Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => Brian da Basher/Brian Perri Memorial GB => Topic started by: Spey Phantom on June 02, 2020, 12:20:10 AM

Title: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on June 02, 2020, 12:20:10 AM
this idea struck me earlier today and i thought it would be a perfect entry in memory of Brian Da Basher.
i have a spare 1/72 Esci DC-3 in the stash gathering dust, and i suddenly got to wonder how good it would look in spats and with an extra engine. afterall, crossing the atlantic on just 2 Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engines is a dangerous job, you need some extra power just in case.

sourcing parts has already begun, to replace the undercarriage, i got a set of spats from a Revell 1/32 Stuka, i think these would fit perfectly without extra modifications. as for the 3rd engine, i think im gonna look at the Heller 1/72 CL-415, as i think it comes with the Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp radials from the -215 (its bsicly the same kit with -415 parts in an extra sprue). i know its not the same engine, but its the best i can source.

i got the idea after learning about the Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conroy_Tri-Turbo-Three

as for a color scheme, i have no idea yet, but here's a rough sketch of what the layout should be.

(https://i.imgur.com/GdYdK8n.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: ericr on June 02, 2020, 12:23:20 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: The Big Gimper on June 02, 2020, 12:31:02 AM
A real Trifecta of Brian-isms.

1. Spats
2. Three engines
3. Scale-o-rama
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: apophenia on June 02, 2020, 12:51:44 AM
A real Trifecta of Brian-isms.

1. Spats
2. Three engines
3. Scale-o-rama

Yep! Nailed it  :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Dr. YoKai on June 02, 2020, 02:10:58 AM
 The profile looks promising! Good luck with the build!
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 02, 2020, 03:09:10 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Robomog on June 02, 2020, 05:23:02 AM
Very Brian.......... :D :smiley: :smiley:

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: jcf on June 02, 2020, 06:12:13 AM
Cool!
(https://photos.smugmug.com/BTS-2/i-Ndjw3Mg/0/b730e23b/O/TRI-3.png)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: ChernayaAkula on June 02, 2020, 06:46:04 AM
Really like where this is going.  :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: ysi_maniac on June 02, 2020, 07:52:05 AM
Just perfect with 3rd engine and, above all, spats
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on June 02, 2020, 09:22:09 PM
Update:

parts have been souced, and i have did a dryfit test this afternoon.
from what i can see, the nose is gonna need some heavy modification to accomodate the 3rd engine.

the spats appear to fit in the wheel wells like a glove, all its gonna need is some PSR work to fill up the gaps.
as for color scheme, right now im thinking either the Alitalia decals that came with the DC-3, or a more modern Ryanair color scheme. i could opt later to make DIY decals if im still undecisive.

(https://i.imgur.com/loofAnX.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/mrKSAXd.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/9Mb2KhZ.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: robunos on June 02, 2020, 10:56:06 PM
Update:
 . . .a more modern Ryanair color scheme. i could opt later to make DIY decals if im still undecisive.


Cheapskate Ryanair, perfect . . .   ;D


cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: finsrin on June 03, 2020, 01:27:55 AM
Spot on to BdB style.  :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 03, 2020, 03:43:38 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on June 04, 2020, 10:43:12 PM
Update:

work has begun, i started testing the fitting with the 3rd engine. i removed the nosecap and it appeared to be a pretty decent fit.
as for color scheme, im still thinking either Ryanair, but in a 1930's theme, or Belgian Congo based John Mahieu Aviation.

(https://i.imgur.com/DiRRXTo.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on June 05, 2020, 08:47:51 PM
Update:

i have finally managed to sort out the color scheme problem, i have decided to go with DIY made decals of my own What If airline bussiness, Marlin Air Services. i was planning on using those markings on a DHC Twin Otter, but i think i can pull it off on a DC-3 aswell  8)

(https://i.imgur.com/ajJJC3n.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 06, 2020, 03:40:45 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on June 11, 2020, 10:18:08 PM
Update:

i kicked the project into high gear, as the interiour is not visible from the outside, i decided not to paint or work on the passenger compartment, but will use the seats and parts in another project.
cockpit is quite basic, but should suffice for me. the wings are also assembled and when the paint was dryed, i put the fuselage halves together.

now i can start on the conversion work. starting with the 3rd engine fitting.

(https://i.imgur.com/jAEIzDK.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/uJ27vUw.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/9mGoVOt.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 12, 2020, 02:46:42 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/uJ27vUw.jpg)

Hmmm...that shot gives me ideas... ;)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on June 25, 2020, 10:56:22 PM
engines were fitted today, and i started painting the main wheels.

(https://i.imgur.com/y5NI2Hy.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/A5GABsB.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Buzzbomb on June 26, 2020, 11:21:17 AM
This is certainly going in the right direction.
Nice work
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 01, 2020, 10:18:12 PM
another bench session, more progress.

on the last session, the tailwheel broke off, so today, i replaced it with a larger single-piece tailwheel from the sparesbox.
all i needed to do was to drill a hole where the gear was fitted, the new rear wheel fits perfectly.

also, the spats have been added to the wings. once the glue is dry, the gaps on the sides will be filled up with putty, then it just needs some PSR before the whole thing can be fitted to the fuselage.

(https://i.imgur.com/qapA2Ga.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Q7QWm6b.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Old Wombat on July 01, 2020, 10:39:31 PM
Woh! What big spats you have! :-*
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Robomog on July 02, 2020, 01:09:03 AM
Woh! What big spats you have! :-*

Woo yea!  Brian would be very impressed with those

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 02, 2020, 06:11:12 PM
here's a quick dry fit test i did this morning  8)

(https://i.imgur.com/i4K65IC.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/mQaeyeJ.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: ericr on July 02, 2020, 09:26:03 PM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: elmayerle on July 02, 2020, 10:19:18 PM
Looks nice, but you are going to need to build up the fuselage behind that center engine to avoid aerodynamic drag effects.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: robunos on July 02, 2020, 10:24:43 PM
MAN ! Them's MAJOR spats . . .   :smiley:    ;D    :o
Looking Good !


cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 03, 2020, 02:55:47 AM
Looking good.

Has a bit of a Savoia-Marchetti S.73 look to it:

(https://alchetron.com/cdn/savoia-marchetti-s73-692e5e9f-d9f0-4bff-be1c-70afff31006-resize-750.jpeg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: apophenia on July 03, 2020, 09:54:18 AM
The word 'spatlicious' come to mind  :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 19, 2020, 10:01:59 PM
Update:

im back at work on the DC-3. overall construction is now finished, to fix the nose covering problem, i rolled up a piece of 0.3mm thick styrene sheet. later, i sanded down the rough edges, just need to make a few cuts bafore painting.

after the wings were fitted, being an old Esci Kit, it has huge gaps in the wingroots, but this was where the newly tested UV Glue came in handy.

i just finished taping off the windows, engines and main wheels, ready for primer in the next session later today or tomorrow.

(https://i.imgur.com/1xRN5sw.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/IVi0FiP.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/gjVRQSb.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 20, 2020, 02:49:25 AM
Looking good.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 20, 2020, 04:51:56 PM
Update,

this morning, the model has recieved its first coat of paint, however, im stuck again  :o
during the cleaning of the airbrush, i noticed the nozzle was spraying crooked due to damage to thze nozzle.
i tried looking for a replacement but it appears spares for revell basic airbrush set are hard to come by. at the current rate i  would not have one until august/september at best (revell 38373). and im not gonna buy a whole new airbrush just for the nozzle.

in gonna try to make a fix, but for now, it doenst look good  :icon_bofh:

EDIT: i just ordered a new pair of Airbrushes with 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5mm nozzles at the same cost as the replacement parts.
should arrive next week.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Robomog on July 20, 2020, 10:09:09 PM
You could always use  - {gulp} - a brush ?   ???

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 21, 2020, 03:50:34 AM
You could always use  - {gulp} - a brush ?   ???

Mog
>^-.-^<

i could, but white paint is a b**** to apply by hand, hence why i prefer to use airbrish for this.
just hope the blue paint i already  sprayed on holds under the maskingtape for a few days.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Robomog on July 21, 2020, 06:01:37 AM
Point taken,  :-[ :D

White, red, yellow and black all problematical. I frequently revert to a rattle can.

Build looks good,  impressive spats


Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 22, 2020, 04:49:41 PM
Update:

while waiting for the new airbrush guns to arrive, i went ahead and already printed out the decals for the build.
it will wear the markings of Marlin Air Services and have the Canadian registration C-BASH (seems rather fitting, doesnt it).

the new airbrush is expcted to arrive today, so i will put them to good use ASAP.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Old Wombat on July 22, 2020, 08:47:49 PM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: jcf on July 23, 2020, 02:22:24 AM
 :smiley: :smiley:

The big spats remind me of the Couzinet 70 Arc en Ciel.

(http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/cw1/couzinet10/couzinet10-9.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Kerick on July 23, 2020, 02:28:23 AM
Spats that big look like they would cause more drag than the wheels!
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 24, 2020, 08:31:34 PM
Update:

progress has been delayed, AGAIN  :-X

my new airbrush guns have arrived (Fengda FE-130K), but after testing, it seems they are incompatible with the Revell basic airbrush compressor. the latter started to overclock and shake, air even came out of the brush when it was turned off, so i had to order a new compressor aswell. it should arrive tomorrow if all goes well.

its a good thing the mods posted a 2 week extension, as i dont think i was gonna meet the deadline.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 25, 2020, 03:45:38 AM
its a good thing the mods posted a 2 week extension, as i dont think i was gonna meet the deadline.

You will like the new revised date even more... ;)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 25, 2020, 10:17:10 PM
Update:

after days of frustration and equipment failures, i finally got some more work done.
using my new airbrush setup, i managed to spray on the white (took longer as the Fengda brushes dont spray as much as the Revell brush and its a bit harder to clean).

all in all, i can say i have good results with this setup, this build kinda served as a test too  8)

first picture: in primer (with the old revell brush, before it broke down on me)
second picture: the white paint on the top, done with the new airbrush setup.

(https://i.imgur.com/m0LzCtw.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/wg69atg.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: ChernayaAkula on July 25, 2020, 10:39:20 PM
Lookin' real' good!  :smiley:
Looking at one of the photos, I thought it was odd this Ju 52 had such a rounded fuselage.  ;D

Hope the new airbrushes work well for you. I had one dirt-cheap Fengda (180-something-something, I think)  that sprayed much better than my H&S Evolution that cost five times as much. At least it worked much better for me.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 26, 2020, 09:11:02 PM
Update:

im nearing the fnish line as i just completed the last airbrush session on the DC-3.
the new Fengda Airbrush works alright, but has a tendency to clogg up when painting larger surfaces. the paint needs to be more deluded then the Revell airbrush set. but ive been playing arround with presure settings and foud that about 25psi works best.

all in all, there was some complaining, but the results are alright.

(https://i.imgur.com/2gQayzI.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/PAmiz29.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Old Wombat on July 26, 2020, 10:37:26 PM
Now we're going places! :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Frank3k on July 27, 2020, 01:50:05 AM
This is really starting to look good!
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 27, 2020, 03:30:49 AM
This is really starting to look good!

Indeed
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: finsrin on July 27, 2020, 03:36:05 AM
Classy,,,  with those large tires and third engine can be for Alaska-Canada bush pilot flying.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Buzzbomb on July 27, 2020, 07:21:43 AM
Coming together. The scheme is setting up nicely for a civil look
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Spey Phantom on July 28, 2020, 08:13:32 PM
Finished  8)

Back History

In 1938, TWA was looking at improving the flight safety over long ranges, especially transatlantic crossings. the most succesfull plane to do that was the twin engine Douglas DC-3, but TWA's founder, Howard Hughes, wanted a third engine on the aircraft for added safety factor. taking the exaple of the Ford Trimotor, engineers from Douglas and TWA started converting one of the TWA DC-3's to accomodate a third engine on the nose. in 1939, flight tests were conducted and proved to be satisfactory, however, fuel consumption was increased a third, reducing the aircrafts range by 33%. the project was eventually abandon and the trimotor DC-3 was put up for sale.

in early 1940, the aircraft was sold to Alaskan Airlines, and was outfitted with a fixed and enclosed landinggear, this added to the weight of the aircraft, but the 3rd engine made up for the extra power needed.

it only served until 1941, when it was inducted by the USAAF, where it served as a Ju-52 lookalike and served as a simulation aircraft and was featured in many propaganda films (in german colors) until 1944. during its service, it recieved various nicknames like "Three-see-three", 3C3 and "Trikota" among others.

after the war, it was stored away, awaiting to be scrapped, until Pratt & Whitney bought the aircraft for testing purposes.
it served the company well until 1970, when it was sold once again to Canadian based Buffalo Airways, who then sold it to Marlin Air Services in 1996. Marlin continued to fly the aircraft until 2009, when it was finally retired. its currently stored at a museum depot in Reno, Nevada, awaiting restoration for static display.

(https://i.imgur.com/TKI3rZ3.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/MLRbFNV.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/SYeozZX.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/oVkYDdh.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/dAUaFZj.jpg)
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Robomog on July 28, 2020, 09:13:53 PM
Absolutely perfect, well worth waiting for.

Memorial to Brian is a finishing touch.  :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Old Wombat on July 28, 2020, 11:02:35 PM
Great job on both build & back story, Nils! 8) :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Frank3k on July 29, 2020, 01:01:16 AM
It looks fantastic! Great job on the decals and the c-bash!
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: apophenia on July 29, 2020, 01:35:14 AM
Yep, great job  :smiley:  And I can just see C-BASH on skis in an earlier incarnation  ;D
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Kerick on July 29, 2020, 02:00:26 AM
I love the memorial decal as a finishing touch. Very well done all around!
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 29, 2020, 02:24:58 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: elmayerle on July 29, 2020, 03:12:44 AM
Great build and a beautiful finish.
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on July 29, 2020, 03:43:52 AM
Great work Nils!  I agree, Brian would be proud and blushing if he could see your model. 
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: ericr on July 29, 2020, 03:48:59 AM
 :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Title: Re: 1/72 Douglas DC-3 trimotor
Post by: Antonio Sobral on July 29, 2020, 02:42:47 PM
Beautiful job!

Great choice of decals :)