IvanP Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 This is the Airfix 1/72 C-47, built with some slight modifications and painted to represent aircraft #2015 from the 1st Air Transport Squadron (“1º ETA”), of the Brazilian AF, circa 1973. The squadron was, and still is, based in Belém, state of Pará, in the Amazon, and provide aerial support for both military personnel and the civilian population living in the small towns and villages in the region. At that time, the squadron also operated PBY Catalinas. At present, I believe they fly Cessna Caravans. The squadron badge has a winged river turtle, know locally as "Tracajá", and the phrase “Devagar, mas chego lá!” in it, which translates roughly to “I'm slow, but I get there”. I've travelled from Manaus to Belém as a passenger on this plane around that time, with my late father as the pilot. So, the inspiration to build the model, as well as some references, came from a few old pictures that I have from that trip. The Airfix kit builds well and, as far as I know, is fairly accurate. However, my build was complicated a bit by my choice of having the cargo doors closed, and also because of some modifications that are necessary to make the model represent more accurately a Brazilian C-47. These were mainly the addition of: 1) small windows on both fuselage sides, just behind the cockpit; 2) shorter air intakes at the top of the engine nacelles; 3) red navigation light on the vertical fin and 4) a second ADF football antenna at the top of the fuselage. These were all scratchbuilt. The model was painted with decanted Tamiya AS-12 Bare Metal Silver and Gunze Enamels, and finished with Gunze semi-gloss clear applied over Future. I've kept weathering to a minimum, although these planes normally operated in small unpaved airfields in the region. The Brazilian AF insignias came from an FCM sheet and most of the lettering was painted using masks made in Corel Draw and cut in a Silhouette Portrait. The squadron badge on the fin was also made in Corel Draw and printed in a blank white decal sheet using an inkjet printer. The lettering just above the side windows were made in a laserjet printer. Hope you like it. Your comments are welcome. Ivan 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 What an absolute beauty! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 (edited) Yep- that's one pretty Dak; nice to see one not in OD/grey and invasion stripes for a change. Very nice build! 👍 A very nice tribute to your father, who was a lucky to have flown such a legendary airplane. Mike Edited June 21, 2021 by 72modeler added text 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Very pretty. I've seen pictures of the Dakotas in this region but never saw one built yet. Yes looks good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 A beautiful rendition , first class modelling ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Stunning build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Wow!! Simply breathtaking! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueNosers352nd Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Looks great! I had so much trouble with that kit that I finally got PO'd and trashed it. Mostly likely my issues not the kit! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Cool as a Cucumber 🥒😎 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Wow. A gorgeous build and an interesting scheme. Cheers, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 That is seriously good! A level of perfection I will continue to strive for, but will likely never reach. I have two civil DC-3 kits (an Italeri and an Airfix). My Italeri build stalled when I lost the windscreen piece inside the fuselage! 😧 Well, your C-47 just might just inspire me to give it another go. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Very nice, looking great with something other than WW2 markings Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Schilhart Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Very attractive model and great background story. Thank you for showing!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvanP Posted June 17, 2021 Author Share Posted June 17, 2021 Many thanks, guys! Appreciated! Ivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob K. Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Really nice finish! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Air Services Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Very attractive scheme there IvanP, impressive 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Lovely work, looks superb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneri Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Ficou sensacional !!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triet Cam Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 Absolutely beautiful build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyingdutchman Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 An absolute beauty 👏🏻. Really like the colourful tail. Cheers Evert 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Uncanny realism, and in 1/72 no less! 🤩 Just spectacular really, and very neat scale modeling! It is greatly complimented and enhanced by the personal backstory. Thanks a lot for sharing this one Ivan! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Hello IvanP, You mastered the construction and the color scheme to a very high standard. It looks fantastic.👍 As mentioned:'Slow, but we get there." Even as we speak, there are still some examples flying around in the world, still making money for their owners. Regards, Orion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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