DC-6B Maritime Patrol Aircraft concept

[McColm]

In the Chris Gibson book " Nimrod's Genesis" pages 96-99 it talks about the British making enquiries about using the Douglas DC-4/ C-54 Skymaster for very long range anti-submarine/general reconnaissance roles.This idea was thought of as far back as 1942 by the Admiralty. Prompted by Admiral J N Edelsten. The Americans would not provide them due to the attack on Pearl Harbor. A year later another request was made by the Admiralty which was turned down by the Air Staff due to work required to convert the C-54 to carry depth charges and defensive armament.
   Douglas had proposed a Rolls-Royce Tyne powered version of the popular DC-7 the DC-7D, but English Electric chose to use their in-house engine builders D. Napier and Son. Whilst the Eland-engine DC-7 would meet or exceed all the requirements of a very long range ASW/GR aircraft even been used as a troop carrier. By the 23rd December 1958 the DC-7MR proposal had been cancelled.
The DC-6 and the DC-7 were never used as ASW or GR aircraft in the maritime roles which makes a great Whiffing project.

Kit has advised me that there was a 1/96 Novo DC-7 model, but are extremely rare. The alternatives are either the 1/144 DC-7 or the Heller DC-6B 1/72.
I have used the Heller kit in the past with parts from the EC-121 Warning Star and even had a go at using it as a donor aircraft for the ATL Carvair.
The 1/72 Heller DC-6B Super Cloud could have the fuselage stretched and use the wings from the DC-4//C-54 although not a straight forward conversion to make the DC-7. An interesting one. The cockpit interior is simple although with the glazing in place not a lot of detail can be seen. The dipping radome from the Avro Shackleton kit or the proposed layouts on pages 132-133 of the Vanguard Maritime or the Vanguard 350 with a pair of jet engines on underwing pylons either the inner or outter engines, again using a pair of RR Tynes. Or the Indian proposal on page 131.

[McColm]

I'll be using the 1/72 Heller DC-6B Super CloudmasterII for this build. Comes in a white moulded plastic with silver coloured landing gear and engine cowlings/ propellers. A raid in spares bin for the maritime parts off the Br1150, Nimrod , Orion and Shackleton.
Copying the Lockheed P-3C Orion layout with no defensive guns on this build.

[PR19_Kit]

Making a DC-7, or a -7C, out of a DC-6 isn't easy. Not only do you need new engines and a fuselage extension but the wings need extensions INBOARD of the engines IIRC.

I looked at doing it a very long time ago and concluded that the work was too much for me back then. It probably is now too! 

[McColm]

What about a kitbash using the wings from a Lockheed Constellation cut after the outer engines and the rest of the wing made from the DC-6. Could go even further and add the wings  off the Lockheed P-3 Orionnot a DC-7 but a Whatif alternative if the Electra hadn't been chosen.
Until the kit arrives won't be sure if the fuselage can be cut fore and aft of the wing box section to be mounted shoulder high. If so the wings from the Airfix Short Stirling could be used as the undercarriage is very tall. Engines would need replacing.
Might even have a look at the Airfix B-29 wings. The Airfix HS Nimrod wings don't fit so an all jet version could work with pods.
Just have to see what fits.

[kitnut617]

In 1/72 scale there's the Formaplane vacuform of the DC-7, which was redone by Aircraft in Miniature. There is also a J&L one in 1/72.

To complete the list;

Allyn 1/144, Authentic Aircraft scale unknown; Co-Ma 1/158; Dubena 1/230; Frog 1/96 (reboxed by Martinair, Tri-Ang/France; Tri-ang/NZ); Inventive Concepts 1/519; Revell 1/122 (reboxed by Marusan); Lincoln 1/150 (reboxed by Int Modeling [I had a couple of these  a while ago but sold them on]); Welsh Models 1/144.

[McColm]

Thanks for the info.

[Captain Canada]

I've got the Heller one I was going to turn into a North Star, or a RCN example. I guess the new Revell one can do that and the other one will stay on the shelf in the styrene cave.

[PR19_Kit]

In 1/72 scale there's the Formaplane vacuform of the DC-7, which was redone by Aircraft in Miniature. There is also a J&L one in 1/72.

Are they DC-7s or DC-7Cs Robert? The -7C had 10 ft added to the span apparently, I knew it was bigger, but not that much!

[McColm]

A company called PCM do an all resin 1/72 DC-7 website pcmmodels.com
Revell do/did a 1/122 DC-7C
Aircraft in Miniature 1/72 DC-7C/F HW04-001
1/72 Vacform by J + L DC-7C Seven Seas
And Hyperscale did a 1/72 DC-7C conversion using the Heller kit

[kitnut617]

In 1/72 scale there's the Formaplane vacuform of the DC-7, which was redone by Aircraft in Miniature. There is also a J&L one in 1/72.

Are they DC-7s or DC-7Cs Robert? The -7C had 10 ft added to the span apparently, I knew it was bigger, but not that much!

I got it wrong, Aircraft in Miniature got the Contrail moulds, not the Formaplane ones.  Anyway, to answer your question Kit, the AiM one is a DC-7C/F, the Formaplane one was the J&L one which were purchased by MHW who then called his line Formaplane, and is also a DC-7C

[PR19_Kit]

Thanks Robert, it's probably easier to convert a -7C/F into a straight -7 than doing it the other way round.

[Thorvic]

Just keep it simple 

The Thread says DC-6B MPA, so just modify an off the Shelf DC-6 kit with the features of a late 50's/60's MPA, Mad Boom, Sonar buoy's, fill in most of the windows, add a Bomb bay and paint & decal accordingly - simples 

[Captain Canada]

Good call Geoff. Adding a bomb bay or two would be the fun part !

[McColm]

 
That's where the Whiffing starts. Do you go with the Air Ministry layout ; fore and aft bomb bays with chute for the internal storage of sonobuoys or the American/ European layout. Forward bomb bay and fixed sonobuoy launchers as in the Lockheed P-3 Orion or Br1150 Atlantic multi-launchers.
I've got both kits in the stash, my preference is the Orion as I intend to use the remaining parts of the fuselage as a bomber with fore and aft weapons bays, with heavy guns.