For all intents and purposes, this one is done. I had fun, considering what I started with. I just got ahold of a 1:90 scale DC-3 and I might try to squeeze out another firefighter before the end of this GB.

   Eddie

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Well here is the Avenger, this is SIS-Q Flying Services Inc Tanker 24.

The Apache look good, hard to believe it started as a glue bomb. A B-52 is not really out of te question, there have been tests done with 747's and DC10's so the B52 would fit right in.

Howdy.  shouldda here.

Today's the day of the official end of this group build.  However, for those of us not quite done, there is an extension of six (yes, 6)  weeks.  Tell you what, that was a short winter!

To Aaron, that is a beautiful Avenger, very nicely done.  Eddie, once again, good job.  I will be sending something to both of you.  E-mail me.

I made some good progress on my CL-215.  I spent some time on the interior and it looks cool even though it will never see the light of day again.  (why do we do this?) 

The fuselage and wings are all together, and it's ready for a bath and paint.  I made a cool stand for the ship out of an old electric fan.  It's kind of art-deco and the way it's shaped, it looks like a bomber drop.  I plan to finish it "wheels up" on this stand.

My final objective of this build is to master the posting of photos, but one step at a time.

That's it from me, for now.

simpilot34 wrote:

shouldda,          Was looking thru the group builds and found this thread. I know this build has finished but is there a chance that another firebird build will (pardon the pun) take off???? I have several kits I have bought in the past couple years that I have planned specifically for firebirds. A Heller DC-6 being one of them. Cheers, Rich

I was thinking the same thing.  I worked fire dispatch for four fireseasons in Montana and had a lot of exposure, unsually on the receiving end, to many of the old fire bombers.  Right now  I have a DC-7 and A-26 waiting to be built as retard droppers.

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If you are thinking about the Mach 2 DC-4, I wouldn't do it- it's a bad model.

Better off to do the DC-6 out of the box, I've built a number of those kits as C-54s, airliners and such and they go together well.

cdclukey wrote:

I can't commit this year, but what if we made this an annual build or a rolling build? Build new birds each year to honor the firefighters that are fighting in each season? f we did that, I'd comit to building a new bird every year. Between real firebirds and the huge number of what ifs, I can't imagine running out!

That sounds like a great idea cdclukey! This will definately get me off my duff and do a build that I have been wanting to do for a long time. A rolling build would be best I think, that way anyone wishing to join at anytime, can. My brother in law is a volunteer firefighter in Hamilton, VIC, Australia. He would love to know we are doing this me thinks. Has been on the receiving end of some 'Elvis' drops he's told me. YEP, definately got a commitment from me!!!!!!! So are we a go for this???????? If so, I will be attempting Tanker 68, the last operational DC-6 firebird in the US. Sadly, now this plane has given way to the P-3. Which means, I will have to do some surgery on the forward fuse, as its a short fuse version. A scale 5 feet will have to be taken out. Since the DC-6 is mostly round it shouldn't be that hard if I just take my time. Again, are we a go??????

Cheers

simpilot34 wrote:

cdclukey wrote: I can't commit this year, but what if we made this an annual build or a rolling build? Build new birds each year to honor the firefighters that are fighting in each season? f we did that, I'd comit to building a new bird every year. Between real firebirds and the huge number of what ifs, I can't imagine running out!       That sounds like a great idea cdclukey! This will definately get me off my duff and do a build that I have been wanting to do for a long time. A rolling build would be best I think, that way anyone wishing to join at anytime, can. My brother in law is a volunteer firefighter in Hamilton, VIC, Australia. He would love to know we are doing this me thinks. Has been on the receiving end of some 'Elvis' drops he's told me. YEP, definately got a commitment from me!!!!!!! So are we a go for this???????? If so, I will be attempting Tanker 68, the last operational DC-6 firebird in the US. Sadly, now this plane has given way to the P-3. Which means, I will have to do some surgery on the forward fuse, as its a short fuse version. A scale 5 feet will have to be taken out. Since the DC-6 is mostly round it shouldn't be that hard if I just take my time. Again, are we a go?????? Cheers

cdclukey wrote:

Since it's Shouldda's build, I've emailed him and asked him for input. If he's not interested in resurrecting this build (or we don't hear from him by, say, Monday), I'm willing to volunteer to run a build, as long as no one minds that at first I'll be running a build without building anything!

Cdclukey, that is fine! Yep, Monday sounds good. Running a build without building at first is ok by me, as long as you WILL be building, I don't care when you start. I won't be just jumping in to my DC-6 right away either. Still getting research material together. Thank you for volunteering cd if Shouldda isn't interested.

Bondo- That looks great! When you said you made C-54's out of DC-6s I was. Now I see how you did it. I am really going to have to precisely make my cut on the forward fuse to fit in between the windows and curves of the taper, trying to minimize the filler work. The aft section is fine just that the DC-6 was 5 feet shorter than the A or B ahead of the wing. Thanks for the pic Bondo! BTW where did you get your aftermarket R-2000s from, Engines & Things?

Ref. AirlinerTech Series Volume 4 DC-6 & DC-7-Harry Gann

More info to come on Tanker 68. Gotta get ready for work now, gotta go work on the BIG, BIG models,lol. 747s. Getting excited about this build.

Cheers

 Hello to all,

 Glad to see the interest.  Thanks for the e-mail cdclukey.

 I think a rolling build is a good idea.  I did another Firebird since the 215.  I built a 1/48 Otter on floats.  Turned out nice.  When I started as a Fire Ranger, we were taught to drop stuff out a trap door on the bottom of the fuselage by parachute.  Seems crazy now.

Rolling build it is.  If it flies and helps to fight wildland fire, actual or "what-if", build it!

Game on!

Shouldda, How's it going mate? WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO! I'll be doing Tanker 68 as previously mentioned from a Heller DC-6B. Unfortunately, it's not the Securite Civile item, as it comes with a tank. Shouldn't be too hard to do tho. I have to finish a 1/72 Stringbag and then I will jump into it. Ordered some ingines for the kit, which is about all the aftermarket stuff there is for the DC-6, except for decals. Glad to know its GAME ON! Looking forward to seeing all the pics we will be sharing. Post some of the Otter if you can shouldda, love the otter. Catch ya on the flip flop!

Cheers