LVG C.VI "Kabine" passenger conversion 1/72

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

 

 

Some times the modeling stars align and you get a very nice kit that you can convert into one of your dream projects without struggling, and, furthermore, completely enjoying the build.

I added as you know a Matías Hagen resin engine and commissioned decals, masks and "metal" window frames  from Arctic Decals.

 

The WiP is here:

 

The output of attractive, significant, colorful and uplifting civil kits from many manufacturers has fortunately increased lately, however I am always searching for potential conversions of military kits into much more civilized, smart and appealing civil counterparts. That's how I discovered the KP LVG C.VI kit, acquired for a very reasonable price (two more since then, by the way, I liked it so much).

The quality of this little kit is superb in any regard and again, how pleasurable to build, a welcome change of scenery from my usual Frankenkit endeavors. Still, there is the matter of the kit's Achilles' heel: the cabanne struts have no locating devices or marks where they meet the fuselage, making gluing and aligning (in the 3 axis) at the same time the upper wing an event to remember, and you will, believe me.

 

You can easily convert one of these kits to a civil post-war variant without even the need of adding a canopy or modifying the rudder as I did, by only removing the armament, filling the machine gun depression (pun intended) on the fuselage right side with Milliput or similar, and getting new decals.

Many C.VIs flew carrying mail and/or passenger in the aft position with only the addition of a proper seat:

"Express II", "Meteor I" (D-181), D-473 (for Baumer Aero), the ones that flew for DLR, (D-70, D-76), etc., are just some examples of C.VI in civilized use.

 

But if you like "limousine" canopies, as I do, you have at least three more planes that had them, all with different canopies and finishes (one was D-1216, the drawing at the beginning of the construction post).

 

The machine presented here had at some point the outline edges of the wings painted, as well as "L.V.G." under each lower wing, a scheme I may build in the future since I now have the decals too, plus the master to mold the canopy, problem is:

 

(And I will repost here what I post on the WIP):

I RUN OUT OF CLEAR MATERIAL TO VACFORM CANOPIES!!

I have plenty of colored sheets for the Mattel vacuform machine, but no clear plastic sheets. I already tried those two or three types offered on the Net, with unpleasant results, and nothing compares to the original ones that came long ago with the Mattel machine, and I just run out of my supply from Mike Damen, who used to produce good substitutes (he does not fabricate them anymore).

Sigh...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[clive_t]

Super result of a very unusual subject.

[kapam]

Incredible work, as usual.

I love the figures and accessories, adding even more to the realism.

[Courageous]

Superb, even after the shelf impact.

 

Stuart

[Baldy]

Another little beauty Moa and I agree, the "limousine" conversions add a kind of 20's style decadence to these old ex warplanes - like a flying litter.

 

Shame about the shelf incident but as you mention, many of us have suffered such calamities over the years - the model looks good after your repairs.

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

[Jonners]

Another beauty.

 

Can we have some of that weather, please? We could use some of it across here in good old Blighty.

 

Jon

[Herb]

Superb! Nice to have a satisfying build also work out to be such a beautiful one!

 

As for the clear material requirement, I feel your pain. I'm also on a perpetual search for the perfect clear sheet stock. Various commercial options are available, I think butyrate sheet is working fairly well for me right now. I find that I can simply cut it to the Mattel Vacuform size and clamp firmly within the frames to make it work. No need to have all the little holes around the edges. Hope that's useful info...

 

Cheers,

Herb

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

3 hours ago, Jonners said:

Can we have some of that weather, please? We could use some of it across here in good old Blighty.

 

Jon

Dear Jon

We  do actually have too much of the "good stuff", now that the dry season is here (all year long minus two weeks) you won't see a cloud, rain, or any kind of water in any of its states, and it will be scorching most of the time*. A model left on a car will return to crude petroleum in hours, and turn into  part of a Jurassic tree and a dinosaur leg in a few days.

Cheers

*(he who hates heat, the Mrs, being Brit, loves it)**

**(which leads to blanket and A/C skirmishes frequently)

 

 

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

2 hours ago, Herb said:

As for the clear material requirement, I feel your pain. I'm also on a perpetual search for the perfect clear sheet stock. Various commercial options are available, I think butyrate sheet is working fairly well for me right now. I find that I can simply cut it to the Mattel Vacuform size and clamp firmly within the frames to make it work. No need to have all the little holes around the edges. Hope that's useful info...

 

Cheers,

Herb

Thanks Herb

I have tried also several plastics offered locally the way you describe, one of them works (not sure what plastic it is), but the tolerances are much less (if not molded exactly at the right moment it won't mold properly or will get too thin in parts to the point of being useless), the original stuff was brilliant, and the range of proper "softness" to mold was wide and comfortable.

I will try Butyrate and see how it works, thanks for the advise.

Cheers