Hello Paper modelers,
The design of the Papertrade 1:50 DC-4/C-54 is almost ready, designer Cor is checking the last parts for fit and feasibility and is working on the instructions. In the mean time publisher Diderick has requested me to do an independent test-build for the KLM version, and to provide any useful feedback. Well, I'm more than happy to do so and this is the reason why the Ju-88 build is temporarily put on hold....
Here's the link to the design thread:
Douglas DC-4 / C-54 for Paper Trade: Berlin Airlift.
The model can be built in various degrees of detail (and hence difficulty): With or without movable surfaces, engine details and landing gear. Also other options are possible, such as additional details to the fuselage and the choice between the "regular" nose design and the much dreaded (or beloved) petal version
.
In any case, there's something in it for every builder's level of experience and wishes.
The model will (at least?) be available in the Berlin Airlift version and the KLM livery of the late forties.
The portrayed KLM-machine is the PH-TAR, named "Rotterdam" (hence the "R" in the call sign), which was the first post-war KLM aircraft that flew to New York in 1946. There is a most interesting movie on YouTube of this flight, fully restored in 4K resolution and colorized which provides a wealth of details, both internally and externally. And for those who watch carefully: The movie also contains images of the PH-TAS "Schiedam", the neighboring town west of Rotterdam.
The comment is in typical staccato Dutch of the day. Well, at least it's impeccable compared to today's fast, and unarticulated speak you hear on the tv and radio most of the time, the captain smokes a pipe in the cockpit and after so many hours the passengers finally get a cup of tea (Wow! Exciting!). Oh my, those were the days.
If you're interested:
4K|Colorized Unique First Flight between Amsterdam and New York (1946) - YouTube
The model is scale 1:50 and pretty big. Wingtip to wingtip the span measures about 70cm (27.5 inches). The building instructions are roughly divided into building the central fuselage and wings section, the nose and the tail section.
The build starts with the central fuselage segments and then the internal wing structure, which is quite elaborate. If you select the simple version with no separate ailerons and flaps the rear ends of the wing profile formers do not need to be cut off. I intend to build the separate surfaces but made a mock-up of the simple version, which is also shown in the pictures below.
Note that at this moment the wings have not been attached to the fuselage and not all ribs of the right wing are ready yet (still need to be shortened at the rear).
I doubled the fuselage skin on the inside to provide more strength, a trick I usually apply. The model design also provides a central reinforcement tube, which I still need to install.
The initial dislocation of the "Flying Dutchman" wording across the fuselage has been solved, as you may notice differences in the location of the wording in the different pictures.
Well, that's it for now. Radio silence for a few weeks after this due to summer vacation. Hope you will enjoy this one and until later this month
.
Cheers,
Erik