Douglas DC 4, Argentina's air force memorial model
09-02-2013, 12:19 PM
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Douglas DC 4, Argentina's air force memorial model
Hi
This is my new project, a Douglas C54 / DC4 1/14 scale. This model must be a memorial of our TC48, lost in November 3th 1965 and never found. This tragedy means for our Air Force 69 people, including a of crew 9 and 59 class graduates and a Peruvian graduate.
The history of this tragedy is no closed even today,
In November 2015 will be the 50th anniversary and my model will fly as a memorial.
A huge discussion of this tragedy will be found here, some post in English and sometimes in Spanish: http://www.catrachowings.com/foro/vi...?t=337&start=0
This is the last photo in Panama, minutes before take off, and Clarin newspaper talking about.
I has a personal and emotional relation with this plane. I was 8 years old and went whit my father to a ceremony in "El Plumerillo" air base and saw the take off and all the graduates. I remember three days later my father explaining me the plane had vanished somewhere in Costa Rica.
Finally my plans are to fly my model in "El Plumerillo" in 2015.
This is my new project, a Douglas C54 / DC4 1/14 scale. This model must be a memorial of our TC48, lost in November 3th 1965 and never found. This tragedy means for our Air Force 69 people, including a of crew 9 and 59 class graduates and a Peruvian graduate.
The history of this tragedy is no closed even today,
In November 2015 will be the 50th anniversary and my model will fly as a memorial.
A huge discussion of this tragedy will be found here, some post in English and sometimes in Spanish: http://www.catrachowings.com/foro/vi...?t=337&start=0
This is the last photo in Panama, minutes before take off, and Clarin newspaper talking about.
I has a personal and emotional relation with this plane. I was 8 years old and went whit my father to a ceremony in "El Plumerillo" air base and saw the take off and all the graduates. I remember three days later my father explaining me the plane had vanished somewhere in Costa Rica.
Finally my plans are to fly my model in "El Plumerillo" in 2015.
Last edited by baco; 09-02-2013 at 04:36 PM.
09-02-2013, 01:38 PM
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About the model itself, I founded Pat Trittle DC6 plans for a small electric model, and no one of DC4, except for that of cmsmithplans.com. Last year they emailed me to offer a huge 180" wingspan plans for 4 x 0.90 2ST engine or similar power 4ST glow. One was so little and the other too big!
So I bought a set of Trittle DC6 to use as a base for a DC4. Then I was lucky, I believe that cmsmithplans.com was out of business, but really was replaced by csmithplans.com, and now they offer the 180", a 1/12 scale for 4 x 0.46 and a 1/14 scale for 4 x 0.25. Great, so I finally order my 1/14 plans set.
I'm really surprised with the overall quality of plans, CAD designed. (Both, Pat Tritle and CSmith). Obviously I will build the CSmith version which seems to be more acqurate.
Also made a visit to March Museum in California and took lots of photos of their C54.
Now, is time to work in my computer redrawing all components in CAD to give them to a kit cutter, and this will take some time. Plans are, building first all flying surfaces and finally the fuselage.
So I bought a set of Trittle DC6 to use as a base for a DC4. Then I was lucky, I believe that cmsmithplans.com was out of business, but really was replaced by csmithplans.com, and now they offer the 180", a 1/12 scale for 4 x 0.46 and a 1/14 scale for 4 x 0.25. Great, so I finally order my 1/14 plans set.
I'm really surprised with the overall quality of plans, CAD designed. (Both, Pat Tritle and CSmith). Obviously I will build the CSmith version which seems to be more acqurate.
Also made a visit to March Museum in California and took lots of photos of their C54.
Now, is time to work in my computer redrawing all components in CAD to give them to a kit cutter, and this will take some time. Plans are, building first all flying surfaces and finally the fuselage.
Last edited by baco; 09-02-2013 at 04:55 PM.
09-07-2013, 08:53 AM
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Finished all search on information (DC4 is easier than other less know models) the beginning was to study plans and then found a problem which can be tricky to solve. My decision is to use 4 glow engines .25 size, not electric power system. Her's why?... cause I'm confident because I had 6 twin models flying with two glows...and had never destroyed one due to engine failure. Even more, one of my favorites is Nitroplanes Canadair CL415 with 2 x 0.46 seaplane.
What's the issue? Fuel tanks!
DC4 has two engines nacelles in each wing side. Inboard has also landing gears which retracts in front leaving not enough room for a fuel tank, at least a commercial & standard. Outboard nacelles are ok due to the absence of retracts. These drawings show the problem.
One option is to use two tanks,one very small behind firewall and a second inside fuselage which receives pressure from the engine exhaust and refuel permanently the small one.
Another option is to make an special hand made tank which adapts to the nacelle shape. Seems to be possible, but tricky.
What's the issue? Fuel tanks!
DC4 has two engines nacelles in each wing side. Inboard has also landing gears which retracts in front leaving not enough room for a fuel tank, at least a commercial & standard. Outboard nacelles are ok due to the absence of retracts. These drawings show the problem.
One option is to use two tanks,one very small behind firewall and a second inside fuselage which receives pressure from the engine exhaust and refuel permanently the small one.
Another option is to make an special hand made tank which adapts to the nacelle shape. Seems to be possible, but tricky.
09-08-2013, 02:12 AM
#8
Baco,
I built a DC 6 a few years ago and had the same concern. My solution was to make custom fuel tanks for the inboard engines. Not difficult to do and worked out fine.
Best of luck on your build.
Paul
I built a DC 6 a few years ago and had the same concern. My solution was to make custom fuel tanks for the inboard engines. Not difficult to do and worked out fine.
Best of luck on your build.
Paul
09-08-2013, 05:35 AM
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Paul, thanks for you opinion. In fact I think this is the best and most reliable solution. The only concern is about having enough fuel volume for a 8/10 minutes flights. Of course your comments are very helpfull cause your personal experience with DC6...wich has same wing of DC4 and an extendend fuse.
09-08-2013, 05:12 PM
#10
My tanks were very small and only allowed for a short flight as they were placed forward of the retracted wheels and aft of the firewall. If you need longer flights you may have to look into using larger tanks perhaps in the wing near each engine. I considered placing the tanks in the wing between the inboard and outboard nacelles, and between the main spar and the leading edge.
Let us know how you decide to handle it!
Paul
Let us know how you decide to handle it!
Paul
09-08-2013, 05:35 PM
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Ps2727, this is also a good option. My final decision will be done before covering the wing with balsa. I think a hand made fuel tank made in brass will be suitable for this plane. Years ago I built one for a parkflyer and flew for two years without leaking. U-control and
old timers guys used these kind of tanks years ago (Me too!).
Some like this: http://aero-formosa.com.ar/sam-1953....es/tanques.htm (in spanish, but good imges)
old timers guys used these kind of tanks years ago (Me too!).
Some like this: http://aero-formosa.com.ar/sam-1953....es/tanques.htm (in spanish, but good imges)
11-20-2013, 01:24 PM
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Now finally back in Argentina after near 4 months in California. I was able take lots of photos of March´s DC6. I have decided to make my model with the assistence of a friend, so ithe TC48 will be a team work.
Buiding will begin in our summer / autumm, eg. February / March 2014.
This video talks about the DC4 / TC48
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMK8df3IBDU
Buiding will begin in our summer / autumm, eg. February / March 2014.
This video talks about the DC4 / TC48
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMK8df3IBDU
Last edited by baco; 11-20-2013 at 01:28 PM.
01-28-2014, 02:22 PM
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Construction of my model will begin in March. Now is time to buy 4 OS .25 LA, lots of servos from servocity.com, retracts and some other stuff.
We are using for this particular model:
3 Servos HS485HB, one for direction and two for flaps
4 Servos HS85BB for throttle
1 Servo HS625 MG for elevator
3 Servos HS85MG+ for ailerons and rudder.
Retracts will be Eflite 90-120 Size.
4 OS 25 LA
First to do was to flatten the plans keeping them rolled over a piece of pipe for 3 months cause the plans were sent folded.
We are using for this particular model:
3 Servos HS485HB, one for direction and two for flaps
4 Servos HS85BB for throttle
1 Servo HS625 MG for elevator
3 Servos HS85MG+ for ailerons and rudder.
Retracts will be Eflite 90-120 Size.
4 OS 25 LA
First to do was to flatten the plans keeping them rolled over a piece of pipe for 3 months cause the plans were sent folded.
Last edited by baco; 01-29-2014 at 02:23 PM.
03-28-2014, 03:30 PM
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OK, now is time to work in this project. Construction has begun this week. One of the points to enhance the model is to add "fire" in engine 3. We have some general ideas in which is the best way to do it, may be some red and orange LEDs inside the cowling with the same concept of simulated after burning, like this:
http://youtu.be/4YkHQNl6DTo
http://youtu.be/4YkHQNl6DTo
05-09-2014, 08:39 PM
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My friend Juan Carlos is building the DC4 structure, and I will paint, cover and detail the model. He sent me some images to be shared. Process has begun making a kit, really a hughe kit!
Also found this video simulation of the accident. Some parts are in spanish and some in english.
http://youtu.be/pfJekt4ZkfA
Also found this video simulation of the accident. Some parts are in spanish and some in english.
http://youtu.be/pfJekt4ZkfA
Last edited by baco; 05-09-2014 at 08:46 PM.
05-09-2014, 09:33 PM
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About the model itself, I founded Pat Trittle DC6 plans for a small electric model, and no one of DC4, except for that of cmsmithplans.com. Last year they emailed me to offer a huge 180" wingspan plans for 4 x 0.90 2ST engine or similar power 4ST glow. One was so little and the other too big!
So I bought a set of Trittle DC6 to use as a base for a DC4. Then I was lucky, I believe that cmsmithplans.com was out of business, but really was replaced by csmithplans.com, and now they offer the 180", a 1/12 scale for 4 x 0.46 and a 1/14 scale for 4 x 0.25. Great, so I finally order my 1/14 plans set.
I'm really surprised with the overall quality of plans, CAD designed. (Both, Pat Tritle and CSmith). Obviously I will build the CSmith version which seems to be more acqurate.
Also made a visit to March Museum in California and took lots of photos of their C54.
Now, is time to work in my computer redrawing all components in CAD to give them to a kit cutter, and this will take some time. Plans are, building first all flying surfaces and finally the fuselage.
So I bought a set of Trittle DC6 to use as a base for a DC4. Then I was lucky, I believe that cmsmithplans.com was out of business, but really was replaced by csmithplans.com, and now they offer the 180", a 1/12 scale for 4 x 0.46 and a 1/14 scale for 4 x 0.25. Great, so I finally order my 1/14 plans set.
I'm really surprised with the overall quality of plans, CAD designed. (Both, Pat Tritle and CSmith). Obviously I will build the CSmith version which seems to be more acqurate.
Also made a visit to March Museum in California and took lots of photos of their C54.
Now, is time to work in my computer redrawing all components in CAD to give them to a kit cutter, and this will take some time. Plans are, building first all flying surfaces and finally the fuselage.
This scale is same as my Super Constellations scale, very good scale for easy storage and easy transportation to the fields. You can carry these in average minivan with centre wing section attached to the fuselage.
05-31-2014, 07:21 PM
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My friend Juan Carlos sent me today lots of of photos of his work. He's doing an amazing job! Also I'm in touch with the family of some of the missing guys. Believe or not they still going to the forest in Costa Rica after 49 years.
09-08-2014, 07:53 PM
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We have a nice day. Fuselaje is finished and now is time to work on wings. Juan Carlos had worked hard on details such as cargo doors. This is not an scale competition level model. Is just a memorial.
