Douglas DC-2, DC-3 and derivatives Ideas and Inspiration

[GTX_Admin]

I've expanded this topic to include the earlier DC-2 that led to the DC-3 as well as to more militaristic versions such as the B-18 bomber.

[GTX_Admin]

Does anyone know of a B-18 model kit in 1/48 scale?

[GTX_Admin]

Random thought:  In in 1935 as part of the RAAF's modernisation program, the Avro Anson was ordered as a general reconnaissance bomber and was initially used for maritime parol duties. Deliveries of the first order of 48 aircraft began in November 1936 and were completed in September 1938. Allocated serial number A4-1 to 48 these aircraft served with Nos 2, 4, 21, 22 and 23 Squadrons on maritime patrol work. Some were fitted with ASV radar and patrolled the eastern seaboard of Australia with Nos 66, 67, 71 and 73 Squadrons.

However, back in 1934/35 then RAAF Cheif of Staff, Sir Richard Williams was extremely impressed by the Douglas DC-2 that came second behind the purpose-built de Havilland DH.88 racer Grosvenor House in the MacRobertson Air Race between London and Melbourne.  What if off the back of this the RAAF either approached Douglas (or vice-versa) and an order was placed for the B-18A for the same role?  Not only would they have provided a useful bomber for the RAAF, they could later be upgrade to B-18B status with Radar and MAD boom thus fulfilling the maritime patrol role even more so.

[raafif]

proposed Fokker DC-2/DC-3 bomber.  The silver model is the official 1938 sample shown to the Dutch Air Ministry.

[apophenia]

...What if off the back of this the RAAF either approached Douglas (or vice-versa) and an order was placed for the B-18A for the same role?

I like it! Bolos instead of Ansons (and Hudsons?). Maybe a joint Douglas purchases with B-18s for the RAAF and DC-2s for Qantas?

[kitnut617]

I've got a Bolo vacuform in the stash to do as an RW RCAF one.

[GTX_Admin]

I've got a Bolo vacuform in the stash to do as an RW RCAF one.

The White Eagle one or the Execuform one?

Ah yes the RCAF Douglas Digby - some good photos etc here.

[GTX_Admin]

I like it! Bolos instead of Ansons (and Hudsons?). Maybe a joint Douglas purchases with B-18s for the RAAF and DC-2s for Qantas?

Instead of the Ansons but probably not the Hudsons which had better performance again.

[GTX_Admin]

And to be honest, even the B-23 would probably not be worth it over the Hudson.

[kitnut617]

I've got a Bolo vacuform in the stash to do as an RW RCAF one.

The White Eagle one or the Execuform one?

Ah yes the RCAF Douglas Digby - some good photos etc here.

Execuform

[The Big Gimper]

A big bang Bolo.

Douglas B-18 37-01 75mm M1898 gun test 3





More photos here: https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-18/

[jcf]

B-18 operated by Australian National Airways on behalf of the USAAF, flying over the
Brisbane  River in 1943.

Instead of an order for B-18As perhaps ex-USAAC B-18s are transferred over to the RAAF
after refurbishment and with the later more powerful dash number R-1820 engines as
used on the B-18A.

The Special Hobby B-18 kit could be used.

[Volkodav]

A license production deal with Douglas for the B-18 / DC2 that is extended to the DC3/C-47 and then the SB2 and A-20, and eventually the A-26 

[elmayerle]

How about a Russian Li-2 equivalent of Bsler's conversion with the fuselage stretch and suitable Russian turboprops?

[GTX_Admin]

Which engines I wonder?

[ChernayaAkula]

One (1) NK-12 from a Bear. In the nose.  *r2d2-screeching-sound.wav*

Love the idea of a developed Li-2, tho. Glushenkov TVD-20-03 (1,010 kW/1,350 hp) from the An-3?

[elmayerle]

One (1) NK-12 from a Bear. In the nose.  *r2d2-screeching-sound.wav*

Love the idea of a developed Li-2, tho. Glushenkov TVD-20-03 (1,010 kW/1,350 hp) from the An-3?

I like those thoughts. 

Going back to other engine changes, does anyone know of a conversion kit (preferably 1/72) for the Mamba-Dakota?  Failing a conversion kit, I'll have to purchase a Fairey Gannet kit for a lot of parts.

[elmayerle]

Share your ideas or comments on this aircraft type here. 

Some on-line sources for the DC-3 and derivatives from Wikipedia:

Douglas DC-3
Douglas C-47 Skytrain
Basler BT-67
Showa/Nakajima L2D
Lisunov Li-2 and PS-84
Douglas AC-47 Spooky

Click for larger image

(Image source: NASA Dryden Flight Research Center - EG-0016-01 via Wikipedia)

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Something that is not found in most historical summaries for this aircraft
 

RC-47 Project Hawkeye
Source: http://www.koreanwar.org/html/units/usaf/11trs.htm

On the 19th February, 1957 the RC-47 proposal was put to Far East Air Forces with the stipulation that the aircraft could only carry oblique cameras and would not perform a vertical mission. The proposal was accepted and two C-47s were assigned for modification and to commence operations in July, 1957.  In fact operations did not begin until September as the two aircraft would not be ready before then. 

The basic modification for the RC-47D was the installation of a K-38, 36-inch oblique camera at the rearmost window just forward of the main service door.  The framework to hold the camera was easily removed so as to allow the aircraft to return to its transport function.  An adjustable screw also enabled a camera angle of between 23.5 and 32 degrees to be selected.  The cockpit contained the switches for the camera power and the intervalometer.  The aircraft was fitted with a drift meter which was installed on the left of the aircraft as the photo flights were made from west to east.

You left out hte YC-129, a C-117D/R4D-8, modified for extreme STOL with JATO rockets.

[elmayerle]

Odd thought - Super DC-3 wings, tail surfaces, and fuselage extension applied to a DC-2.  Alternately, a DC-2 modified by Basler.

FOr something really different, a Super DC-3 fitted with the appropriate engine nacelles taken from a DC-4M.

[apophenia]

Odd thought - Super DC-3 wings, tail surfaces, and fuselage extension applied to a DC-2.  Alternately, a DC-2 modified by Basler.

FOr something really different, a Super DC-3 fitted with the appropriate engine nacelles taken from a DC-4M.

Evan: Your idea of a 'Merlin Dakota' is cool. One issue, though, might be propeller clearance. The DC-3's Hamilton Standard 3E50s are about 3.51 m in diameter, versus 3.99 m for the North Star's Hydromatics. One thought would be to be to replace the 3-bladed Merlin units for the 3.4 m-diameter, 4-bladed prop from the P-51D (both Hamilton Standards but not sure if the splines were the same).

A Basler-modified DC-2 is also a fun idea. With the 6,640 lbs reduction in gross weight, you could get away with earlier-model PT6s ... maybe 975 shp PT6A-50s instead of the BT-67's 1,220 shp PT6A-67Rs. Or backdate further and go with the Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three approach but for the DC-2. Say, 3 x 750 shp PT6A-34AGs?

[elmayerle]

Hmm, the use of four-bladed Mustang props on a Merlin-Dakota sounds like a simple enough fix.