DHC-2 Mk. III Turbo Beaver

[dhanners]

It feels strange building something not black and not named X-15, but I decided to tackle one of Jim Gausman’s great Turbo Beaver models. This one is registration C-FOPA, operated by Ontario Provincial Air Services, and this version of Jim’s model was repainted by Gary MacPherson. It’s a Design Group Alpha model.

The model is in 1/48th scale. I don’t build many airplane models — and this is my first floatplane — so some of my skills are a bit rusty. The model was built pretty much stock except I cut off most of the joiner strips and made my own so I could have butt joints on most pieces.

I saw some photos of C-FOPA with a different red anti-collision light on top so I scratchbuilt a new one. (I also saw photos with the style of light provided in the kit.) I also found photos with two steps on the rear float struts instead of three. Most photos I saw of parked or docked DHC-2s show the propeller blades feathered, so I cut the blades off and replicated that look.

Of course I ignored the step in the instructions that said to add weight to the nose if you’re building the floatplane version (my own incompetence…) so I’ll need to figure out a way to display the model.

It was a fun build and the model is pretty well designed.

[MacSongLi]

Great build Dave. You did an amazing job.

Gary

[YOAVHOZMI]

very good job

YOAV

[dhanners]

Thanks, all!

I should add that I ran wire through the wing struts and the fore and aft floatplane struts to add some rigidity. The model doesn’t really require it, but it seemed like an easy addition that makes things a bit stronger.

Some photos with less clutter in the background. Not as pretty as Jim’s photos taken out on the lake….

[MacSongLi]

Your butt joins worked out really nicely Dave.

Gary

[gomidefilho]

Very nice build! Is in my to do list! Congratulations

[Texman]

Splendid work! That will look great on your shelf.

[yukonjohn]

Wow, very nice build. You make a 1/48 build look a lot bigger.


Regards,
John

[dhanners]

Thanks, all. I discovered I wasn’t as done as I thought I was, and I learned a lesson in floats today. I was also reminded of Norm Abrams’ sage advice to read, understand and follow the instructions. In this case, Jim Gausman’s instructions were spot-on. I just failed to follow them.

When it comes to floats on floatplanes like the DHC-2, there are two kinds — amphibious and seaplane. Amphibious, as the name implies, has retractable wheels that allow the aircraft to operate on both water and land. Seaplane floats limit the airplane’s taxiing, takeoffs and landings to water.

I built my model with seaplane floats, thinking I’d just skip the wheels. But the subject of this build, C-FOPA, is equipped with amphibious floats. Each float has a two-wheeled main gear and a forward steerable caster wheel. When operating on water or airborne, the gear are retracted.

So in order to make my model accurate, I had to do some post-build surgery. I decided to model the aircraft with the landing gear retracted. I began by assembling the wheel wells, then carefully slicing away the doors where the wells would be. I glued the wells into place. (It would be a lot easier operation if done while the floats are under construction. Just as Jim’s instructions have you do….)

I then assembled the main wheels and scratchbuilt the struts. Then I did the forward wheels.

Pro tip: If a talented, experienced designer like Jim tells you to do something, you should probably do it….

[Tapcho]

Though my favourite is the snubb nosed Wasp Junior version this pointy turbo charged pleases my eye too. And your build is excellent I say.

Tappi