ProfSparks Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 Hi All While waiting on my Big H order for my Arado, my idle hands alighted upon this other large box I'd been entertaining the prospect of doing it as a recipient of NMF, but been putting it off as it's a sizeable beast. However, as I'd bought it cut price as a refuge from completeness, the seller had included a partial sheet of Xtradecal So hey, a red white and blue ZA947 it shall be! All the main sprues seem to be populated, come with me and let's see what's missing... The interior has slotted together like a bought one, though precious little of it will be seen once the sides join I'm planning on all doors closed, the smooth lines showing off the well meaning but slightly incompetent paint scheme. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Air Services Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 Well I'll be watching this one unfold. Its a nice kit, shame all that detail gets hidden. At some point I will build ZA947 in all her liveries. Oh if you don't already have it get the Haynes dakota manual it uses ZA947 as it's primary source. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jyguy Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 Watching with interest. During its time with the RAE at Farnbourgh the aircraft had Six double airline style seats installed on the Left hand side of the cabin. Just aft of the wing centre section was a Decca "teardrop" and a observation window as can be seen in the attached pictures. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 1 hour ago, jyguy said: During its time with the RAE at Farnborough Interesting pictures jyguy. Do you know of any other interesting pics of this Dak while at RAE? I will keep an eye on this build ProfSparks, one scheme I want to build but need a Dakota kit first. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jyguy Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 Hi Head in the Clouds, Unfortunately I don't know of any other specific close up or detailed pictures of KG661/ZA947 in RAE service. The Aircraft Illustrated edition of August 1979 carried a four page feature on a trip to Berlin Templehof for the 30Th anniversary of the Berlin airlift in the RAE Dakota. The magazine has several pictures of the aircraft including a flight deck picture. At that time it was still in the White and Grey Transport Command style livery. The Extra Decal sheet for ZA947 details some of the additional aerials and mods on the airframe. I think some of the second-hand kit dealers and traders on a well known internet web site are offering Airfix Dakotas at reasonable prices. I'm really looking forward to the Prof's build given the quality of his previous work as shown on Britmodeller. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 1 minute ago, jyguy said: I'm really looking forward to the Prof's build given the quality of his previous work as shown on Britmodeller. Cheers. I will see if I can get my grubby mitts on that particular issue. I have not seen any of the Prof's builds before so I look forward to it, especially after your recommendation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Air Services Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 2 hours ago, Head in the clouds. said: Interesting pictures jyguy. Do you know of any other interesting pics of this Dak while at RAE? I will keep an eye on this build ProfSparks, one scheme I want to build but need a Dakota kit first. Try finding an Italeri Dakota that's the best kit to start with, accurate and low parts count 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 21 hours ago, Ruskin Air Services said: Try finding an Italeri Dakota that's the best kit to start with, accurate and low parts count Cheers, will do. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 Hi All On 1/20/2021 at 10:11 PM, Ruskin Air Services said: Its a nice kit, shame all that detail gets hidden. Hi Ruskin Air Services, yes it is a nice kit (so far), although hiding some of that 'detail' isn't that much of a shame Aren't the pedals meant to be going in the same direction? Also, there are plenty of detailed ejector pin marks generally overall, but an attempt at detail on the rearward section Though not so much on the forward end The doors are an acceptable fit And if I was to be doing them opened up I'd be inclined to use these ones as opposed to the supplied "opened up state" ones I was going to leave the seats out as the doors would be closed, but I realised that they provided the location for the floor And also the filler for the escape window interior While on the subject of windows, there is one on the Stbd side just behind the entrance door that is marked but filled in It's a prominent feature on pics of the real thing, so I opened it up Other prominent features are On 1/21/2021 at 5:06 PM, jyguy said: Just aft of the wing centre section was a Decca "teardrop" and a observation window as can be seen in the attached pictures. On 1/21/2021 at 7:26 PM, jyguy said: The Extra Decal sheet for ZA947 details some of the additional aerials and mods on the airframe. Hi jyguy, great pictures thanks, I'll be investigating these further. Any info on the non-circular cowling on the upper right photo you posted? The interior was given a coat of Vallejo VA71.126 IDF/IAF Green, then a dirty wash of Pledge-&-Dregs. The driver and conductor seats were done in Vallejo 72.029 Verde Asquereoso Green as I figured they'd like something a bit more cheery than their bleak office walls, then the whole lot has been exposed to W&N Matt for the duration. The IP decal is too big and etc etc and most likely won't be seen blah blah blah On 1/21/2021 at 9:51 PM, Ruskin Air Services said: Try finding an Italeri Dakota that's the best kit to start with, accurate and low parts count Thanks, now you tell me Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 This is looking great, and I'd recommend filling the yawning gaps around in the cargo door as it meets the surrounding "skin." Perhaps a bit of stretched sprue just to make it a fit a little tighter? I had to add some plastic to mine, otherwise it did not look right. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jyguy Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Hi Prof Sparks, The two right hand photographs in the picture I posted show the cowling detail on a Wright powered early Commercial DC 3. You may wish to scribe the escape hatch over the flight deck and the aileron trim tab (RHS) on your model which Airfix missed. Coming back to cowlings they are the really the only downside of Italian C 47 kit. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 Hi All On 1/23/2021 at 8:07 AM, jyguy said: You may wish to scribe the escape hatch over the flight deck and the aileron trim tab (RHS) on your model which Airfix missed. Thanks jyguy, I'll look into those details 👍 Thso, the internals fitted internally And is a blank canvas for a decent detailing adventure should you wish. After some scraping, filing, and generally dry fitting the sides together, she was glued and lightly clamped overnight Imagine my choice of short words at the result This would seem to be the perfect opportunity to test my Sprue Goo mixture. Now then, this looks worse than it turned out to be, as some more filing and sanding cleared things up considerably So, what have we learned here? Well, firstly, check on clamped models occasionally to prevent them setting in the wrong place Secondly, thin down the Sprue Goo so it doesn't just blob on the surface Thirdly, don't put too much Goo on as you'll only have to file and sand it all off again And fourthly, give the Goo time to set fully so that it doesn't just bobble off. I may be some time. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jyguy Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 I like the idea of using the sprue as filler. Great use for it. Here is a picture of that exit over the flight deck which was notorious for leaking and soaking the crew. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 3 hours ago, ProfSparks said: Well, firstly, check on clamped models occasionally to prevent them setting in the wrong place ...or, especially with larger planes, do it in sections. It gives you more opportunities to check & correct if necessary. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share Posted February 2, 2021 Hi All Working my way round the seam I attached the tailpiece. To say that it was nearly a close fit would be wide of the mark somewhat However, the tailwheel mounting just clicked right in without any drama I hope it's in the right way round as I couldn't click it out again, so have glued it in. I then spent some time looking for clearer images of the gubbins under the nose, the windows, aerials, pipes and whatnot, but didn't come across anything better than jyguy views. However, I did notice that although Airfix would have you stick that naff tail piece on, ZA947 doesn't have it And there again, neither do either of the schemes that Airfix supply OOB As far as I could find, it's just a flat plate? Anyone have anything to add to it? So off it came and I'll fill the small end seam. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 Great progress so far, would like one of these but can't justify it at the mo . I have the ZA947 decals for the Revell 48 scale kit, going to do a grey and white machine. This looks like a nice kit. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jyguy Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 Hello Steve, Regarding the tail fairing some had it and as you've found 947 did not. The area is just a blank plate with the tail Nav light. On wartime aircraft it was where the glider towing hook was. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Air Services Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 This quite a helpful book: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jyguy Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 Yes, I could not agree more. The Haynes manual is invaluable reference to modelling the C 47, especially in this case as the aircraft featured for the airframe and engine photographs is ZA947 though she has lost a lot of the RAE mods since being on strength with the BBMF. G 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 Hi All Meandering onwards, there is a spar that spans the main wing centre section, and includes landing lights and wheel well rear bulkheads, and ejection pin marks This is glued to the lower wing centre section, and allowed to set while I ponder the underside additions However, although the rears of the wheel wells are inclined, the spar and bulkhead pieces must be perpendicular to meet the upper section. So they were levered off slightly again. I'm sure they'll be fine Anyhoo, I scribed in the drivers sunroof While on the roof, apart from the slight changes in aerials etc, the astrodome seems to be just blanked off. I'll burn that bridge when I come to it. Anyhoo, the parts so far got a blast of Army Painter Plate Mail Metal WP1130 (for a change) And a dirty wash. Airfix would have you attach the constructed wings to the body, mount the engines, then clasp the cowling halves round them. That sounds like tricky seam eradication and painting, so I might wheedle things out of order slightly. Be prepared to point out I should have followed the instructions when it all goes Pete Tong. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 It gets a little complicated with the engines, so I'll relate what I did. Don't do what I did. I assembled the engines separately, painted them, and set them aside. Then I assembled, sanded, and filled the cowlings. After painting the entire aircraft, I joined the engine assemblies as "power eggs," but it was tricky to align the engines with the firewalls, because I had to "free float" the engines inside the cowlings. What I'd recommend that you do instead is assemble/paint the engines and cowlings and join them to the aircraft before painting the rest of the model. Start by cementing the engines to the firewall to get their alignments right. Then add the cowl assemblies. Use wet paper towel to protect the inside of the engine cowlings against slurry, and sand/fill the cowling seams. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jyguy Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 (edited) Coming along nicely prof. The astrodome bubble was removed on 947 and the base ring had a flat circular plate over it. Here is what I did on my build, I am sure yours will be more tidy. Wise words as ever from they jammed Kenny, It is One of the disadvantages of the way the Airfix kit is designed that you you have to get the cowlings and engines on at an early stage. It also makes using aftermarket engines rather tricky which is a shame as from a personal view the rather basic kit engines and heavily weighted wheels let he kit down. Edited February 13, 2021 by jyguy Addition of image. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 Great build there mate. Hope you don't mind if I start tagging along! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 Nice progress coming together well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 It is looking good so far. Nice work with the sprue glue. And it appears that you have plenty of knowledgeable support. What could go wrong? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now