DC 3 Dakota

[richard armstrong]

thanks dave

i will see you at Elvington

as far as the tail being cut off at f10 that will happen nd the H-S will be removable, as well, the fin will be static and not removable, i only have a 406 saloon but look to change to ford galaxy 1.9 130bhp, i also have my caravan to tow to events,

as for the engines the dle 35cc will be great the evo 40cc will be a tad over the top

anyway see you all at Elvington

[David Jones]

The model has flown and completed the six proving flights at Elvington (many thanks to Dave Johnson). It flew straight off the board with only the tinyest ammount of down trim needed on the elevator. Due to computer problems at my end, I have as yet to receive the numerous photos that were taken, as soon as I receive them I will post them on the thread. The next job now will be to strip the engines and U/C out and start the finishing process which will be one of my winter projects. Big smiles all round was the order of the day. Dave Jones.

[David Jones]

As promised, I've received some photo's of the maiden flight at Elvington and here are just a couple for your perusal. I hope you will excuse the use of masking tape, it was used to hold the nose section and access door in situ for the flights prior to final fixing.

[David Jones]

Since the maiden flights the engines and undercarriage have been stripped out ready for the detailing and finishing process. I've added air intakes on top of the cowls which gives the model a bit more character. There's plenty to do over the coming weeks/months and I'll update the build thread as we progress. Jonesey.

[David Jones]

It's been a while since my last update as, due to unforseen circumstances, progress on finishing the model has been delayed. I have mentioned in previous updates that, even though I had bought a cockpit kit and two pilots, I was undecided if I would fit them or not. Once the windows had been cut out in the glass fibre nose section, the decision was made for me, I had to do them.

I started by assembling the pilots. Due to the height of the cockpit floor I had to cut the lower part of the legs off, but they look okay. I've posed them differently and made the skipper look rather smart and dashing, with a thin moustache and steely gaze. The co pilot looks as though he's overslept and didn't have time for a shave, I didn't want a pair of identical twins in there.

[David Jones]

Next job was to sort out the cockpit interior. The parts were cut out and my mate, Mike Whitehead, air brushed them for me prior to assembly. The instrument dials provided were in black and white and looked a bit naff, so Mike scanned some instruments and superimposed them onto a backing sheet. I think you'll agree the final result is great.

I believe the cockpit kit was made for the Ziroli DC3 but, due to the floor height (not low enough) and the length between the formers (not long enough), alterations had to be made. The seats are supposed to stand on legs but these had to go, and there should be a floor to ceiling oil tank behind the co pilot, this also had to go. Rudder pedals and other bits below the instrument panel are also included but, due to the floor height, these had to be omitted as well.

[David Jones]

The green lining for the rear wall and both sides was fitted first, followed by the floor. The seats and pilots were then added, along with the control columns. Finaly the instrument panel was fitted along with the top cover and control quadrant. I'm quite pleased with the results, epsecially as this is my first attempt at a properly detailed cockpit. I've yet to get it out into critical daylight to see if it needs some interior lighting, that's a job for when the rain stops.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Hes a guddun our jonesy isnt he? that looks great Dave, the important bits can be seen, the rest wont matter, dont forget the curtain in the cockpit doorway,

[David Jones]

We've decided that interior lighting for the cockpit is needed, so it was a quick trip to Maplin's for some bits. I bought a strip of 12volt led lights which you can buy "off the roll" cheap as chips, and a small switch. The lights were glued onto the cockpit ceiling immediately behind the pilots, just in front of the bulkhead, and the switch just fits nicely in the control panel on the left hand side. They will be wired up to a small 12v gel battery, which will also power the landing lights. The idea is that the cockpit will be "illuminated" when the model is on static display.

The glazing has been fitted and the nose section will be glued on this weekend. The model can then be handed over to Alan for final prep prior to panel lines and rivet detail being added. While he's doing that, I'll be cracking on with his B25. We should start to make better progress shortly as the finishing process has been held up due to Alan building a new workshop, once thats up and running there will be no stopping him.

[paul smith]

oh wow that is amazing work, well done, i really admire your work, have you lit it yet??

[David Jones]

Hi Paul, yes, the last photos were taken with the led's illuminated. If you scroll back to my previous entry you'll see the difference between lit and unlit. The nose section is now glued on and the complete fuse is at Alan's for final prep work. Jonesey.

[Bob Johnstone]

This is becoming a wow factor which I am enjoying. With luck I shall see it much closer up during the 2014 season.

[Mike Booth]

Brilliant pilots .

[David Jones]

Thanks guys, if all goes to plan the finished model's first "public" outing will be at East Kirkby.

[David Jones]

I've made a start on detailing the model now that it is all primed, filled and rubbed down. I've never done this sort of thing before, always thought it was too fiddley and time consuming but, having taken some advice (thanks Phil at Fighteraces), and had ago at it, I'm totaly hooked. I started off by drawing the panel lines on in fine pencil and then measured off every 1/4" for each rivet (I didn't want to chance my luck at getting them evenly spaced on my first attempt). There will be a line of rivets along both sides of the panel lines.

1/64" panel line tape was then stuck on and sprayed over with primer. Once dry, the primer was lightly rubbed back and the tape removed, leaving a very fine channel. The rivets (white PVA glue) were then added, using a small applicator bottle and fine nozzle. They don't stand out much at the moment but I'm sure they will be clearly visible when the final colour is added. So far I've done the tailplanes, the wing panels, centre section and cowls. There are 936 rivets on each tailplane half, so there's going to be a fair few on the model by the time I'm finished.

It's taken me more time to mark out where the rivets go than it has to actually apply them. I've found that once you get into a rhythm the process is quite theraputic and a good "stress buster". I've attached a couple of photos of my progress so far, next up will be the fuselage, which I'm hoping to have done by the end of the week.

[Ken Bones]

Isn't the DC 3 flush riveted?
Bonzey

[David Jones]

The DC 3 well may have been flush riveted, but the photo's I've got of the C47 show dome rivets. I'm told dome rivets are quicker to fit and that's why so many C 47's were produced quick sticks. I'm finishing the model in D Day invasion colours so it will be in the guise of a C47 Skytrain. Apart from that, I've never done rivet detail before, so I thought I'd start off with the easier ones. It's not cheating really, I like to call it "artistic licence". Jonesey.

[paul smith]

Absolutely great stuff!! :0)

[Mike Booth]

Superb model making in the true sense.
Will it be in D Day markings David for the Anniversary?

[David Jones]

Absolutely Mike, we're painting her in the colours of L4 from "Band of Brothers", my all time favourite war series. She'l be drab olive green on top, light grey underneath with invasion stripes and stars n' bars. I'm hoping to get some colour on her later this month. Jonesey.