Fifty years of service in the IDF: Monogram 1/48 C-47/DC-3
Three camouflage schemes characterize much of the Dakota (also in Hebrew) appearance in its long service since the War of Independence. The blue and brown scheme was introduced in the mid 50s. It was replaced by the multicolored version by the early 70s. The overall grey and final scheme was introduced in the early 90s. At that stage, the Dakota was used as an electronic warfare platform.
Monogram's venerable C-47 kit is a basic and solid build that requires much work to cover seams. Yet, the dimensions of the large kit are true to the source. I used Isradecal's sheet. Additional scratch made parts were added for a realistic look.
Excellent Dakotas, Rafi! All your scratchbuild extras really breathe extra life to the Monogram molds. Love the painting and weathering.
Congratulations!
Thank you Spiros!
Loving all three of these Rafi but my favourite is the four colour version .
Well done.
Thank you Neil.
Excellent work on all three of them, Rafi @blackmopane
I always wonder with how much storage space you must have to display all your wonderful builds.
Adding three C47s in 1/48 to my own storage occupies a lot already.
Thank you John.
Only two C47s are on display and one is back in the box. I no longer display newly built models. The great advantage of this site for me is that go back to the boxed models and fondle them before I take the photographs.
I think Dakotas are the aircraft equivalent of the venerable Opel Blitz, both classic, well designed machines that gave good reliable service and somehow look the part and make attractive models.
What makes Monogram's Dakotas such attractive models is that they are in the right scale and accurate dimensions that trigger a well imbedded aircraft symbol in people's brains.😃
Three impressive models, Rafi @blackmopane! 🤩 I really enjoyed the three different "looks" too. 👍
A few years ago, a C-47 spent a few days, awaiting repairs, at our airport here in Cameron. I drove out and walked around the plane, realizing that it was bigger than I remembered. My very first airplane flight was aboard a regional Texas airline's' DC-3 in 1966 so the type has a special place for me! 😊
Thank you Gary.
I also flew in a DC-3 in South Africa. It seemed that all the rivets were going to pop off before the aircraft finally managed to take off, at the end of the runway...
I had an opportunity 20 years ago to fly in the Planes of Fame Ford Trimotor, and three weeks later, in one of the DC-3s (not C-47s) on the field. It was easy to see how the DC-3 transformed civil aviation as it did, taking those two rides. The Trimotor was like an old Ford Model T jalopy, vibrating and shaking - you could stand in the middle of the aisle and touch the sides of the cabin with your finger tips. The DC-3 was like a flying castle in comparison - rock solid, steady, roomy as could be.
A really spectacular collection of Gooney Birds. Great results.
Thank you Tom!
A great display of some classic aircraft, Rafi. @blackmopane
Thank you John!
Outstanding C-47s Rafi! I never knew they were still in service with the IDF as long as they were. I love knowing these old girls were still providing military service fo as long as they did. I built this kit back in the '80s and loved it then. It turned out to be one of my better builds back then.
Thank you Clint!
Excellent builds, Rafi. My first airplane ride was in a DC-3 when I was about 10 or 11. Many more rides in several more since then. I love Gooney Birds!
Thank you Chas!
I also enjoyed my very shaky ride.,,
Those look great! Each scheme is interesting - can't pick a favorite!
Thank you Greg!