. All further build observations will be gratefully received @Mad Steve! 1 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 The nacelles were then attached to the conjoined five components of the wing assembly, making sure the vent outlets were always to the outside. Being somewhat of a revolutionary, despite my previous comment I am always able to tell the right wing from the left (subject to @Mad Stevescrutiny) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 (edited) While that lot was drying, I turned to the windows, which Heller nicely moulded in strips for inserting into shallow trenches within the fuselage moulding. This enabled the window 'glass' to be thinner than usual and therefore the interior was more visible. Damn them. So I began with filling in some of the little roof windows not needed in the civil version, and painted curtains of a neutral hue on the inside of the cabin windows This left me with a long contemplation on how to execute galley, toilets and ninety or so seats. This demands some extensive cranial cogitation.... ...I may be gone some time... Edited February 7 by Che Guava 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 ...within 10 seconds I had the fuselage halves glued together before I could have any more stupid ideas... There. I feel better now. Onwards and upwards, eh? 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DC3 4,290 Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 20 hours ago, Che Guava said: "All further build observations will be gratefully received @Mad Steve! Yeh right. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DC3 4,290 Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 20 hours ago, Mad Steve said: Very nice Senior Che.. Erm, not wishing to be a pooty parper, but the Instrument panel thing appears to be the other way round on the instruction sheet Oh good spot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jessie_C 12,865 Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 On 06/02/2023 at 01:03, Che Guava said: Revel's DC-6B ITYM Heller. Revell did the DC-4. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 2 hours ago, Jessie_C said: ITYM Heller. Revell did the DC-4. You're correct, of course. Went back and changed every mention tout suite as some Canadians might say . I have that other box right in front of me too. A Canadair Argonaut was my first choice for here. Thought the square windows might have held me up a bit though. Maybe next time. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 3 hours ago, DC3 said: Oh good spot. What a coincidence, I had a dog called spot, too. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jessie_C 12,865 Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 1 hour ago, Che Guava said: A Canadair Argonaut was my first choice for here. What a coincidence. I have Rareplanes and Revell DC-4s awaiting conversion to North Stars. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 3 minutes ago, Jessie_C said: What a coincidence. I have Rareplanes and Revell DC-4s awaiting conversion to North Stars. I got four resin merlins for the conversion a couple of years ago, though way back converting the Heller DC-6B and modding the annular-cowled Griffons from a Shackleton was considered. At least that way, the windows would have been the right shape! Its a model I've wanted to do for a loooooong time. The 6B is just for practice. I recently read that the North Star was slightly shorter than the DC-4. Would that be a significant amount? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jessie_C 12,865 Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 12 minutes ago, Che Guava said: I recently read that the North Star was slightly shorter than the DC-4. Would that be a significant amount? I don't think so. It certainly doesn't look much different in pictures. Long ago there was a Finescale Modeler (March 1993) article on the same conversion you're contemplating. A modeller local to me made a VIP RCAF North Star from the DC-6, resin Merlins and Aeroclub props. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RWG686 37,798 Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 28 minutes ago, Che Guava said: Would that be a significant amount? Totally impossible conversion. The DC-4 is 93' 10" long. The North Star is 93' 71/2" 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jessie_C 12,865 Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 4 minutes ago, RWG686 said: Totally impossible conversion. The DC-4 is 93' 10" long. The North Star is 93' 71/2" Just use 180 grit sandpaper instead of 300 grit when you polish off the nose and tail joins and Robert's your father's brother. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 22 minutes ago, Jessie_C said: Just use 180 grit sandpaper instead of 300 grit when you polish off the nose and tail joins and Robert's your father's brother. But when the filler gets added it would be 143ft 2 and 7/16ths long 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jessie_C 12,865 Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 1 hour ago, Che Guava said: But when the filler gets added it would be 143ft 2 and 7/16ths long Some people just can't be happy about things, can they? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Miggers 8,320 Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 (edited) On 06/02/2023 at 15:50, Mad Steve said: Very nice Senior Che.. Erm, not wishing to be a pooty parper, but the Instrument panel thing appears to be the other way round on the instruction sheet Far too observant for his own good him^^^^^^ 8 hours ago, Che Guava said: ...within 10 seconds I had the fuselage halves glued together before I could have any more stupid ideas... There. I feel better now. Onwards and upwards, eh? Built one yonks ago(big impressive thing and it's stable mate,Heller's L-749 Constellation),put a strengthening/spreader bar into the fuselearge wing roots Senor Che,they're a bit flexible and can cock up your dihedral,so there. 2 hours ago, Jessie_C said: What a coincidence. I have Rareplanes and Revell DC-4s awaiting conversion to North Stars. Get weaving then woman,get weaving. Edited February 7 by Miggers 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 11 hours ago, Miggers said: put a strengthening/spreader bar into the fuselearge wing roots Senor Che,they're a bit flexible and can cock up your dihedral,so there. Dashed good advice, Migs. @RWG686donated a built 6B to my depleted spares store a few years ago, which I carelessly lifted with one wing tip and it split along the fuselage top joint. Reinforcements will be sent immediately. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Miggers 8,320 Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 (edited) On 08/02/2023 at 08:39, Che Guava said: Reinforcements will be sent immediately. Does he know he's got to send 3/-4d because you're going to a dance though? Edited February 9 by Miggers Just remembered how to write god old pound shillings and pence 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Che Guava 4,915 Posted February 13 Author Report Share Posted February 13 As per @Miggersadvice, strengthening pieces added, definitely not 'straight from the box'... ...but a good call none the less: A piece of 40thou card glued between the fuselage wing roots; a couple of bits of 45 year old balsawood pushed along inside the inner wings and glued to the centre section. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Miggers 8,320 Posted February 13 Report Share Posted February 13 18 minutes ago, Che Guava said: As per @Miggersadvice, strengthening pieces added, definitely not 'straight from the box'... ...but a good call none the less: A piece of 40thou card glued between the fuselage wing roots; a couple of bits of 45 year old balsawood pushed along inside the inner wings and glued to the centre section. IIRC,I tabbed the rear fuse joint too Al,it's a butt joint and also none three strong. The front end is ok,curved innit so it hold better with better strenff. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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