Trumpeter's 1/48 scale

C-47A Skytrain

by Dennis Ferriol

Trumpeter’s new release in 1/48 scale is the C-47A Skytrain (Kit No. 02828).  Filipino modelers are now given a mainstream kit of one of the most distinguished allied planes used during the Second World War.  Until this kit came along, the best kit of the C-47 was the one released by Monogram (Revell). 

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain started its career as a commercial airliner prior to the outbreak of the war.  As the military adaptation of the DC-3, the Skytrain was made simply by removing the commercial interior, fitting a reconfigurable cargo/passenger compartment, and adding large cargo and paratrooper doors to the port side.  The C-47A, with the 24-Volt electrical system, totaled 5,254 including USN aircraft designated R4D-5.

The kit is comprised of 338 pieces, presented in the usual light gray styrene on 10 parts trees, 2 trees in clear styrene for the windows, cockpit windshield and instrument panel, 1 fret of photo-etched details, 1 set of rubber tires, and 1 set of white metal main landing gear struts.  

The joy with this kit is that it comes in the now-standard Trumpeter recessed rivets with finely scribed details.  Not only does it look exquisite on the outside, modelers will be impressed to find a nearly complete flight and cargo compartment, with individual bucket seats and photo-etch lap belts for the paratroopers.  Minor ejector pin marks are evident along the length of the cargo compartment sides but these can be easily filled with putty without destroying any interior details.  Trumpeter also detailed to the teeth, the radio/navigator operator’s station, complete with galley.  To top it all of, an overhead lighting system is also incorporated.  The only thing lacking, which the old Monogram kit has, is the rear compartment bathroom or honey-bucket compartment.

The engines are a well-representation of the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines used.  Modelers can choose to add fine copper strands for the ignition wiring and display the model with the cowlings off. 

Aside from the option to use white metal main landing gear struts for stability, Trumpeter also provided twin main wing spars for strength and proper fuselage-to-wing assembly and alignment.  While the ailerons, rudders, elevators and landing flaps are separate and can be positioned as desired, modelers should take note to only use the styrene hinges for “Closed/Neutral Ailerons” (Parts G4, G5, G25, G26, G27 & G28) provided.  C-47’s didn’t employ ailerons as landing flap extensions and they should always be in the neutral position while on the ground.  Other interesting additions by Trumpeter include, a troop boarding ladder made of photo-etch brass, and rubber tires for realism.

The decals for 2 aircraft options that operated in the ETO come thin enough and seem to be of good register.  Though the invasion stripes included seem opaque, modelers may just want to paint the stripes for a more realistic look.

For detail and accuracy, I highly recommend this kit.  It is now available at all Lil’s Hobby Center branches within Metro Manila at the worthwhile price of Php 2,695.00.    

Cheers!