1/72 Douglas DC-3 Trimotor (in memory of Brian Da Basher)

[Spey_Phantom]

this idea struck me early last night and i thought it would be a perfect entry for the groupbuild on BTS, in memory of Brian Da Basher.
i have a spare 1/72 Esci DC-3 in the stash gathering dust, and i suddenly got to wonder how good it would look in spats and with an extra engine. afterall, crossing the atlantic on just 2 Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engines is a dangerous job, you need some extra power just in case.

sourcing parts has already begun, to replace the undercarriage, i got a set of spats from a Revell 1/32 Stuka, i think these would fit perfectly without extra modifications. as for the 3rd engine, i think im gonna look at the Heller 1/72 CL-415, as i think it comes with the Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp radials from the -215 (its bsicly the same kit with -415 parts in an extra sprue). i know its not the same engine, but its the best i can source.

i got the idea after learning about the Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conroy_Tri-Turbo-Three

as for a color scheme, i have no idea yet, but here's a rough sketch of what the layout should be.

[Tophe]

Pleasant model project.
Is BdB retired or worse?

[ericr]

 

[Old Wombat]

Looks like a winner, Nils! Ticks all the right boxes!

Hard part, however, is going to be a BdB-esque back story!

[Spey_Phantom]

Pleasant model project.
Is BdB retired or worse?

Brian Da Basher has passed away in april sadly

[Spey_Phantom]

Update:

parts have been souced, and i have did a dryfit test this afternoon.
from what i can see, the nose is gonna need some heavy modification to accomodate the 3rd engine.

the spats appear to fit in the wheel wells like a glove, all its gonna need is some PSR work to fill up the gaps.
as for color scheme, right now im thinking either the Alitalia decals that came with the DC-3, or a more modern Ryanair color scheme. i could opt later to make DIY decals if im still undecisive.

[PR19_Kit]

What a perfect idea. 

I bet he's laughing at it up there already. 

[The Rat]

Fearsome spats, just the job!

[DogfighterZen]

Very cool tribute, Nils!

[Captain Canada]

Those boots are made for walkin' !

[Spey_Phantom]

Update:

work has begun, i started testing the fitting with the 3rd engine. i removed the nosecap and it appeared to be a pretty decent fit.
as for color scheme, im still thinking either Ryanair, but in a 1930's theme, or Belgian Congo based John Mahieu Aviation.

[Spey_Phantom]

Update:

i have finally managed to sort out the color scheme problem, i have decided to go with DIY made decals of my own What If airline bussiness, Marlin Air Services. i was planning on using those markings on a DHC Twin Otter, but i think i can pull it off on a DC-3 aswell 

[strobez]

Oh, this is neat... sign me up for this show!

[FXII]

Interesting, a three-engined DC-3. May I suggest, that to compensate for the added weight to the nose because of a 2000 lbs engine, that the fuselage be lengthened with perhaps an extra window frame, just aft of the wing? I will follow this thread with interest. Good luck.

[Tophe]

Brian Da Basher has passed away in april sadly

Poor Brian... Rest in peace.
(Thanks for the information Nils)