1/48 Trumpeter C-47 conversion to the Tropical Tilly R4D-5 from the 1951 movie “The Thing from another world”.
This build was a little different. I have always been a fan of the 1950’s and 1960’s horror and sci-fi movies. One of my favorites is the Howard Hawks 1951 movie “The Thing From Another World”. The movie is set in the arctic at an outpost that ends up fighting an alien invasion. With that in mind, I used the Trumpeter 1/48 C-47 and converted it to a R4D-5 for arctic service. The scheme is the “Tropical Tilly” used in the movie. For the conversion used Lone Star Models (LSM) arctic C-47 conversion set. The LSM conversion kit includes numerous resin parts for the ski’s, cowls, exhaust, nose, and a set of decals for the Tropical Tilly and another R4D called the Que Sera Sera. For research I took some screen captures from the movie and found some color production stills in an old “Famous Monsters of Filmland” magazine. I displayed this on a snow covered base. Check out all the build photos and details from start to finish in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-r4d-5-tropical-tilly/
6 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 6, 2022
Amazing result, David!
An equally great build thread, too!
George Henderson said on May 6, 2022
Wow!
George Schembri said on May 6, 2022
I remember that movie! One of the first Sci-Fi Horror movies I watched as a kid- on TVO with Elwy Yost.
Freaked me out when they open the door and the Thing was standing right there.
Oh Yeah , your Tropical Tilly looks amazing!
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Bill Koppos said on May 7, 2022
A CLASSIC jump scare. They're bantering away, open the door, and a 6 foot five critter swings a 8x8 at 'em.
Did I mention classic?
Walt B said on May 7, 2022
Beautiful work and great build thread. It turned out great, inspiring build, of a plane from a great movie. I too love the 1950's Sci-fi and horror flicks. I really think you nailed it with this build!
Dan Lee said on May 7, 2022
Watch the Skies!
John vd Biggelaar said on May 7, 2022
Excellent build, David @davids_models
She looks great on skis and being displayed on the snowy base.
The created tracks in the snow are very nice.
Thanks for sharing your build progress in the build thread.
Bill Koppos said on May 7, 2022
Very well done. Great eye-catcher and unique subject. Dan Lee beat me to 'Watch the Skies".
David Adams said on May 7, 2022
Nicely done Dave. Makes me want to give the movie another watch. Best scene..when they spread out to determine the shape of the craft under the ice, and it's a saucer! 50's sci fi at it's best.
Robert Royes said on May 7, 2022
Nice imodeler at the Movies, looks great. The Thing was I believe was JIm Arness, before Gunsmoke.
Greg Kittinger said on May 9, 2022
Cool project!