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A few pictures of my DC-6B, the Heller kit in 1/72. The model depicts the very last DC-6 built as she looked during most of the 1990’s, when being flown by NCA on charter flights and a weekly scheduled service from Windhoek to Victoria Falls. This aircraft was originally ordered by Yugoslav Air Transport, and immediately used my Marshal Tito as his official aircraft. When he upgraded to a jet, this DC-6, along with the second last DC-6 built, where donated to Zambia. Here they were hardly used and eventually stood abandoned for almost 20 years. The two aircraft then came to Namibia when the charter company NCA was offered several tonnes of DC-6 spares to keep their cargo aircraft doing UN relief flights in Angola operational. The deal however required the two abandoned DC-6B’s to be removed from Lusaka airport. The two air frames were found to be in remarkably good condition, due to the low initial usage. In a 2 week operation both aircraft were made flight worthy and departed to Namibia. Here they were restored for the charter business. Being christened “Fish Eagle” and “Bateleur” respectively. However, as everything flying is becoming more and more cutthroat, the feasibility of operating them diminished. Fortunately for this DC-6, Red Bull bought the aircraft, and they did an even more thorough restoration of the aircraft and kitted her out with a nice health monitoring system and the works. As part of my studies in engineering, I had to do some industry relevant work/job shadowing. I wanted to gain some insight to aircraft maintenance, and as my dad knew the boss of NCA, I was able to spend a few months at their maintenance facility. With my anorexic student build, I was put to good use for cleaning the inside of the fuel tanks and any confined spaces. I learned that I could fit completely into the nose gear bay of a Cessna 310 for example. The DC-6 on the other hand was like going first class…. During my time there, I decided to build the DC-6 kit I had; taking the opportunity to cross-reference details in person (remember that this was before cellphone cameras and proper internet). All extra detail on the model is scratch built and the markings were hand painted with toothpicks and fine brushes. Alu-foil covers the bottom of the fuselage, as that area was always polished clean. I have since acquired another DC-6 kit, with the intention of building it as she currently looks in Red Bull markings. R

Well...the second model of the year begins now that the first is completed. The DC-6B was a successful water bomber in use for many years, in many jurisdictions. Kit markings are for Conair who is a private contract company that provides both planes and support services (pilots/maintenance) for many jurisdictions based out of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The kit: This will be the first 1/144 scale aircraft I've done and actual work started December 23rd just before the holiday mad dash of many miles across the north.

I have all the physical materials I need to build my Heller DC-6B; what I'd like to do is to open up the starboard crew door and port passenger cabin door. However, I've drawn a complete blank on what lies just insides both of these areas. Does anyone have a lead on good, clear interior shots of a DC-6B, preferable but not necessarily a Swissair machine? I hesitate to cut out the doors without having information. Also, does anyone know of a 1/72 kit or model of 1950's style airstairs? Drawing a blank on that, too...!