SPA Modeler

Part two of C-130/C-47 "in flight" dio! Using Italeri's 1/72 offering. First time I've done a C-47 in this scale. I've done 4 in 1/48. Three Monogram's and one Trumpeter.



So far while looking through the kit it looks decent. I primed everything on the sprues after getting rid of some injector pin marks on the inside of the fuselage halves. Seems the only place I really have to deal with those, which is good.

Next order of business was to see about the landing gear. You don't get a gear up option, so I had to modify some stuff. Here's what I had to work with, now the main gear legs attached to the tire have a hinge pretty much right in the middle.



I split it at the hinge with a hobby knife.



I was hoping to use all the parts, and just have them folded up in the wheel well like they would be on the real thing. But there isn't enough room, and rather than spend a bunch of time mucking with it, and trying to make things fit, I just opted to discard the upper piece that I cut off. You won't see it anyway. I had to trim the main leg a little bit to get it to fit in the well. It should fold up in there nicely, and you don't really see any of the gear sticking out, just the wheel. But the tire was hitting inside the well.



So I broke out the file, and got rid of some of the material so the tire had room to fit up in there, and everything sits flush.





So I think this will work for what I'm trying to do. If I really wanted to spend the time I could cut out the wheel well from inside, and scratch make a new one, so all the parts would fit in there the way they should, but you won't see any of it once it's finished anyway. I don't see the point in taking the time on it. Maybe if I was going for a super accurate version, but I would do that in 1/48 where more detail can be put in.

It’s an obsession with you, isn’t it? W7 that is.

I like to use the word enamored. Lol. But yes. I can guarantee I own more W7 stuff than anyone else, I am not the only one with a tattoo though, there is another women out there with one, but I have two.

An explanation for people to understand it a little better. I became quite the fan after taking a flight in her in July of 2018, and I built the 1st Mini W7 that winter. The museums A&P mechanic followed along with the posts on a Facebook page, and told me I should volunteer. I knew nothing about planes, and thought well maybe one day I'll make it out there and hopefully not make a fool of myself. Less than a week later my Mom passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61. I lost my Dad a year and five months earlier at 62, again unexpectedly. I found him in his chair after just being there the night before and he was fine. I took care of both my parents(separately, they had been divorced for several years) neither of them drove anymore. So after taking care of the immediate dealings with losing my Mom, about a month later I needed a distraction. At first there is a lot going on, and a lot of people around you, but that all disappears rather quickly. So I went out to the museum on their Saturday work days, and met the hardcore, works through winter crew. Craig(our A&P who first invited me out)gave me a big hug and was happy I came out. He didn't hesitate to get me in there working on Whiskey right away. I've been accepted into the hangar with open arms, quirks and all. I'm one of the 6 people Craig said he trusts completely with working on Whiskey, I run their Facebook page, I've learned Whiskey's history, and I'm her official historian, and one of her Cabin Safety officers on ride flights. She represents everything at the museum that I love. Going there was a way to get out of my own head when I needed it most. Sorry for the book, but I often get asked why I care about her so much, and when I tell people they have a bit better of an understanding.

Losing parents is tough. Knowing a bit more of the backstory is quite interesting. If I was up there, I’d be there in the proverbial heartbeat! The DC-3/C-47 is probably my favorite aircraft. Such a classic.

Nerves worry about sharing long stories. Here, they are welcome, read and respected!

Enamoured.... I’d say that’s all Whiskey Seven porn to me.

Hopefully some point next summer I want to head out to Geneseo to see her in person. We’ll have to meet up.

LyleW wrote: ↑Thu Nov 10, 2022 3:03 pm Losing parents is tough. Knowing a bit more of the backstory is quite interesting. If I was up there, I’d be there in the proverbial heartbeat! The DC-3/C-47 is probably my favorite aircraft. Such a classic.

Nerves worry about sharing long stories. Here, they are welcome, read and respected!

It was a very tough time. Losing Dad was rough, Mom was devastating. I was just getting used to Dad being gone, learning to cope with it, and got another punch to the gut. Broke my heart all over again. I figured you needed to know something about planes to volunteer there, but you don't. I do at least know cars. I wrench on my own car, truck, and bikes. I am mechanically inclined, so that helped. I didn't want to make an ass out of my self either, lol. But Craig is the best teacher. He's very patient, and he will take the time to show you or explain how things work, and he'll answer any questions you have. He's a great guy, like a father figure to me. He has said to me before, "no wonder I like you so much, you remind me of my daughter."

Blacksheep, I am there most of the time during the summer. Check with me first when you figure out a day, and I'll let you know if Whiskey has an away event or not at the time. She had a pretty busy schedule this year, and I think they are shooting for the same next year. I'll know more after ICAS next month.

That sounds like a good plan. Definitely will let you know. Do you know when the Geneseo air show is? Is it usually in mid-June?

Keyda, I understand the loss of parents angle. My mom passed 11 years ago, and my dad passed 6 years ago, both in their early 80’s, and also long divorced. And it sounds like you had a healthy place to focus your attention upon. Thank you for the back story.

Keyda, this was so wonderful to read this reason for your love for Whiskey 7. Wow, that is amazing. My condolences on the loss of your parents. I'm glad Craig was there to see you through your down time.

The backstory makes everything about your W7 "enamouring" seem like you're finding this group of friends was at the perfect time.