Converting new airfix c-47 into pax Skyliner DC-3

[harrysone]

I've had the kit for a while & have been contemplating a pax conversion...an NAC Skyliner conversion too.

IMG_3163_resize_zpsmdiktrkg by Harry Follas, on Flickr

there was always going to be an issue with the windows, but having flown in AWP over the summer, we got the chance to measure those too. It turns out the oversized cutouts airfix provides for the windows are the right height, but too low by about 1mm. This required cutting an extra 1mm from the top of the cutout and installing some new transparencies to mask on the essentially square Skyliner windows. In the process, I also had to add another window forward and on the starboard side fill in a window.

IMG_3143_resize_zpsmfdemh6j by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_3145_resize_zps0efchhle by Harry Follas, on Flickr

Next came the masking and fairing of gaps etc...

Then the interior...the cockpit bulkheads were altered to match AWP. The internal frame detail was then covered with strips of paper, superglued and painted in place.

28 seats were scratch built from plastic card & fitted.

IMG_3152_resize_zpscbtyrurm by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_3158_resize_zpsr7ubi02k by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_3157_resize_zpsyfmxrhn4 by Harry Follas, on Flickr




I'll post more as this project progresses...

[planecrazy]

Wow great job there, would imagine all that detail is quite fiddly in that scale.

[harrysone]

...not too bad in this scale when your used to it, detailing in 1/144 is something else!

Progress...
95d2075b719f0a5c7bf783096f2ddf16_zps1hgbaycw by Harry Follas, on Flickr
Got the major assemblies together. Airfix C-47 looks very accurate

Interesting in that it has a seperate wing spar and the wing to fuselage fairings are seperate pieces. Also the underside of the main wing also includes 2/3 of the lower aft fuselage

[harrysone]

Just removed the window masking...not too bad, considering...

9d9cb432b570a9504092f1111c12ab54_zpsu9nussm3 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

9d33e3b115e9d61402feea131c669c0f_zpsnrpxs8gf by Harry Follas, on Flickr

[Dave Homewood]

Looking great!!

[harrysone]

Update on detailing...just have to complete final livery, it will be AWP in one of its post 2000 markings, possibly with Pionair in pseudo Skyliner marks??

[harrysone]

...I changed my mind, I completed the model as ZK-AWP in its current markings with Air Chathams The Airfix C-47 has got to be the most accurate C-47/DC-3 Kit on the market in 1/72, it builds into a beautiful model. There's plenty of internal detail, particularly the cockpit, realistically you can't see much! However I'm pleased with my pax seats which are quite visible



IMG_4734_zpsxe6b6noz by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_4738_zpskpubaxyf by Harry Follas, on Flickr

[kiwiduster1]

Lovely job there Harry !! Thanks for sharing.

[flyjoe180]

Beautiful work Harry

[Dave Homewood]

That's a real stunner! Great work Harry!

[planewriting]

That's an excellent job Harry. Duane Emeny, Airline and Charter Manager of Air Chathams is keen to contact you. Please email him on [e-mail].

[harrysone]

Thanks, it's also a lovely kit, but my Skyliner mods also seem to have worked quite well !

The pax seats & interior are a good dry run for the other large kit in my collection: Revell c-54. Contemplating at this stage to do it as a Qantas DC-4 with pax interior or maybe Ansett Freighter (if I get lazy). I see Hawkeye are doing decals (specific to revell kit) for each.

[harrysone]

Apr 27, 2016 20:58:53 GMT 12 planewriting said:

That's an excellent job Harry. Duane Emeny, Airline and Charter Manager of Air Chathams is keen to contact you. Please email him on [e-mail].

Thanks, I'll drop him a line

Cheers

[harrysone]

I've done another Airfix C-47 conversion to a DC-3 Skyliner...this time AWP in CURRENT NAC "Skyliner Kaitaia livery. I say CURRENT because there are some differences , the original livery had fuselage titles in blue (not black) and had NAC in large Red font on port wing (top) and rego in blue on starboard wing

I've got to say...there is something about that red livery and the DC-3!!

The model makes a couple of interesting comparisons, the NAC Freightair DC-3 is an Italeri kit

IMG_7632 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_7652 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_7647 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_7633 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_7656 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_7660 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

IMG_7674 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

[Dave Homewood]

Super awesome!! Well done!

[harrysone]

Thanks Dave, the Airfix kit is definitely the best one out there to work with

[Antonio]

Fantastic comparison between NAC & Air Chats

[Mustang51]

Beautiful work there

[Deleted]

Yer a wizard, 'arry!

[planecrazy]

Great model she's a beauty, funny I was looking at footage of this old girl this afternoon!
Hope you don't mind the hi-jack Harry, here she is in 1 to 1 scale during a trans Tasman visit.



At Tauranga this July.


On Lord Howe Island a few years ago.