John Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 http://www.airfix.com/shop/new-for-2014/1-72-and-1-144-scale-civil-aircraft/douglas-dakota-1-72.html John 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I can't keep up with the proliferation of Airfix releases and re releases!! Just won't be able to buy them all straight away. But This is one I will add having just about finished the D-Day issue. But, I understand there will be NO passenger seats in the kit! Purely a freighter Dan Dare Dak! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarLos Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Damn! I hoped for a real DC-3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Mrs PLC1966 will be happy. I am tasked with making one of these for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garryrussell Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Disappointed and a rare livery that with the white stripe will make it difficult to paint neatly with the stupid way they have done the windows. Please go back to the proper way of affixing them from the inside so they sit properly, not flush and so un realistic. Problem is that nowadays there is too much demand for things to be done how folks think will be easier to make and not the most realistic way to be accurate as near as can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I can't keep up with the proliferation of Airfix releases and re releases!! Just won't be able to buy them all straight away. But This is one I will add having just about finished the D-Day issue. But, I understand there will be NO passenger seats in the kit! Purely a freighter Dan Dare Dak! The lack of seats isn't really a problem,someone like Freightdog will soon rustle up a nice resin no doubt. Would've been nice if the alternative to Dan-Dare was a Cambrian or Derby Airways scheme rather than the cammo BOAC job though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viscount806x Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Would've been nice if the alternative to Dan-Dare was a Cambrian or Derby Airways scheme rather than the cammo BOAC job though. I thought that Cambrian had DC-3s with the original style of door I don't have the kit but doesn't it have the C47 freight type of doors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger331 Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Another piece of beautifully executed artwork that is evocative of the age…….We don't even seem to get summer days, like that portrayed in the painting, anymore !. I do tend to agree with others about the second choice though…..I am not a DC-3/C-47 expert and I suspect the availability of attractive civilian liveries for an aircraft equipped with the 'freight' door is more limited but I feel sure that Airfix could have been a touch more imaginative and maybe could have introduced a foreign airline option to attract overseas sales…. Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I,have probably got 400-500 photos/ postcards etc of Daks that I have collected over the years. Agree with mark that instead of the boac camo it would have been nice to see a more colourful option...there are thousands to choose from. But still looking forward to getting it though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Nothing wrong with the way the windows fit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 IIRC the kit doesn't have undercarriage doors, which limits the choice some what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 IIRC the kit doesn't have undercarriage doors, which limits the choice some what. I have suggested to Colin of Freightdog that maybe he could do these doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marty_hopkirk Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) Add me to the list of those disappointed and underwhelmed with the livery options in the kit and not getting a 'true' DC-3. Hopefully the aftermarkteers will produce a plug to give a 'proper' rear passenger door and interior to allow a true civvy 'Dak', to be built. I'm sure the specialist decal manufactures are already beavering away on colourful decal options? Marty... Edited August 30, 2014 by marty_hopkirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Nice! Happy with this & 2 more kits to add to the heap!! Never had a problem with the windows on the C-47. I'm sorry some of you are disappointed but, I have no doubt that Airfix will produce a "proper" civil DC-3 in time. Just a thought but, I'd bet good money that if Airfix had produced a "true" DC-3 instead of the new kits on offer then there would be just as many people complaining that they hadn't produced a military C-47? Allan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 ...well, considering there were 10,000 or so C-47s built versus about 600 DC-3s, the odds favour the plane you want to build being a C-47, originally at least. Perhaps Airfix could follow their own lead with the Valiant PR fit, and just tool a small sprue with the cabin and undercarriage door parts that you could buy separately. And talk about glass half empty -- you've got a new-tool state of the art kit of an aircraft that's as iconic as they come, by THE iconic British kit manufacturer, released in the markings of two of this country's most iconic airlines, and you're "disappointed and underwhelmed...?" Come on.... bestest, M. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 ...well, considering there were 10,000 or so C-47s built versus about 600 DC-3s, the odds favour the plane you want to build being a C-47, originally at least. Perhaps Airfix could follow their own lead with the Valiant PR fit, and just tool a small sprue with the cabin and undercarriage door parts that you could buy separately. And talk about glass half empty -- you've got a new-tool state of the art kit of an aircraft that's as iconic as they come, by THE iconic British kit manufacturer, released in the markings of two of this country's most iconic airlines, and you're "disappointed and underwhelmed...?" Come on.... bestest, M. Agreed! Personally, I'm more than happy with the C-47 as it stands. I'm certainly going to add this version to the heap! They could in fact also simply add the hypothetical additional sprue to existing kits on a future production run?. Funny lot modellers. You can please some people all of the time..................................!!! Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 The more tapered 'civvy' type props are included, among other interesting extra parts, in the kit though!! In my Dak spares box, I have come across intakes, passenger door insert from either the ESCI/Italeri kit plus passenger seats from an ESCI kit too. So, I am set up for my own civvy Dak, irrespective of what version the Airfix kit is. My next one is planned to be an Air Atlantique one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marty_hopkirk Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 (edited) . And talk about glass half empty -- you've got a new-tool state of the art kit of an aircraft that's as iconic as they come, by THE iconic British kit manufacturer, released in the markings of two of this country's most iconic airlines, and you're "disappointed and underwhelmed...?" Come on.... bestest, M. My glass is always overflowing. I never passed any comment about the quality of the kit. I never pass comment on a kit I don't own or have not had good chance to inspect first hand and refuse to make comment on internet posted photos only at to that end I don't have this kit or seen it with my own eyes yet. That said I fully expect this kit to be a fine kit in line with recent Airfix releases. Iconic is a subjective word, in my humble opinion I would have put both the BEA and Silver City as stronger contenders for this particular debate. Again my opinion, the wartime BOAC was at the best was a safe option. There was also opportunity to have perhaps make in-roads into the overseas market particularly the lucrative US market with a whole range truly striking and historic liveries such as Western, American, Pan Am and United. I sure a new modern tooled DC-3 kit in one or more of those lieries would have sold well. There was also opportunity to perhaps have considered some of the more colourful European operators such as Aer Lingus and KLM. I know it would have been impossible to have included all of those but one of those would have made more of a statement, for a machine that changed the face of civil air travel. I'm however, sure the after market boys will come to the rescue. I must dash as I need to mop up the spill from my overflowed glass. Marty... Edited August 31, 2014 by marty_hopkirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Weren't the vast bulk of DC-3s that ended up in post-war service decommissioned military C-47s? Many of them also retained their freight doors (and the strengthened flooring). It looks like it is a great kit and there will be no shortage of alternative decal sheets issuing forth from the decal specialists in due course (there are plenty already) so I don't think there will be a shortage of DC-3s finished in all sorts of alternative markings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 (edited) I'm however, sure the after market boys will come to the rescue. Marty... Hi Marty. They probably will but, is there any real need? Airfix have, in the past, included additional sprues with standard kits (Buccaneer with Gulf War weaponry, Lancaster with Grand Slam etc). I'd still think it likely Airfix will go down that road & issue a civil standard DC-3 in due course? Personally,I'd also be delighted to see a civil DC-3 in time but, I'm happy to wait . I'd particularly like one of the R R Dart powered DC-3s but,I do not expect to see THAT one appearing as a mainstream kit. Now, if Airfix were to produce a separate set of parts................................. Allan Edited August 31, 2014 by Albeback52 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I thought that Cambrian had DC-3s with the original style of door I don't have the kit but doesn't it have the C47 freight type of doors? I do believe you're right there. All the pics I've found of Cambrian's a/c's show that they have original style passenger doors. Now,whether there was a conversion available for ex-mil C-47's,or the fact that Cambrian managed to actually acquire ALL genuine DC-3's is something I'm not sure about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Didn't some original pre-war DC-3s have Wright Cyclones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viscount806x Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 ...well, considering there were 10,000 or so C-47s built versus about 600 DC-3s, the odds favour the plane you want to build being a C-47, originally at least. Perhaps Airfix could follow their own lead with the Valiant PR fit, and just tool a small sprue with the cabin and undercarriage door parts that you could buy separately. And talk about glass half empty -- you've got a new-tool state of the art kit of an aircraft that's as iconic as they come, by THE iconic British kit manufacturer, released in the markings of two of this country's most iconic airlines, and you're "disappointed and underwhelmed...?" Come on.... bestest, M. M, I thought the same thing oddly enough. To say that the colour schemes are 'limited' by the kit being a C47 is odd because as you say, most post war users flew the 'big door' C47. I suppose if you want BEA or Cambrian then those two are difficult but there surely are hundreds of other options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 If anyone's got the Air-Britain book (or I guess any other detailed reference), I'd be interested to know how C-47s were "civilianised" generally. I've found reference to Canadair doing a few hundred in the late 40s, having acquired lots of spares from Douglas after they were told to stop building DC-3/C-47s at once and concentrate on four engine aircraft. This seems to have involved removing the heavier military cargo floor and plugging the big door with a unit with a normal passenger door. But I don't know whether this was a process that was carried out on most/a lot/a few of the C-47s around, and whether other people might have done it in a slightly less sophisticated way... bestest, M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viscount806x Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 If anyone's got the Air-Britain book (or I guess any other detailed reference), I'd be interested to know how C-47s were "civilianised" generally. I've found reference to Canadair doing a few hundred in the late 40s, having acquired lots of spares from Douglas after they were told to stop building DC-3/C-47s at once and concentrate on four engine aircraft. This seems to have involved removing the heavier military cargo floor and plugging the big door with a unit with a normal passenger door. But I don't know whether this was a process that was carried out on most/a lot/a few of the C-47s around, and whether other people might have done it in a slightly less sophisticated way... bestest, M. I'm sure that BEA's 'Pionair' Daks were originally C47s and they inserted a 'proper' door in place of the freight doors. I also have a sneaking suspicion that some of these went to Cambrian later on. Looking at photos, they haven't got u/c doors either so it still remains true to say that 'true' DC3 Dakotas would be very much in the minority. Perhaps Colin of Freightdog might consider eventually offering us a BEA style conversion comprising a fuselage panel and small door. ATB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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