TOPGUN88 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Hi guys. Was just wondering if anyone out there knew if resin merlin 85 engines for a lancaster would fit the up coming C-54 Revel kit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 TOPGUN88, Apparently there is more to a North Star/Argonaut than just sticking Merlins onto a C-54 (if that is what you are thinking?) There is some discussion about it here - although the jury is still out regarding the exact changes required. On the other hand.......... it's your build. Cheers Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Aero Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 It would appear that the C.54 was more DC.6 than DC.4, incorporating more .6 components as the type progressed, The fuselage was described as DC.6 but 80" shorter and with the cargo door moved aft. The nacelles were specially designed with crossover exhaust systems so that the engines did not direct exhaust noise towards the fuselage. This I believe resulted in a higher top line to the nacelle. I remember these a/c coming into RCAF Langar. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garryrussell Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Depends The DC 4-M1/C-54GM North Star was a DC 4 with Merlin engines some of which used already built fuse sections bought from Douglas. These were the RCAF machines some of which were leased to TCA in the early days. The DC 4M2 North Star (TCA) and the similar Canadair C-4 (CPA & BOAC) were pressurised versions using basically the DC 6 fuselage shortened with the front and rear of a DC 4 added. The fuse came from the pressurised DC 4-1009 option which no airline ordered and all DC 4-1009 built post war were un pressurised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 This is what I love about this (and other) discussion groups. I have no great specific interest in the DC-4/North Star etc - but just an abiding interest in all things aviation. But looking at these boards fills in the gaps and there is great wealth of knowledge displayed - and advice available for free - by all who contribute. Long may it continue..... Ken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garryrussell Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Re the engines. the crossovers were not standard, they were a later in house mod. The TCA and BOAC versions were different. The RCAF were not modified. Some TCA M-2 had four bladed or three bladed props. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Edmundson Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 It would appear that the C.54 was more DC.6 than DC.4, incorporating more .6 components as the type progressed, The fuselage was described as DC.6 but 80" shorter and with the cargo door moved aft. The nacelles were specially designed with crossover exhaust systems so that the engines did not direct exhaust noise towards the fuselage. This I believe resulted in a higher top line to the nacelle. I remember these a/c coming into RCAF Langar. John The North Star was the same length as the DC-4/C-54. But it was more of a shortened DC-6 than a DC-4. There was at least two incarnations of the cross-over exhaust system with RCAF machines never adopting it. Ley Reynolds of Platypus Resins was working on a set of Merlin cowlings(I have on of his test shots). Cheers, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Hemsley Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) I built a North Star a few years ago from the Heller DC-6 and the Rareplanes C-54 (http://hedgehoghollow.com/buzz/North_Star/), and from what I've seen of the new Revell C-54 all you would need to make one of the later 'radar' equipped North Stars is to replace the radials with a set of Merlins, fill in a few of the rear fuselage windows and replace the props with a set of 'needle-nose' props (the pointy ones) from an Airfix Lancaster. If you wish to make one of the earlier North Stars, 'remove' the elongated radome nose. It's been a while since I did my conversion and therefore absorbed in his book, but according to Larry Millberry's excellent book on the Canadair North Star, all North Star had the 'beefier' DC-6 type main landing gear. Like I said, it's been a while since I compared the two (North Star vs C-54 MLG), but it might be worth looking into. Maybe those Heller DC-6's may be a source of parts, after all. Red Roo offer a set of 1-piece resin Merlins intended for the Lincoln B.2 without exhaust shrouds. Scroll down the page until you see "AVRO/GAF Lincoln Exhausts - no shrouds". On first glance, they seem to scream 'North Star'. Can anyone verify if they will indeed work for a North Star? (https://www.redroomodels.com/red-roo-resin-172/avrogaf-lincoln-exhausts-no-shrouds) Scott Edited March 7, 2015 by Scott Hemsley 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garryrussell Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 Looks like it. Theoretically they should do. Depends if the front ring is identical or not but I can't see why they should not be a good basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Hemsley Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) Thanks Gary. Like I said, they screamed 'North Star' when I looked at the photo on the Red Roo site and they sure look better than the one's I used on my previous build (resin casts based on the vac-form Merlins supplied in the Rareplanes kit). If I ever see the Revell kit listed at a decent price ($80Cdn at Hannants, is not decent, esp with a limited income), I hope to pick one up for myself. My other one's now in the hands of the RCAF museum at CFB Trenton. Scott Edited March 9, 2015 by Scott Hemsley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousLL45 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 maybe we can use our Lincoln engines to use in a conversion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 Here's something to whet your appetite....I have it on good authority that AIM72 will be releasing a 1/72 Merlin engine conversion set for the Canadair North Star/Argonaut. Neil has informed me that he is expecting the masters for the engines, exhausts and props to arrive in the very near future, so watch this space! XVTonker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloegin57 Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 First one for BOAC I believe. I have it listed as a DC-4M-2 :- Taken in Canada (snow gives the game away !!) Dennis (with his coat) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloegin57 Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 On a more sombre note. It was an Argonaut, G-ALHK "Atalanta" of BOAC that brought the new Sovereign back to the UK from Kenya following the death of her father, King George VI, in February 1952. Not the first aircraft to carry her as Queen, that honour fell to a Dakota, although which one I still have not ascertained. I suppose that sufficient time has passed to be able to suggest that the above would make an excellent Diaorama Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rholland Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 I may be wrong (often am), but were not Belcher Bits rumoured to be working on a North Star conversion? Whoever does, I am up for one. Richard in NZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 My apologies, I should have added the information from the link below regarding the Future release from AIM72 for 1/72 conversions to build the following Canadair North Star/Argonaut variants, TCA, RCAF & BOAC. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235005001-canadair-argonaut-conversion/ Neil is currently finalising the designs of the masters for each of the different exhaust crossover cowlings for each of the variants. XVTonker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 (edited) The North Star was in effect a shortened DC-6, but as the center fuselages of the DC-4/6/7 were identical in dimension and contour, the North Star is for all practical purposes (and in appearance) a DC-4 with Merlin engines. Edited July 13, 2016 by Space Ranger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Please follow the link to see latest updates on the AIM72 North Star/Argonaut conversion http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235005001-canadair-argonaut-conversion/ XVTonker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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