CTA Entry: Ben, DC-4 United Mainliner

[Ben]

I was thinking not to enter this until my Spitfire was completed. But, I like this DC-4 kit and felt like starting it today. So, since I donated twice to this great cause anyway, here it goes. Not sure if there's anything wrong with having 2 kits on the go in the same campaign.

The Kit:

The Dated Proof:

What I Did Today: Painted the fuselage interior walls night black. In 1/144 scale there's no detail, so if you plan on a clear windscreen, its a good idea to blackout the interior. The instruction called for 3/4oz nose weight; I just put in 2 x 1/4oz lead weights, which adds up to 3/4oz in hillbilly country. It makes the fuse feel heavy. Then I joined the interior halves.

In this photo, the fuse halves are joined. The rest is just trial fitted to see where the problems will be. I like this kit, and give Minicraft a big thumbs-up.

 

[jknaus]

No problem at all. Which livery were you thinking of doing this in?
James

 

[moon puppy]

You can have as many as you wish, the completed builds are what counts.

Looking forward to this. I got an old prop transport in the stash, just waiting to get inspired.

 

[Ben]

the completed builds are what counts.

bbbzzzzzzzittt. You are wrong. It's the donation that counts. Make it, even if you are dirt bag poor like me.

James, I think I'm going to do it OOB, just cause I have some fancy new Aeroclad laqueur to try out.

 

[moon puppy]

the completed builds are what counts.

bbbzzzzzzzittt. You are wrong. It's the donation that counts. Make it, even if you are dirt bag poor like me.

Right you are! :drinks :dude

 

[Sherman 18]

 

[Ben]

Well, this is going really, really slooowww.

I did manage to get the engine faces underway. In this small 1/144 scale, they need only get a wash and they'll be done.

I've attached and masked the cabin roof and masked the parts to be left clear. When masking clear parts, I always wind-up with scratches that will need fixed.

I'm going to start glueing things together, and then its fill-n-sand time. Oh, Yippee!

 

[moon puppy]

You'll have it cleaned up I'm sure. Looking forward to this.

 

[randy_ditton]

Hi Ben, Now this is something a little different Progress looks good, how is the plastic in this kit? I've heard that Minicraft is sometimes brittle.


Randy

 

[Ben]

how is the plastic in this kit? I've heard that Minicraft is sometimes brittle.

Hi Randy. Yeah, I have a Minicraft B-377 that seems fairly brittle. This kit is the opposite, rather soft. I accidently pushed my sharp tweezer through an engine face trying to position, and formed a small hole rather than a break.

Mincraft kits can certainly have issues. I like them anyway. They have a wonderful 1/144 selection. :drinks

 

[Phil]

Slow is good - less mistakes and builder error!

keep her going!

and um - don't mention sanding!!!!

 

[Ben]

Little by little, she's coming together. The engine faces are in and the cowlings mounted.

I chose to replace the cheap plastic prop shafts with .9mm brass tube (thanks Albion). For 1/144, the props are really very nice.

I do have to get a better system set up for taking photos. Right now, I'm a slave to the natural light, which in turn is enslaved by the weather.

 

[Phil]

Good call on the brass replacements

 

[Tankbuilder]

Slow is good - less mistakes and builder error!

keep her going!

and um - don't mention sanding!!!!

There is a very old ocean kayaking adage that is very appropriate for model building. That adage is, "Make haste SLOWLY".

This model is looking good.

Cheers

 

[Tankbuilder]

Today I bought a 48" long 2 tubes (parallel) florescent light fixture and bought two daylight type tubes for it. I'm hoping that this will give me a lot more light in my 16' x 16' room and that the light will be close to daylight.

The fixture was $27.99 Canadian and the tubes were $8.99 Canadian a pair at The Great HOme Store.

Cheers

 

[Ben]

The elbow grease deptartment seems to be lacking, or slacking. I thought I had given this bird a real good sanding and polishing with decreasing paper grains and the softest polishing pads. All it takes is a little primer to prove otherwise.

She's going to be Alclad NMF, so it is going to take a good deal more work to prepare. I've used Gloss Black Krylon as the base for the Alclad. This after seeing a master modeller doing it to his efforts with outstanding results.

Its back to work for me. Filling, sanding, and polishing.

 

[jknaus]

Very cool. Bit of sanding and the cops will never know it was you :pp
James

 

[randy_ditton]

Hi Ben, The progress is looking good!!! This will look awesome all shiny

Randy

 

[Phil]

Sterling work Ben, an another adage - any haste is waste - take your time bud ! :dude

 

[moon puppy]

The elbow grease deptartment seems to be lacking, or slacking. I thought I had given this bird a real good sanding and polishing with decreasing paper grains and the softest polishing pads. All it takes is a little primer to prove otherwise.

She's going to be Alclad NMF, so it is going to take a good deal more work to prepare. I've used Gloss Black Krylon as the base for the Alclad. This after seeing a master modeller doing it to his efforts with outstanding results.

Its back to work for me. Filling, sanding, and polishing.

OK Ben, had a month, got 4 days now. You gonna make it?