Custom Built 1/72 United DC-6B

Hi all!!

This is going to be my first of many post on a Heller 1/72 DC-6B that I am building for a customer. The collector wants a late 60's United Airlines DC-6B in the last livery for that airline. The 1/72 Heller DC-6B gives me a little bit more room to fiddle with detail.

The fuselage is where I will start with.... I know yellow......Errrr.,.but plastic is plastic I guess. I went ahead and filled in all the passeger windows with the kits clear plastic parts and added some putty too. The collector wanted a opened entry-way for passengers, so I removed the main entrance door and from scratch made a small interior section. I also made the cockpit visable with the kits parts and some home made goodies too. The Clear plastic windscreen was masked and hopefully will look ok when the tape is removed......The Heller kit has some issues with the overall shape of the aft section of the fuselage. One is the verticle tall top is too short and angled too far forward and the belly of the aft fuselage is too thin. With the help of some styrene and putty I was able to correct these minor flaws. Before sealing up the fuselage for primer I added some weight to the nose.

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Permalink Reply by Bryce Rea on January 11, 2011 at 7:56pm

Thanks for the info Brad! One day I hope to be able to add one of you models to my collection!

Permalink Reply by Brad Shinn on January 12, 2011 at 9:43pm

Thanks Bryce.......Here is a pic of the 6 from 1967.

...I added the resin engines and a set of flaps today. I'm waiting for some window decals that will have curtains to arrive.

Permalink Reply by Matt Whisenant on January 12, 2011 at 9:50pm

Is this model spoken for yet Brad???

Permalink Reply by David Tipps on August 8, 2014 at 4:11pm

Hi Brad,

Don't know if you have finished this yet as I'm way behind in joining. Would you share the white paint you use, and is the silver paint AlClad? What primers, etc as I want to do some more airliners, which is one of the most difficult models to build in terms of finish. Thanks, David

Permalink Reply by Brad Shinn on January 14, 2011 at 12:59am

Yes, The DC-6B is spoken for. I would love to build a model for you!!

Here is the port side of the aircraft with the engines /flaps added on. Still waiting to see how the metal nose gear will work out. The kits plastic strut will more likely bend from the weight. The center of gravity on the build is so far aft that I had to add lots of ballast to keep her planted well.

Next I hope to weather her and add the windows decals with curtains.

Brad

Permalink Reply by Brad Shinn on January 15, 2011 at 11:50am

I started to weather the beast. I'm working with Tamiya weatherine master and some mech. pencils. I also have some SNJ silver powder that helps some of the silver shine more.

The nav lights and antennas will be added after I get that nose gear finished.

Permalink Reply by Matt Whisenant on January 15, 2011 at 11:54am

Wow..... Its like a time machine! I love it Brad!

Permalink Reply by Brad Shinn on January 16, 2011 at 12:04am

LOL!!!....should be about 1963.I hope!

Here is the passenger door made from styrene.

Permalink Reply by Brian Sherman on January 18, 2011 at 10:57pm

Brad~

Do you normally have a pretty long waiting list? In other words, if I wanted to get together with you on a build, how long would it take to complete? Your work is incredible! Keep up the great work!

Permalink Reply by Brad Shinn on January 19, 2011 at 1:07am

Brian Sherman said:

Brad~

Do you normally have a pretty long waiting list? In other words, if I wanted to get together with you on a build, how long would it take to complete? Your work is incredible! Keep up the great work!

Hi Brian,

Thanks so much for the great reply! On this build thier was a lot of waiting for parts to arrive. It took a little longer than the norm. Just today I recieved the window decals. Send me a email to hailebrad1@verizon.net and we can talk better about build for you!!

Best Regards,

Brad

here is the almost finished product....I just have to add a little more detail antennas and discuss the finer details with the customer. I also want to take some outdoors photos too!!

Permalink Reply by Brad Shinn on January 19, 2011 at 2:12pm

I think I'm done. I added an antenna on top of the fuselage and painted the anti-glare shield with a flat clear coat. I didn't like that gloss look. I think the passenger windows look pretty nice. Vintage Flyer did a good job with them...(THANKS MIKE)

I sent the customer my final thoughts about the DC-6B to the collector and asked him what he would like to see added. ...maybe a little more grime etc.

I hope it is sunny Thursday , I would like to take the final photos of N37556. I will will post them here.

Brad

Permalink Reply by Matt Whisenant on January 19, 2011 at 2:17pm

Awesome build Brad! Can't wait to follow along on the next one!

Matt
Brad Shinn said:

I think I'm done. I added an antenna on top of the fuselage and painted the anti-glare shield with a flat clear coat. I didn't like that gloss look. I think the passenger windows look pretty nice. Vintage Flyer did a good job with them...(THANKS MIKE)

I sent the customer my final thoughts about the DC-6B to the collector and asked him what he would like to see added. ...maybe a little more grime etc.

I hope it is sunny Thursday , I would like to take the final photos of N37556. I will will post them here.

Brad

Custom Built 1/72 United DC-6B

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