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smokeriderdon
Donald Dickson II (smokeriderdon)
US

C-54D Skymaster

Kommentarer

11 10 January 2016, 08:27
Thomas Bischoff
the first prictures look promising! Seems to be a very nice kit.
10 January 2016, 09:09
Łukasz Gliński
Interesting topic - watching
10 January 2016, 11:47
Donald Dickson II
It is a marvelous kit. I hope I do it justice.
10 January 2016, 17:37
Gordon Sørensen
Nice start! I opened my box and looked at all those sprues and put the lid back on!
10 January 2016, 21:12
Donald Dickson II
LOL Thats pretty much what I did with the 1/48 Tornado IDS kit.
11 January 2016, 09:54
Donald Dickson II
This kit is going together quite nicely so far.
14 January 2016, 00:30
Richard Chamberlain
nice, i am working on a 1/144 scale , but flying tigers
14 January 2016, 00:31
Donald Dickson II
Richard, just saw your post on that. Good luck sir! 🙂

James, thank you!
14 January 2016, 00:41
Clifford Keesler
Looking very nice.
14 January 2016, 03:44
Donald Dickson II
OK, so I got the resin flour bags. I got some help in shrinking down the pic of the single flour bag in a manner my printer could print it clearly. I printed it on plain paper. The original bags were heavy duty paper with labels applied, so I wanted that effect. I cut each one out and used Elmers to attach them. Then I hosed them down with dull coat.

I wet down the cargo floor and threw flour on it. Hosed THAT down with dull coat. And realized while cropping the pics that I need to dirty up the bulk head to the crew areas to match the fuselage walls.
23 January 2016, 02:44
Choppa Nutta
Hey this is looking good ! Loving the cargo area, very novel 🙂
is this going to be in a diorama ?
23 January 2016, 03:06
Donald Dickson II
Maybe at some point down the road. I have a diorama idea for my 1/72 C-130 that will take up a chunk of space. Once I move to Fla and have a place of my own, perhaps I will be able to have this one in a diorama as well.
23 January 2016, 03:31
Clifford Keesler
Looking very nice.
23 January 2016, 19:14
Donald Dickson II
So made a good bit of progress. I discovered that this kit is very much dependent on each sub assembly being spot on. The gap issues on the fuselage are, I believe, my own fault. Not being dilligent enough with my assemblies.
25 January 2016, 04:19
Soeren R.
Awesome work so far!
25 January 2016, 09:57
Donald Dickson II
So, while putting the cowlings on, I managed to lose the front half to one of the engines. After over a week of searching, I finally found it under my compressor. So I put the final cowling on and set the model aside. It is a great kit, but I managed to screw something up somewhere along the line just enough to make it REALLY difficult to join the fuselage halves together. I ended up with way too much gap. I know when I get frustrated like this I need to stop that project and work on a different one for a bit. So I am doing a fairly quick build of a circa 1957 Revell KC-135. Then I will get back to this one.
4 February 2016, 06:36
Denis Kuleshov
Looking great - watching.
4 February 2016, 07:27
Choppa Nutta
"So I am doing a fairly quick build of a circa 1957 Revell KC-135"

is this so you can practice fit issues and big gaps ?😉 😄
4 February 2016, 07:57
Donald Dickson II
LOL Choppa, believe it or not, there were not and major fit issues. The gaps were minor. Granted, they are at every flipping join. But minor. It's a very cool little model.
5 February 2016, 00:49
Choppa Nutta
Yeah I'm just starting a minor build as well just because my eyes need a break from the fiddly stuff 🙂
Anyhow, I'll take a look when you get going with your minor build 🙂
5 February 2016, 01:20
Bryce Nicely
I've been looking forward to this kit for a while now. It's nice seeing one mostly built up. Even with the little problems you've mentioned, you still have a good build going on there.
5 February 2016, 01:25
Richard Chamberlain
nice build, makes me want to build the bigger scale model.
5 February 2016, 01:38
Donald Dickson II
Choppa, I have the album up sir. 🙂

Thank you Bryce. The "problems" really arent that big a deal. For some reason though, it just really irked me.
5 February 2016, 08:04
Clifford Keesler
It is looking awesome.
5 February 2016, 17:41
Choppa Nutta
link please !! 😄
5 February 2016, 19:09
Donald Dickson II
Duh. Thats to the project. This is to the album. KC-135 | Album by smokeriderdon (1:139)
6 February 2016, 03:58
Donald Dickson II
OK. I worked on the seams. I primed. I worked on the seams some more. I STILL couldnt fix up the dorsal fuselage seam 100%. I have the ^%##^%#%&^^(*(^*& worse time with that, even after all these years.

Anyway, this was my first time using Alclad. I rather like it. Gotta use it a few more times to really gewt the hang of it I think. But Happy with the results. I will be doing the flaps and stuff in metalizer to provide differing metal tones. Not sure if I will try to do the same on the fuselage or not.
14 February 2016, 07:39
Clifford Keesler
It is looking nice to me.
14 February 2016, 17:52
Choppa Nutta
Shaping up nicely, looks metallic to me, good base for some oil washes and what not 🙂
14 February 2016, 18:27
Donald Dickson II
Thank you guys. 🙂

I usually do pastel instead of oil. Only tried that once. Have to practice that on a different build. Not gonna screw this one up more. LOL
14 February 2016, 22:02
Choppa Nutta
good for the pin washes and less likely to ruin it 🙂
But if you got a plan don't let me derail you 😄
14 February 2016, 22:11
Donald Dickson II
Choppa, there is no way I would not pay serious attention to any advice you gave. I dont have a solid plan on the weathering because I cant find any flipping color pics to give me a good idea of how the planes looked. Obviously, everything I can find is B&W and not helpful there.
15 February 2016, 20:05
Choppa Nutta
Similar planes with similar colour schemes will yield similar weathering patterns,
... usually, especially in similar mission conditions 🙂

as long it looks close enough the artistic impression will still be a good one 🙂
15 February 2016, 20:33
Donald Dickson II
Good point sir!
15 February 2016, 23:57
Donald Dickson II
OK, getting there. I need to do some work on that nose cone area, put on landing gear doors and antennae and stuff and props then weather and decal.

I did order a couple sets of metal gears for this kit (I fully plan on doing another). I have broken of one main wheel already. Got it glued back on, but I doubt it will hold for a long time. I am going to try swapping them out.
17 March 2016, 07:23
Bryn Crandell
Looking good. I am looking forward to building this kit. Been debating about buying all of the Eduard PE for it. Not sure since most of it will be hidden once you close up the fuselage.
17 March 2016, 11:33
Donald Dickson II
Precisely why I didn't get anything for the interior. As it is, the work I did in the cargo compartment is hardly visible.
17 March 2016, 20:58
Donald Dickson II
Home stretch now. The decals are MAGNIFICENT! Thin and strong. Easily maneuvered and settle in nicely with a single application of micro sol. The sheet says printed in Italy but no company name. Given the quality, I would lay money they are Cartograph without their name on them. Finish up tonight tomorrow.
27 March 2016, 04:57
Thomas Bischoff
great work! I am curious to see the final pictures.
27 March 2016, 07:56
Donald Dickson II
Thomas, hopefully this evening. 🙂

I got all the decals done. I lost track of time. It is 530 AM. I am going to go pass out now.
27 March 2016, 09:34
Choppa Nutta
Good work sir!. 🙂
27 March 2016, 12:46
Donald Dickson II
Thank you! I plan on wrapping her up this evening.
27 March 2016, 18:32
Donald Dickson II
DONE! Yep, calling her finished. LOL Except for the few things I noticed while processing the pics. OK, so it took me one more day than I thought For the sake of display at meetings and the like, I did not secure the canopy. Thats why it looks so out of whack. I did a good job on the flight deck damn it! I want to be able to show at least some of it off.

If you have this kit in que. BUILD IT! It has a few issues, but nothing terrible. Just be sure to build each section carefully. If you have one thing off, it will jack it up further down the line. Also, I HIGHLY suggest you get the SAC metal landing gear set. The kits fron gear is very flexible. The main gear are OK, but with the amount of weight you have to put in it to keep it from tail sitting, I dont think they could handle it. I broke one tire off just setting it down. I was able to retro the metal set into it.

I have another one already and plan on getting the Cartograff decal set and doing a different version. This will be a ways down the line though. On to the Revel 1/32 Tornado ECR!
29 March 2016, 07:56
Glenn
Nice Work! I like the payload. I wonder if any of these C-54 or DC-4's ended their life carrying other kinds of "white powder" from country to country! I'm guessing some did! 🙂
29 March 2016, 12:27
Clifford Keesler
Excellent job.
29 March 2016, 22:26
Donald Dickson II
Glen, I wouldnt be surprised. LOL I just found it very interesting that the planes that carried only flour or coal ONLY carried those due to the dust. What I find more interesting is that none of them blew up. Coal and flour dust both are very explosive when suspended in air. I saw the results of a corn silo explosion once. I imagine the silo looked like the fuselage would. And thank you!

Cliff, thank you sir! 🙂
30 March 2016, 02:11
Michael T
Nice has always sir !! never built this kit but it looks like a fun build.
30 March 2016, 02:48
Choppa Nutta
Looks good Don, nice result and nice scheme too, like it 🙂
like the way you've done different tones on different panels
30 March 2016, 03:02
Donald Dickson II
Michael. If it interests you at all, spend the 50 bucks for.it! It is well worth it! And thank you. 🙂

Choppa, thank you as well sir! I took your advice and just looked at any C-54 or DC-4s and went with that. I presumed that because of the schedule during the air lift that they were solely concerned with the planes mechanics and not if it was clean or not.
30 March 2016, 14:04
Choppa Nutta
you need some photos of it in proper sunshine😉
30 March 2016, 14:31
Donald Dickson II
I will try to do that sir. 🙂
30 March 2016, 17:47
Donald Dickson II
Alrighty Choppa. Got some pics between storm fronts for ya.
2 April 2016, 04:09
Germen V
very nice, i'm still deciding if i would buy it to make a civil one
2 April 2016, 07:25
Choppa Nutta
Looks better in day light ! 🙂
wouldn't you agree Don ? 😄
2 April 2016, 07:47
Donald Dickson II
Germen, Caracal just came out with more decals for it. I think there might be a civilian set in there.

Choppa, natural sunlight is the best no matter what. Yes, I agree, it looks even better when photographed outside.😉
2 April 2016, 14:37
Stephan Ryll
Very nice build and finish 👍
3 April 2016, 07:38
Eelco Gregoire
He looks very nice!
3 April 2016, 08:44
Donald Dickson II
Thank you gentlemen. 🙂
3 April 2016, 10:32
Ekki
Excellent work.
9 April 2016, 18:25
Choppa Nutta
set your teaser pic to the last one, best of the bunch photo ! 👍 😄
(set teaser in edit album)
9 April 2016, 18:34
Donald Dickson II
Done and done!

I took it to the IPMS meeting on Wed. Everyone raved about it. It placed second. You can see why in the pics. SMH
10 April 2016, 02:42
Choppa Nutta
Well done dude ! 🙂
10 April 2016, 03:24
Richard Chamberlain
nicely done..
10 April 2016, 14:38
Clifford Keesler
Well done Sir, very nice indeed.
10 April 2016, 23:30
Donald Dickson II
Thank you, thank you, thank you! 🙂
11 April 2016, 05:26
Gordon Sørensen
An excellent NMF Donald! Looks great!
11 April 2016, 21:18
David Thor
Excellent Rosinenbomber! Beautiful metal finish.
10 September 2017, 14:35
Donald Dickson II
Thank you sir! This is truly one of my favorite kits in the last several years.
10 September 2017, 16:20
David Thor
Does the kit provide an option for the take-off cockpit or did you cut it up? Really a nice idea, sometimes it`s sad when all the work that goes into a cockpit gets burried under a canopy.
10 September 2017, 17:38
Donald Dickson II
That is the piece as provided. I simply didn't glue it on. I couldn't bring myself to hide my work.
10 September 2017, 22:03
Martin Oostrom
Great build Donald. I've been wanting one of these ever since I laid my eyes on the box. It's just too big to fit in my cabinet.
Did you ever found out what the wheel thingies are for? I think they might be trim wheels.
11 December 2018, 12:46
Daniel Klink
Lovely 👍
11 December 2018, 13:20
Bryn Crandell
Looks fantastic. Nice touch with cockpit reveal.
11 December 2018, 14:23
Augie
Nice don Nice!
11 December 2018, 18:10
Cuajete
Very nice, Donald. Congrats for the prize!
11 December 2018, 18:31
Michael Hickey
You did an extremely nice job with this one Donald.👍
11 December 2018, 22:31
Donald Dickson II
Martin, thank you! I have 3 more in the stash now. 😄 They cleared them out at Hobby Lobby here in the states and I got them for a LOT less than retail. Depending on how deep your cabinet is, it can fit. I have it one of mine. The foot print on the cabinet is 30" wide and 16" deep.

And its been a while since I did this, so I am totally brain cramping here... Wheel thingies???
Bob, Daniel, Bryn, Augie, Cuajete and Michael, thank you all! 🙂
11 December 2018, 23:21
Donald Dickson II
Ooooooohhhhhhh, Wait, I got it!!!! LOL The wheel thingies in the cock pit. There is one on top and one to each side of the center. I know they got turned for SOMETHING, just not sure what. I will have to see if they are indeed for trim.
11 December 2018, 23:23
Augie
IF they are the ones I think they are, they are indeed trim (Horiz stab etc)
11 December 2018, 23:54
Donald Dickson II
Yep! Thats what they are. Just looked them up. Thanks guys!
12 December 2018, 00:16
Greg Baker
Your cabinet pics made me track this baby down for a closer look. Wow... nice work
17 January 2019, 04:44
Donald Dickson II
Greg, thank you sir! This is one of my favorites. I enjoyed the build, learned a lot, and I love how it turned out. 🙂
17 January 2019, 04:55
Greg Baker
I suddenly started rifling through the Tintin albums to see if he ever flew in a DC-4...😉
17 January 2019, 05:07
Clifford Keesler
Nice one Donald. My local Hobby Lobby never had any of those. They seem to only stock mainly 1/72 Acadmey stuff with the random Revell F-102A or F-18 thrown in. Though I did find the Revell Pro Modler ME-410 in the clearance isle once. I got both of my F-102's there though.
17 January 2019, 22:02
Donald Dickson II
I do have one extra if either of you gents get interested.
17 January 2019, 22:31
Clifford Keesler
Thanks Donald. I will try and remember that, if I get to where I can get one. Right now my Suv takes precedence(new tires and battery.) Bloody tires cost 2000.00 dollars apiece.
17 January 2019, 22:52
Charlie Spitfire
wow it looks sooooooooo gooooood
7 February 2022, 06:43
Clifford Keesler
It turned out excellent Donald.
8 February 2022, 02:36

Album info

A beautiful new tool kit from Revell. This baby looks exquisite.

63 bilder
1:72
Avslutad
1:72 C-54D Skymaster (Revell 04877)
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
US US Air Force (1947-now)
317227/400
1948 Berlin Airlift - Wiesbaden AB DE
 

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