Completed Revell 1/72 C-54D Skymaster

One of the History/Discovery channels had a show on the DC3 this past summer, and there is one flying cargo from SoCal to Catalina Island, still doing the job.  The guy doing it absolutely loves it, and I think there are still a couple at work in Alaska as of a couple of years ago.  Got to be more still at work in the less developed nations around the world.

Don Stauffer

 

 

Toshi

I wanted to add Patrick206, I can't believe that after some seventy plus years that these aircrafts are still flying around.  That's just amazing!

Toshi

 

 

 

 

Doesn't a Ford Trimotor still serve Put-in-bay island in Lake Erie?  And I saw an article about a year ago about DC-3s still in revenue service.

 

Toshi

goldhammer

One of the History/Discovery channels had a show on the DC3 this past summer, and there is one flying cargo from SoCal to Catalina Island, still doing the job.  The guy doing it absolutely loves it, and I think there are still a couple at work in Alaska as of a couple of years ago.  Got to be more still at work in the less developed nations around the world.

 

Toshi

Hi Toshi!

Nice work on the C-54!  You've done some really nice builds, so don't be worried about the paint scheme.  It's nothing that patience and good masking can't overcome.

Steve

sanderson_91

Hi Toshi!

Nice work on the C-54!  You've done some really nice builds, so don't be worried about the paint scheme.  It's nothing that patience and good masking can't overcome.

Steve

 

Toshi

One thing that keeps old airplanes in the air is that because of the low production numbers compared to things like automobiles and toasters, there are a lot fewer castings and stampings than in cars and trucks.  Many airframes can actually be built from mill sheet aluminum and steel weldments.  I believe the story was that Greenameyer bought a static test F-104 and replaced most of the airframe aluminum from scratch.  People still build WW1 replicas from raw materials and copies of original drawings.

Engines are something else- very difficult to build from scratch, with a lot of castings.  But many folks building replica aircraft, or restoring old ones, power them with newer engines.

Don Stauffer

One thing that keeps old airplanes in the air is that because of the low production numbers compared to things like automobiles and toasters, there are a lot fewer castings and stampings than in cars and trucks.  Many airframes can actually be built from mill sheet aluminum and steel weldments.  I believe the story was that Greenameyer bought a static test F-104 and replaced most of the airframe aluminum from scratch.  People still build WW1 replicas from raw materials and copies of original drawings.

Engines are something else- very difficult to build from scratch, with a lot of castings.  But many folks building replica aircraft, or restoring old ones, power them with newer engines.

 

Toshi

Don Stauffer

 Don -

Even though I retired almost 16 years, while I was still flying I would see DC-3's in many places around the world. Plenty in So. America, Africa and other remote places, the short length of runways that would allow service to areas other aircraft could not operate to and from.

I have to wonder how many are still flying today. I have seen some that were modified to utilize P&W PT-6 turbines, with an extended fuselage to allow for the dramatic CG change with the much lighter engines. The Company might have been named Basler, too long ago, can't be sure now.

Patrick 

 

Toshi

I wanted to add Patrick206, I can't believe that after some seventy plus years that these aircrafts are still flying around.  That's just amazing!

Toshi

 

 

 

 

Doesn't a Ford Trimotor still serve Put-in-bay island in Lake Erie?  And I saw an article about a year ago about DC-3s still in revenue service.

 

Your doing an awesome job, looking forward to seeing more!

Toshi, I have been following this interesting build. I have the C-54 and the C-118 in my stash. When was your father at Wiesbaden AFB? My father Carleton Johnson was a USAF Captain who flew both the 54 and the 118 out of Wiesbaden from 1962-65. He flew a lot down to the the Middle East mainly flying military and civilian personnel. I do remember that the 118 was not marked as an Air Force aircraft. It looked like a civilian airliner and Dad flew in coat and tie. I still have his "civilian" passports. The C-118 was a really pretty aircraft. My how the world has changed since then! - Mike ps: I really enjoy following your prolific builds.

iampiper13

Your doing an awesome job, looking forward to seeing more!

 

Toshi

Toshi, great work!  Loving this build.  I especially like it when you throw a ruler in there.  Gives good perspective.  Also, some awesome information being posted!  Great build here all around!  Keep up the good work!

Eagle90

Toshi, I know it's been said before, but it is absolutely amazing just how far you've come. Great work, Sir. Keep it up.

BK

Good to see you underway, young man. Looking good!

Did you do a dryfit in a fuselage half? The bulkheads seem to be leaning forward a bit. I'm hoping it's either supposed to be or just an optical illusion from the pics.

To Eagle90,

Thank you sir.  Yes, I'll normally throw a dime in.  This was the second time I used a ruler.  The seating area is just way too long.  Then again the whole aircraft is as such!  LOL!  You've got to love this forum and the members here.  Great knowledge through and through.  Thank you so much for the read and reply.  I most appreciate it!

Toshi

BrandonK

Toshi, I know it's been said before, but it is absolutely amazing just how far you've come. Great work, Sir. Keep it up.

BK

 

Toshi

Greg

Good to see you underway, young man. Looking good!

Did you do a dryfit in a fuselage half? The bulkheads seem to be leaning forward a bit. I'm hoping it's either supposed to be or just an optical illusion from the pics.

 

Toshi

Blackpowder1956

Toshi, I have been following this interesting build. I have the C-54 and the C-118 in my stash. When was your father at Wiesbaden AFB? My father Carleton Johnson was a USAF Captain who flew both the 54 and the 118 out of Wiesbaden from 1962-65. He flew a lot down to the the Middle East mainly flying military and civilian personnel. I do remember that the 118 was not marked as an Air Force aircraft. It looked like a civilian airliner and Dad flew in coat and tie. I still have his "civilian" passports. The C-118 was a really pretty aircraft. My how the world has changed since then! - Mike ps: I really enjoy following your prolific builds.

 

Toshi

Toshi

Yes, I've done several dryfits and everything is lined up. Must be a photo issue.

Excellent. That's what I was hoping to hear, Toshi.

Yes Toshi, I remember Kodachrome. I have close to 3000 Kodachrome slides and thousands of feet of 8mm movie film that my father and grandfather shot. Dad spent two tours in Weisbaden 18 months unaccompanied 1958 and 1959, and the tour for 36 months with our family 1962-65. I also remember F-104's on the flightline. He built models of aircraft for and with me during the 62-65 tour. I was 5-8 years old at that time. Dad had flown fighters (mostly F-86's and F-102's) during the first 10 years he was in the USAF. He transitioned to multi-engine aircraft in 1961 flying the T-29 Covair when we were stationed at Mather AFB in Sacremento, CA. Besides C-54's and C-118's he also flew C-9's and C-141's. Dad flew C-123's in Vietnam from 1967-68 out of Phan Rang AFB. His older brother Maurice (older by ten years) flew B-24's out of North Africa and Italy in WW2, followed by B-29's, B-36's, B-45's and the B-47's over a 30 year career in SAC. Dad died 10 years ago, his older brother Maurice died last August at age 94.Basically I grew up on US Air Force Bases being able to recognize military aircraft like most kids identified cars. I enjoy building those aircraft as models. The kits that are coming out from Tamiya and HK now are simply amazing. Keep on buiding those models Toshi! - Mike

Honestly, that's what I pray to see every time!  LOL!

Toshi

Blackpowder1956

Yes Toshi, I remember Kodachrome. I have close to 3000 Kodachrome slides and thousands of feet of 8mm movie film that my father and grandfather shot. Dad spent two tours in Weisbaden 18 months unaccompanied 1958 and 1959, and the tour for 36 months with our family 1962-65. I also remember F-104's on the flightline. He built models of aircraft for and with me during the 62-65 tour. I was 5-8 years old at that time. Dad had flown fighters (mostly F-86's and F-102's) during the first 10 years he was in the USAF. He transitioned to multi-engine aircraft in 1961 flying the T-29 Covair when we were stationed at Mather AFB in Sacremento, CA. Besides C-54's and C-118's he also flew C-9's and C-141's. Dad flew C-123's in Vietnam from 1967-68 out of Phan Rang AFB. His older brother Maurice (older by ten years) flew B-24's out of North Africa and Italy in WW2, followed by B-29's, B-36's, B-45's and the B-47's over a 30 year career in SAC. Dad died 10 years ago, his older brother Maurice died last August at age 94.Basically I grew up on US Air Force Bases being able to recognize military aircraft like most kids identified cars. I enjoy building those aircraft as models. The kits that are coming out from Tamiya and HK now are simply amazing. Keep on buiding those models Toshi! - Mike

 

Both my uncles played for Stan Kenton big band and the armies presidential band.  Not my cup of tea but cool nonetheless!  I was a rouge at best.  My bassists played with Marvin Gaye and my pianist and percussionist was with Miles Davis for a short stint.  I had Pharoh Sanders as my saxophonist and I played the trumpet like my dad.  My band was called Jazz Attack.  

Like my dad, I lived in Europe, mostly Nothern Europe.  I was there from 1984 to 1999.  Chernobyl, bicentennial of Bastille Day, bicentennial of Mozarts death, 50th Anniversary of WWII, Live Aid, and the fall of the Berlin Wall.  These places mentioned are some of the concerts that we performed in Europe.  

Tamiya, HK, Trumpeter, Academy, are some of the many favorites of mine.  Actually, I like all model companies!  LOL!

Toshi

I have to watch my grandson today so this is how far I think I'll get accomplished.  These are the seats.  It was some what difficult as the seating platform was bowed due to its length.  But it worked out ok.

Toshi

Today's progress.

Yeah ;

 But as soon as I can develop and send Toshi a Microbot he's gonna to have to have a very bright light and a good magnifier . Now where did I put that little scudder ? Oh, there you are . In my eyelash ! Tosh , could you use something like that ? Would be nice wouldn't It .

   But you know what Scott ? I think Toshi sees in microvision . I wish I could .

Tanker - Builder

Yeah ;

 But as soon as I can develop and send Toshi a Microbot he's gonna to have to have a very bright light and a good magnifier . Now where did I put that little scudder ? Oh, there you are . In my eyelash ! Tosh , could you use something like that ? Would be nice wouldn't It .

   But you know what Scott ? I think Toshi sees in microvision . I wish I could .

 

Toshi

I woke up way too early and could not go back to sleep.  what's too early?  3:30am.  I'll probably pay for it later.  LOL!  I don't do naps during the day so I just keep going until the evening, then I'll be tired, work on my model and be up again. Oh well, tis the life of a retired modeler.

I did something I've never done before although the kit was designed for this, cutaways.  I cutout a cargoloading side door.  I've never done that before so it was trial and error at best.  Overall I think it came out great.  

I've included photos below of my most recent updates.  I thought the hardest parts were the paint scheme.  I guess not, assembly of this technically challenging kit is second to none.  So this has been an inspirational and exciting build.  So please enjoy the photos below as I'm that much closer to closing up the fueselauge!  I think!  LOL!

Toshi