1/48 C-47 lookalike from Trumpeter

[Martinnfb]

I had this kit on my desk for a few weeks now, slowly studying blueprints and pictures of the real C-47, realizing that what was in the box is based on a licence-built Soviet version of DC-3 called Lisunov Li-2. Many of them were flying in China as long as the mid-eighties . 
That comes with his own bag of challenges. First and the most glaring difference are the engine cowlings, together with slightly different nacelles . Then there is this odd application of metal surface on rudder and ailerons . Than the interior. A mixture of dc-3 and C-47 layout. Well that I decided to leave as is and pretend it never happened. 
enough of this dark intro. This is where I stand as of now. 
 

Main wing went together without problems

Radio-operator's window I had to made out of clear sprue, since I damaged the original part

A really dirty interior job.

Christmas lights for the win. Just because I can LOL

Polishing away

not exactly flawless fit

Simulated fabric surface with rotary tool and sandpaper

First layer of putty

Scribing

[Clunkmeister]

Looking great, Martin!  I’m looking forward to see what you do with the obviously different engines and cowls

[Martinnfb]

Thank you Ernie. Quick boost took care of the cowlings and rudder. I was contemplating getting the old Monogram kit and use it as a parts mule, but this will work.   

[Martinnfb]

Some more sanding and putting from last night. The nice touch are the rivet lines. Although shallow and not exactly correct, still Giving the surface a busy look. I know the real thing has rivets like a choo-choo train, but we won’t talk about that now.

 

[Martinnfb]

In terms of camouflage I was aiming for the Camel caravan to Berlin, but then diverting into this particular airplane that I bumped into thanks to Dana Bell .

Or this guy , also at Fort Benning, GA 

one more in colours

[Clunkmeister]

Those were THE way to get around in the 40’s!  Even the Japanese ran off their own copies of the C-47. The only major nation that didn’t use them was Germany, because of course they had their similarly capable Junkers 52.  Some VERY good airliners came from the 30s to be pressed into military Service!  And both the DC-3 and the Junkers 52 are still out there, making money in revenue service to this very day!  

[Clunkmeister]

The Lisunov sure had a different look to it’s engine cowls and nacelles….

Like you,  art in, I find the history to be seriously interesting  

 

[Clunkmeister]

I think I need to go look at my 1/48 civilian Ju-52 in my stash. The old Gooney Bird needs some competition…

[Peterpools]

Martin

Looking mighty good and a shame, a subject we don't often see builds of.

[Landlubber Mike]

Great start Martin!  Those QB items look like fantastic improvements.  Looking forward to seeing this come along!

[Jeff]

Yeah , but nothing like a pretty one

[Jeff]

And here is an answer to all your control surface woes....

[Martinnfb]

That you guys. This arrived today. Wast improvement over the rubber ones from the kit. What amazes me is the fact that ResKit from Ukraine is despite the horrific Soviet invasion able to run business efficiently. God bless all Ukrainians in their fight for freedom. 

[BlrwestSiR]

Definitely not a kit you see that often. 

I for sure wouldn't have known it was based on the Russian version. 

[PanzerWomble]

Fun fact if you ever get over to Normandy - the D-Day experience museum near Caretan has a full size flight simulator based on a C-47 chassis , where you get to "experience" flying into normandy on D-Day. Sounds naff I know, but after 2 mins we found ourselves 100% "in the zone". 

It is at Dead mans Corner where the US 101st and the Falshirmjeager battled it out for three days to capture the hotel

 

https://dday-experience.com/en/

 

 

 

[GazzaS]

On 2/10/2023 at 12:19 PM, Clunkmeister said:

The only major nation that didn’t use them was Germany, because of course they had their similarly capable Junkers 52.  

I hate to nit pick.  But the Germans had a few captured examples they used.  Don't ask me when, how, and what...   but Wikipedia told me...   so it must be true.

[GusMac]

On 2/12/2023 at 2:01 PM, PanzerWomble said:

Fun fact if you ever get over to Normandy - the D-Day experience museum near Caretan has a full size flight simulator based on a C-47 chassis , where you get to "experience" flying into normandy on D-Day. Sounds naff I know, but after 2 mins we found ourselves 100% "in the zone". 

It is at Dead mans Corner where the US 101st and the Falshirmjeager battled it out for three days to capture the hotel

 

https://dday-experience.com/en/

 

 

 

I'd second that recommendation. Went there with the kids a few years back and they really enjoyed it. 

[PanzerWomble]

On 2/11/2023 at 1:23 AM, Martinnfb said:

That you guys. This arrived today. Wast improvement over the rubber ones from the kit. What amazes me is the fact that ResKit from Ukraine is despite the horrific Soviet invasion able to run business efficiently. God bless all Ukrainians in their fight for freedom. 

So....... squirrel man , where is the Gooney bird at now ?

[Martinnfb]

In the depths of the closet of eternal despair 😂

[PanzerWomble]

Poor thing ...theres some nice stuff in that stash too .

[Martinnfb]

OK, she's not dead, just switching to a new brand of paint. And this is going to be the guinea piglet ( insert the maniacal laughter )

https://arcus-hobby.store/collections/united-states-air-force

 

yeah, my stash is pretty insane as well

 

 

 

[PanzerWomble]

I'll stand by......reckon that completely faded OD is the way to go . Good fun to paint too I reckon .

[KevinM]

On 4/13/2023 at 2:31 PM, Martinnfb said:

In the depths of the closet of eternal despair 😂

No woman could live there and let that happen inside that closet......To bad for the plane though.

[ScottsGT]

Damn.  Most of us have a “shelf of doom”. You have a whole friggin closet?  Might need to see your doc and get your meds adjusted! 
 

EDIT:  SQUIRREL!!!

[GazzaS]

Enamels?  Ewwww....