Rizon Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 (edited) 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 Edited June 16, 2020 by Rizon Photo links corrected. 45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Absolutely gorgeous! I look forward to seeing the Red Bull incarnation! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desert falcon Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 You have build a truly fantastic DC-6 Rizon and a wonderful story too 👍 Thanks for sharing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Really wonderful build, and a fantastic and fascinating history! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Great job on this kit! Your depiction of the metal work is stunningly good, and I also love how you carefully hollowed out the carb and oil-cooler intakes on the engines. I really love your finish, and it really captures this queen of the skies well. I've built two, and it is among my favorite Heller products--bought my first in 1985 at the Smithsonian's National Air And Space Museum. Just for your own reference if you decide to tackle it in a future build: 1) the kit's windscreen/clear part can use some corrective adjustment, for which pre-cut masks are available from Vintage Flyer. 2) If you're a stickler for this sort of thing, the underside of the kit's rear fuselage is too abrupt as it tapers inward/upward. Correcting this would require some styrene sheet and lots of putty, but only if you want to do it. And of course there are three different fuselages available depending on the plane you want to recreate: the "international" DC-6B (in SAS colors--yours), the domestic DC-6B (in Securite Civile markings), and the C-118/DC-6A in USAF colors--which gives you the cargo doors. Happy modeling! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Beautiful model. I especially like a story where the model builder has a personal connection with the real airplane. I'll bet just glancing as this model brings back a flood of memories. I'm really glad this old girl is still flying in beautiful form. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger350Pilot Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Hi Rizon; The Heller DC-6 kit is such a good one, and you have made her beautiful! What a great build! Always enjoy reading the history of the real airplane that is being presented in model form...you’ve done well here...much appreciated. Great job on some fine detail, too. Thank you so much for sharing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Wonderful story, memories and build! Radials, props, civil airliner: Fantastique!! Thanks for posting it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 A thing of beauty! Those old prop liners take some beating for style and elegance. Fantastic craftsmanship and all the extra effort has really paid off. Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorfinn Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 A breathtaking build, and a beautiful and elegant livery for the last of a storied line! Great work, all way 'round! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbus320 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Don’t see many classic propliners on here and that one is a beauty! Enjoyed reading the history too - I look forward to seeing your Red Bull version!!! Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 That's a beautiful build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizon Posted June 17, 2020 Author Share Posted June 17, 2020 Thank you for all comments, and advice for the next build. The model definitely still evokes lots of memories! Sometimes I which I had lots of money to play with to buy the second last DC-6, currently still standing in Windhoek. And maybe fit some nicely disguised turbo-props to make flying her a bit more economical and reliably.... R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyphbeta Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Really nice looking model there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Hello Rizon, Top model. Not the most easiest type to build. The real one is old, but the mold from heller is also aging. Regards, Orion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Excellent build on the DC-6, great stuff ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger331 Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Love these classic airliners in 1:72 scale..... Great Job, Well Done, Sir ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Beautiful, love the old paint scheme, no one does that, not even on restored ones. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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