Dutch Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 I am contemplating converting a Minicraft 1/144 DC-6B into a Canadair North Star C5. Other than the antennae fit, different under fuselage scoop and RCAF decals, are there any other dimensional changes required? R/ Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin_sam_2000 Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 2 hours ago, Dutch said: I am contemplating converting a Minicraft 1/144 DC-6B into a Canadair North Star C5. Other than the antennae fit, different under fuselage scoop and RCAF decals, are there any other dimensional changes required? R/ Dutch Dutch, the North Star was a very unique beast. Built by Canadair, it was a hybrid of a few different aircraft. here is a description of the changes from Wikipedia: More than just an engine swap, the North Star had the Douglas DC-6 nose, landing gear and fuselage shortened by 80 in (2 metres), DC-4 empennage, rear fuselage, flaps and wing tips, C-54 middle fuselage sections, wing centre- and outer-wing panels, cabin pressurisation, a standardised cockpit layout and a different electrical system. To do a proper North Star, you need a DC-4 and DC-6 model with the merlins, or in your case for the C-5, just a DC-4 and DC-6 kit. Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 23, 2018 Author Share Posted June 23, 2018 Sean, thanks, but I think I read that ithe Wikipedia information is accurate for the C4 versions. The C5 actually used the DC-6 as its basis. I will keep resesrching. Does anyone have Larry Milberry's North Star book to check for me? I sold mine years ago. R/ Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cubs2jets Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 A beautiful one off airplane... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird3a Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 (edited) To make a C-5 out of a 1/144 DC-6; shorten the fuselage 16mm in front of the wing and 8.5mm behind the wing. that's all, everything else is the same. I did some extra work on the cowl flaps and hollowed out the oil cooling scoops and stuff. CanMilair decals Edited June 25, 2018 by Snowbird3a Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Those Douglas propliners were classics. Double zig-zag stripe is a fun touch, wonder who in RCAF came up with that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 26, 2018 Author Share Posted June 26, 2018 @Snowbird3A: Thank you sir! I knew it would be pretty easy. Thank you for the how to pics as well. Beautiful build. I am just waiting for Bill @ CanMilAir to respond to my request for decals as he has shut down that part of his website once again. @southwestforests: Yes, double zig-zag lightning bolts are retro cool. R/ Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted July 16, 2018 Author Share Posted July 16, 2018 So, as noted on his website, I sent Mr. William Burns an email with the types and qty of CanMilAir decals I am requesting and have heard nothing back. Is this usual from CanMilAir? When he gets backed up, how long is the wait until he clears the backlog? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird3a Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 If you do Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/CanMilAir/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RCAFFAN Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 I ordered some decals from him on March 28th of this year and he acknowledged the order that day but I have heard nothing from him since so not sure what is happening..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 Hmm, according to the CanMilAir 1/144 RCAF model website link, the Minicraft DC-4/C-54 will build into a C.5. For the Minicraft DC-6/C-118 it recommends the following alterations: "DC-6B will need to have fuselage shortened by removing 16.3mm just ahead of the wing root and 8.5mm behind it. Tail fin needs to be shortened 2mm and each stabilizer by 7.5mm. Windows need to be altered. Refer to FSM March 1993 for a conversion in 1/72 scale." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird3a Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 The DC-6 is a better starting point, due to the engines used. If you use a Minicraft DC-4, there is a ton of engine conversion to do. And due to a difference in wing mounting, kit-bashing a DC-4 with a DC-6 is even harder. For a Canadair C5, start with a DC-6, full stop. Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird3a Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 I have the FSM article, it is NorthStar specific, but a great starting reference. The C5 had a DC-6 tail group. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 Thanks for the confirmation Snowbird3a, I was beginning to doubt myself there. I will stay the course. Still waiting to hear from Mr. Wm Burns, though. R/ Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I think Bill is out of the decal business now. Only printing full size aircraft markings now. Which is too bad..wanted to do a Cosmopolitan. As for the North Star, another option is the Revell C-54 in 1/72 with a Belcher Bits conversion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 (edited) @ phantom What! Say it ain't so! I still have several Canadian subjects I need 1:144 scale decals for. Augh! Okay, I will scrounge now! Edited August 23, 2018 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted September 10, 2018 Author Share Posted September 10, 2018 Well, good & bad news! I fear that my June order with CanMilAir will not be printed. However, I was able to secure the CanMilAir 1/144 CC-106 Yukon sheet #310 from ebay for a decent price. I think that I may well be able to adapt the Yukon markings to the North Star C5. I do not have RCAF serials in this scale, but may be able to use my RAF black serials as "close enough." I also found two sets of the old Microscale #14-129 B-25 Mitchell sheet for the engine scallops. I will keep you posted when I start construction and post my "in progress" photos. R/ Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Banks Posted October 10, 2022 Share Posted October 10, 2022 I'm using the Minicraft 1/144th DC-4B with resin Merlins by Dana A Kopher, Aeroclub props and Trans Canada Airlines decals from Vintage Flyer Decals Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted October 10, 2022 Author Share Posted October 10, 2022 39 minutes ago, Scott Banks said: I'm using the Minicraft 1/144th DC-4B with resin Merlins by Dana A Kopher, Aeroclub props and Trans Canada Airlines decals from Vintage Flyer Decals Classic North Star scheme. Carry on! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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