1/48 Trumpeter C-47 Skytrain

Gallery Article by Ian Holahan on Nov 29 2010

 

The model depicted is the Trumpeter C-47 Skytrain kit, 1/48th scale. The kit has a great interior but unfortunately most of it cannot be seen once the fuselage is closed up. I used tape and photo-etch buckles to make the belts on the benches in the troop compartment. A strip of 1200 grade sand paper was then used to depict the anti-skid walkway in the troop compartment itself. The outer wings are separate pieces and the fit was so good on those I built and painted them as such and then placed them on the model at the end of construction. This made the model easier to manuever around the workbench during the whole construction process.

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I wanted to depict a weather-beaten C-47 that had been transferred from unit to unit so a fair amount of touch-ups and weathering are prominent on the finish. Due to the large amount of panel lines and rivets that are present, I used a sludge wash to accentuate them instead of drawing them with a Micron Inkpen, like I usually do. I used numerous shades of olive drab to show the weathering and touch-ups on the finish. The panel lines were shaded with Tamiya Smoke, once all weathering and fading was completed. Invasion stripes were painted on, but I wanted them to have a ragged look so I made the demarcation lines irregular using Vallejo paint applied with a brush. Diluted oil paint was used for the fluid leaks and streaks.

I used Eagle Strike Decals to depict "The Argonia", a C-47 from the 94th Troop Carrier Squadron, in all her D-Day regalia from June 5th, 1944.

Ian Holahan

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Photos and text © by Ian Holahan