Hasegawa 1/200 C-47 Skytrain

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.

The C-47 differed from the civilian DC-3 in numerous modifications that included being fitted with a cargo door and a strengthened floor.

During World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo, and wounded. The U.S. Naval designation was R4D. More than 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long Beach and Santa Monica, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s from March 1943 until August 1945.

Hasegawa pretty well started the 1/200 airliner segment of modeling with its 'Love Liner' series back in the 1980s. These were and are still very nice kits and quite appropriate for the small display areas in most Japanese homes. Over time, the series has branched out to more types and the models themselves have become less and less complex, though not to the snap level. Later kits have been designed so that you can build them gear up. Such is not the case with this kit as I think it was molded before that time period.

This 1994 is one I have had around for a very long time. Its origin into my hands is no longer known, but I am betting from the box scuffs that I got it from a vendor or won it in a raffle.

The kit itself is pretty simple as things go. Two fuselage halves with no cockpit, a lower center wing section and two one-piece outer wings that overlap onto the lower center bit. Each landing gear is made of four pieces and there is a single piece engine cowling with no engine detail to stick on the front of the nacelles. To my eye, these are a bit too straight as they curve rather abruptly at the front. The kit does come with a display stand, something you get with all of their 1/200 kits. A large hole to accept the receptacle in the bottom of the fuselage will need to be made if you go the stand route. There is a slight depression in the wing lower center section that could be an ejector mark, but is where the receptacle would be placed.

Decals are old school with off white whites. There are two D-Day options and the sheet includes the invasion stripes. One is from the 94th squadron, 439th TCG and shown on the box art. The other is with the 81st squadron, 436 TCG and has a D8 on the nose. Both have nose art   

If space is a premium or you just want a relatively quick build, this would be a perfect kit. Hasegawa decals tend to stay viable for a long time if not abused and I see no problems with these 18 year old markings. Besides, I doubt if there is much in the way of aftermarket for these kits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-47

March 2012