Douglas C-47A/DC-3 "OO-SBH", Libya

[BlackMamba]

Long story short, my step father was sort of a "bush pilot" some twenty years ago before he eventually got into flying jetliners. He was in Libya from 1989 to 1991, and "stumbled" across a crashed DC-3 in the desert. About 15 years ago, he showed me some pictures he took from the crash site. A few weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to try and build a model/diorama of this particular aircraft and give to him as a christmas present.

After a search on google, I came across this:

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19690328-0

POS in Google Earth: 28°38'55.13"N 22°46'21.49"E

My step father's original pictures from 1989:



The subject: A 1/72 scale DC-3 from Airfix


Misc WIP-pictures:


This is my first "diorama". I'm not done with the desert yet, but all in all I'm pretty satisfied!

[colin m]

What a great idea, and you've only got to do half a model.

[papa 695]

Great start, and as Colin said a great idea.

[BlackMamba]

Thanks. This is really not my cup of tea, and I felt a little uneasy when I first started to cut away pieces from the wings and airframe

[BlackMamba]

One more of the original subject.

[Guest]

What a fantastic idea - and even better, a gift for your dad!!!
There's going to be a lot of emotions when you present it for sure - but only good ones

This one I'm going to follow for sure - and when it's done you have to tell us how your father reacted when you presented it to him?!
Really great idea!!!

[BlackMamba]

What a fantastic idea - and even better, a gift for your dad!!!
There's going to be a lot of emotions when you present it for sure - but only good ones

This one I'm going to follow for sure - and when it's done you have to tell us how your father reacted when you presented it to him?!
Really great idea!!!

Thanks, man! I really hope he's going to appreciate it
I wish I had more time to spend on this project, but since we're moving soon I'll have to speed up the process a bit...

[Guest]

Thanks, man! I really hope he's going to appreciate it
I wish I had more time to spend on this project, but since we're moving soon I'll have to speed up the process a bit...

Often we work better under a bit of pressure so I have no doubts it'll come out anything but great!
Are you going to include a figure of your dad, standing on the cockpit just like in the photo? If not I think you should try to do this because it would make it even more personal I think.

Anyway, good luck with the finishing stuff. Being able to recreate such a cool memory with a scale model must feel fantastic!

[BlackMamba]

Often we work better under a bit of pressure so I have no doubts it'll come out anything but great!
Are you going to include a figure of your dad, standing on the cockpit just like in the photo? If not I think you should try to do this because it would make it even more personal I think.

Anyway, good luck with the finishing stuff. Being able to recreate such a cool memory with a scale model must feel fantastic!

I agree, this build was actually done in probably half the time, or even one third of the time I would have used under normal circumstances.
The thought occured to me, so I might need to scan the interenet for a 1/72 scale figure that fits the bill The last thing I need to do after the desert is finished, is to make some sort of inscription which will include the lat/long position, aircraft registration code etc.

[Thorbrand]

I agree, this build was actually done in probably half the time, or even one third of the time I would have used under normal circumstances.
The thought occured to me, so I might need to scan the interenet for a 1/72 scale figure that fits the bill The last thing I need to do after the desert is finished, is to make some sort of inscription which will include the lat/long position, aircraft registration code etc.

Nice original idea and well put together.

If you want to do a small plaque you can get one laser etched on ebay really cheap. Just do a search for custom name badges and you can put whatever inscription you want and have a brass or brushed steel backing

[papa 695]

It's coming along very nicely Marius, Really liking the weather'd/blistered paint work

[BlackMamba]

Nice original idea and well put together.

If you want to do a small plaque you can get one laser etched on ebay really cheap. Just do a search for custom name badges and you can put whatever inscription you want and have a brass or brushed steel backing

Thanks, I'll check it out

[yak face]

Amazing job marius , the battered dc3 looks superb

[flyjoe180]

Looks good so far Marius, a very unique build which your step father will love for sure

[BlackMamba]

This is the final result. He was very happy with it, so I guess I'm satisfied as well