Profile Photo
Robert Royes
248 articles

Monogram R-4D/C-47

April 10, 2017 · in Aviation · · 15 · 2.1K

Wanting to do a / for awhile now, but being space challenged even with 1/72 multi engine birds, and 1/144 being to fiddly for my aged fingers, I compromised on Monograms 1/90ish kit. Got it online a 1983 issue of Puff the Magic Dragon. I had built one as a kid, I don't remember if the fuselage was as ill fitting as this one, maybe it's the aged brittle plastic.

Any way I decided on R4D navy version of which I saw only a single photo of one in an old Wings magazine done in the tri color paint scheme. I used testors raddle cans, and spare decals

Reader reactions:
2  Awesome

8 additional images. Click to enlarge.


15 responses

  1. Bob, i had one of these, when it had a stick of paratroops. Different scheme on the old girl, looks real good! Nice to see a piece of my youth again.

  2. Don't think I've ever seen a tri-color C-47...I like it.

  3. Nice work, Robert! Rare to see a tri-color Gooney Bird. I remember building that as a kid in TWA livery.

  4. Nice to see it in Navy colours Robert!

  5. Your R4D/C-47 model certainly brings back some fond memories of my modeling years gone by. I built that kit several times but never in USN markings. She sure looks good in that tri-color finish.

  6. Your R4D looks really cool in the tri color paint... I remember building this one way back when too. Mine was painted in the inter war years colors of silver and white, with a long thin black stripe separating the two colors. Thanks for sharing it with us Robert.

  7. Not a scheme that is often seen on C-47's. You did a great job on this one. Well done!

  8. Hello Robert,
    Interesting color scheme on this R-4D.
    But you proved it with the picture.
    Nice build.
    Regards,
    Dirk / The Netherlands.

  9. Another interesting color scheme...
    Good job

  10. I also built "Puff" as a kid - and fun to see a Navy scheme on it, though I'm not real sure why sailors would need to jump out of airplanes, as a carrier deck makes for a very small landing target - and a moving one at that!

    • 🙂 ... Greetings Greg ... 🙂 :
      Great models and work on your side. Always look forward to your work.
      You made a comment on your reply that to be honest ... has left me kind of at awe.
      You said :
      " though I’m not real sure why sailors would need to jump out of airplanes "
      Well at least on my side as a U.S.NAVY EOD TEAM MEMBER ... with al due respect ... allow me to inform this :
      Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician

      We are trained to disarm improvised explosive devices. Neutralize chemical threats. Even render safe nuclear weapons. Navy Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Technicians perform some of the most harrowing, dangerous work in order to keep others from harm’s way, and we do so in every environment. We are so much more than the world’s ultimate bomb squad.
      We EOD Technicians are on call to respond to any type of ordnance, and we receive specialized training on how to handle chemical, biological and even nuclear weapons. We investigate and demolish natural and man-made underwater obstructions. Prepare coastal regions for amphibious landings. Warn about potential threats – both in the United States and abroad. With expertise in the most conventional and unconventional explosives, we ensure the secure disposal of explosive weaponry.
      Whether getting the job done in a bomb suit ( many of times I had mines on while at IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN and BAHARAIN ) or by utilizing state-of-the-art robotic technology, Navy EODs are trained to use the most advanced tools of our kind in a role that’s vital to the safety of servicemen and civilians.

      As a Navy EOD Technician, we will have many far-ranging duties that can cast us on missions across the world. Our duties may require us to:
      ⦁ Detonate and demolish hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics and outdated explosives
      ⦁ Work with cutting-edge technology to remotely disable unsafe ordnance
      ⦁ Perform parachute or helicopter insertion operations
      ⦁ Support law enforcement agencies
      ⦁ Clear waterways of mines in support of the Fleet
      Locate, identify, neutralize, recover and dispose of various ordnances, such as sea mines, torpedoes and depth charges Support other Special Operations/Special Warfare units, such as Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces and Marine Expeditionary Units Help the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of State to protect the President, Vice President and other officials and dignitaries Assist with security at large international events, such as sporting events or world summits
      At times we even used the C-130 to paraglide to spots in Vieques and many times did so by means of the HUEY, CHINOOK and even the BLACKHAWK and this is just some of the BIRDS we used of the USA side, I have some stories on other international BIRDS and CHOPPERS.
      So ... YES ... I can see why sailors would jump off an aircraft.

      Again , I say this with all due and utmost respect.

  11. 🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
    Nice looking build of the R-4D Robert , many of times these airplanes were used by U.S. NAVY EOD teams together with SEAL teams.
    Nice rendition. Thank you for the images.

  12. Thanks guys, the caption of the photo says they are Marine paratroopers on a practice drop in 1944,probably in the U.S.

  13. Reading all the above comments you've certainly scored a hit with this kit, Robert, great modelling.

Leave a Reply