About the
Model:
The kit was
basically built out of the box with some of the modifications being the numerous
aerials on the roof of the aircraft and the two front lights in the nose. I
cut the floor into two pieces so that the windows could be inserted after
painting, (Thanks to Derrick Davis for the great idea.) On top of the
aircraft I used Humbrol numbers 26 and 30 in varying shades of both.
Underneath I used Humbrol number 144. I
applied weathering around the engines and underneath the aircraft by brushing
dry pastel powder lightly on the required areas. I used decals from a 1:72
Springbok castle set. The aircrafts serial number is missing, it's supposed
to be between the castle on the fuselage and the elevators. I am still
hunting for the numbers in 18in. format. The model represents Dakota
6832, well known for it's involvement in the retrieval of a coelacanth from the
Camore Islands.
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Most
of the pieces fit very well with only a slight gap between the wings and the
fuselage which was easily filled. The kit instructions are well laid
out and are easy to follow.
History:
The
Douglas DC-3 was first flown as a commercial short-haul airliner on 17 December
1935. The first military version,
the C-47, was delivered on 1st February 1942. It is powered by two
1200hp. Pratt and Whitney Wasp radial engines giving a maximum speed of 396km/h.
at 2286m. Over 10500 examples of this remarkable workhorse were built. The South
African Air Force employed the radial Dakota in short-haul transportation of
troops, paratroopers, passengers and freight. They were also used for casualty
evacuation, training of pupil navigators and converting pilots to multi-engine
aircraft. The SA Air force later modified a large percentage of their C-47’s which are
now equipped with two lightweight Pratt and Whitney PT-6A turbines. For
more information on this aircraft please visit the South African Air Force
Museum website at:
http://www.saafmuseum.org.za/dakota.htm
Today
the aircraft is undergoing restoration at Ysterplaat Air Force Base, and will
hopefully one day return to the air.
Neil
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