Completed Revell 1/72 C-54D Skymaster

I just got this kit yesterday as a gift, lol.  Looks like it's a pretty involved build.  I haven't had the chance to open the box and take a look around yet.  Looking good so far, I'll be following along.  Merry Christmas!

Thank you Thuens.  All parts fit together very well.  I had some small issues with the fitting of the engine into the cowlings.  Most definately something I did.  For me, this is a very complex and well detailed kit.  Lots of parts count  especially for a Revell kit.  Then again it's a Revell of Germany model.  Thanks Thuens for the visit!

Toshi

Very nice, how was the parts fit sofar?

Theuns

Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year!

Before my kids come over I decided to work on the C-54.  Here is today's progress.

Toshi

I looked at my grandson while he slept in my arms yesterday. What an angelic cherub face.  As he lay there with me, I thought of building the C-54D. I couldn't.  Once I leave his side he will get up and cry.  Yes, papa spoils him!  LOL.  At one point six months ago I probably had the opportunity to finish this whole Skymaster kit in a week and a half. Now the story is different.  My resonsibilties to my grandson is ten fold.  Some thing I would have never considered.

I don't regret any of this as when he leaves to go home, with a sore back carrying him all day I sit at the bench for an hour each evening.  Or at least that's my game plan.

I don't blame my grandson for the lack of bench time I used to have.  He's actually a blessing in disguise.  I now carefully and mentally think of my next step and a little at a time I'll assemble this or paint that.  And I now have a stash which is incredible for someone like me.  I thank my grandson for this.

He is my Christmas present from here on until forever!

Below you'll see that I got the engines started.  Due to it's 1/72 it's quite tedious at best.  I have to use the X-Acto Zirconium blade to cut out the engine parts.  Trying to do this without breaking anything is harrowing!  LOL!  But I got it under control.  Thank you forum members for the visit as well as the support you've given me!  I love you all and have a "Merry Christmas"!

Toshi

Eagle90

Man, she is looking great Toshi!  Getting close to the painting!  Going to be great!

Eagle90

 

 

Toshi

Man, she is looking great Toshi!  Getting close to the painting!  Going to be great!

Eagle90

nearsightedjohn

Thanks Toshi! The nmf is Alclad II polished aluminum sprayed over a pre-coat of master gloss black enamel thinned with mineral spirits and very well dried (like a month?). The orange, white, dark blue and grey are all Tamiya acrylics. Tamiya's super flexible thin white vinyl masking tape was invaluable in masking the black de-icing edges on the curvy rear vertical stabilizer. Highly recommend this madking tape.

John

 

Toshi

Impressive work!!!!

Thanks Toshi! The nmf is Alclad II polished aluminum sprayed over a pre-coat of master gloss black enamel thinned with mineral spirits and very well dried (like a month?). The orange, white, dark blue and grey are all Tamiya acrylics. Tamiya's super flexible thin white vinyl masking tape was invaluable in masking the black de-icing edges on the curvy rear vertical stabilizer. Highly recommend this madking tape.

John

Got some work in today.  I was able to work on the tail and as you can see the wings.  Unlike most wings of where it simply gets fitted, these wings slid onto the fueselauge via a sled type of mechanism.  Took me a minute to figure this out but all in all it worked out just fine.

In the next steps are the engines and the landing gear.  Canopy and masking are mandatory followed by some primer and the base coat.  As long as things assemble in their respective ways.  As modelers, we are always vigil for the unexpected.  LOL!

Toshi

crown r n7

Looks good 

 

Toshi

nearsightedjohn

Hi Toshi,

Nice progress so far. I built this kit about a year ago and found the assembly pretty easy. I went with the colorful four color '49 scheme (nmf, white, orange, dark blue) and must have consumed a new personal record of masking tape length! The paint hassle was worth it in my opinion - the resulting size and color combination makes it really stand out on my finished build shelf among all the olive drab.

The one big problem I encountered was bonding the extended flap struts before painting - they are incredibly exposed and vulnerable and I manage to break all six during painting/ handling. Revell sent me two replacement sets within a few weeks which saved the build for me. Might try the DC-4 version some day.

Looking forward to more of your build progress - thumbs up to you!

John

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Toshi

Hi Toshi,

Nice progress so far. I built this kit about a year ago and found the assembly pretty easy. I went with the colorful four color '49 scheme (nmf, white, orange, dark blue) and must have consumed a new personal record of masking tape length! The paint hassle was worth it in my opinion - the resulting size and color combination makes it really stand out on my finished build shelf among all the olive drab.

The one big problem I encountered was bonding the extended flap struts before painting - they are incredibly exposed and vulnerable and I manage to break all six during painting/ handling. Revell sent me two replacement sets within a few weeks which saved the build for me. Might try the DC-4 version some day.

Looking forward to more of your build progress - thumbs up to you!

John

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Looks good 

jeaton01

Toshi, if you have the patience for it get some scrap plastic and do some practice runs with the new paint, don't do that with the C-54.  You have too much time and effort in it to take that risk.  Metallic sheen paints are very much affected by the color underneath so try several different shades.  I often like a dark glossy blue.

 

Toshi

Toshi, if you have the patience for it get some scrap plastic and do some practice runs with the new paint, don't do that with the C-54.  You have too much time and effort in it to take that risk.  Metallic sheen paints are very much affected by the color underneath so try several different shades.  I often like a dark glossy blue.

Eagle90

WOW!  That kit has almost a 2 foot wingspan!?  That is a big one!  Nice engine work Toshi!

Eagle90

 

 

What I'm having issues with is the instructions.  There are so many variations to choose from it's hard to decipher.  At least for me.  LOL!  Thank you sir for the read and reply!

Toshi

To tempestjohnny,

Yes, I knew that this would be a big aircraft project.  That's why I added the ruler into the photo for scale.  I didn't even realize the size of this kit, I was much more concerned with the paint scheme when I should have paid attention to the overall build.  LOL!  

Now I have to make sure I have enough paint to cover this beast.  I'm just glad I have a new unopened bottle of silver to do this project.  Mrs. Toshi got me a bottle of Model Master Acrylic Aluminum.  Thanks for the visit!

Toshi 

WOW!  That kit has almost a 2 foot wingspan!?  That is a big one!  Nice engine work Toshi!

Eagle90

Jay Jay

Nice progress and looking good so far. You're getting closer and closer to the dreaded, scary paint job  lol

 

Still, NMF is a difficult paint scheme to do as well as the tricolor, so wish me luck.  I'll need it.  Thank you Uncle for visiting my WIP thread!

Toshi

Eagle90

Hey Toshi,  Great work!  The seams don't look too bad on that kit.  Should look awesome when you lay the paint down.  Thanks for the updates...she looks awesome!

Eagle90

 

 

After I primer the C-54, I am going to try a paint I've never used before, Model Master Acrylic Aluminum.  When it comes to metallic colors, I normally use enamels so this will be a first for me.  I hope it turns out ok.

It's my pleasure to give updates of my builds.  It is I that should be thanking you all for visiting my threads!

Toshi

ManCityFan

 

 

Toshi

 

ManCityFan

Looking good, Toshi! The white went down very well. I really like the stand/clamp that you use to hold the model while painting. Where did you get that? Dwayne

 

 

 

 

Thank you sir.  No paint went on it as of yet, it must just be the lighting.  The stand is from Tamiya.  It's a two piece stand and works great in the paint booth.  I got mines from Hobby Lobby, you can also go online or to a LHS.  Thanks for the visit and the read and reply!

 

Toshi

 

 

 

 

Sometimes I am such a dork (my friends would now respond "sometimes?").  Saw the green with the windows, then white with the windows, and thought you painted them.  Now I see what you did. 

Thanks for the info. on the spraying stand.  Found it on Megahobby.  My LHS closed, and it really was the only one.  There is a Micheal's close by, but they don't have much, so I have to do almost all of my shopping online.

 

Anyway, enjoying watching your build, and thanks again for the info.  You are a gentleman and a scholar, as my old scoutmaster used to say.

 

Dwayne

 

Yes, besides Michaels and Hobby Lobby, the closest LHS (Hobby Town USA) is forty five minutes away.  With TBI, that's a far drive for me.  I too do the majority of my shopping via online purchases.  I mostly do eBay, they always have great deals.  What's great about online (eBay) for me is that I can do it in the comfort of my home, at times get free shipping, purchase everything and anything I need, and have it delivered to my address without all the shopping hassles especially during this time of year.

You'll find that the stand has a multitude of uses.  Since owning it, I've utilized the Tamiya stand in every build, from assembly to finish.  It paid itself in dividends.  As you can see, it's seen it's best days yet continues to perform!  Thank you for this conversation, I greatly appreciate it!

Toshi

Toshi

 

ManCityFan

Looking good, Toshi! The white went down very well. I really like the stand/clamp that you use to hold the model while painting. Where did you get that? Dwayne

 

 

 

 

Thank you sir.  No paint went on it as of yet, it must just be the lighting.  The stand is from Tamiya.  It's a two piece stand and works great in the paint booth.  I got mines from Hobby Lobby, you can also go online or to a LHS.  Thanks for the visit and the read and reply!

 

Toshi

 

Sometimes I am such a dork (my friends would now respond "sometimes?").  Saw the green with the windows, then white with the windows, and thought you painted them.  Now I see what you did. 

Thanks for the info. on the spraying stand.  Found it on Megahobby.  My LHS closed, and it really was the only one.  There is a Micheal's close by, but they don't have much, so I have to do almost all of my shopping online.

Anyway, enjoying watching your build, and thanks again for the info.  You are a gentleman and a scholar, as my old scoutmaster used to say.

Dwayne

Nice progress and looking good so far. You're getting closer and closer to the dreaded, scary paint job  lol