Douglas DC-3 (oz8920)
About this Plan
Douglas DC-3. Radio control scale twin, for two .51 engines.
Quote: "The most important aircraft ever built. The best single airplane ever built. Mighty strong words, but repeated enough by those who tell of the DC-3 to make a believer of anyone. Indeed, the story of the DC-3, or 'Gooney bird,' is still being written, almost reverently, as she still flies faithfully all over the globe adding other chapters to the history of this remarkable machine.
She was born in 1935 and became the ship that truly taught the world to fly. There are still over 3,000 of them flying, and people who know her do not hesitate to say that this aircraft will still be flying long after they are gone. Truly the only thing that can replace her is another DC-3.
As a scale modeler, I long ago learned that if the 'real' airplane flew well, was forgiving, and had stable characteristics, it is possible to build a miniature copy of that aircraft, using scale surface sizes, scale airfoils, etc.. and pretty well count on that model inheriting enough of the qualities of the full size craft to make it an acceptable project. Anyone reading Len Morgan's Famous Aircraft series' book on the DC-3, or the Profile publication on the Gooney, cannot help but be impressed with the forgiving, reliable, flyability of this aircraft.
The plans were largely scaled directly from drawings in the two publications previously mentioned. Being in the Air Force, I was able to obtain a copy of the C-47 technical orders which helped immensely on landing gear and other details. I also began looking around the local airports for a Gooney which I could photograph for detail and color scheme proof. Mr Joseph Solko, a member of our club the FARC, just happens to fly a DC-3 for the FAA and invited me to use it for my needs. It turned out that this particular DC-3 was once General Hap Arnold's personal airplane during WW-2 and at one time bore the tail number of N-1. What more fitting a scale subject could I have asked for?
Six months later my model was on the ramp at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC, ready for its maiden voyage.
It was my first twin, my first retract gear ship, and my first experience with flaps, but because of the airplane they were all happy experiences. Want to build one? Here's how! The fuselage should be built first, mostly to generate enough inspiration to complete the remainder of the project..."
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(oz8920)
Douglas DC-3
by Paris White
from Model Airplane News
June 1971
95in span
Scale IC R/C LowWing Multi Civil
clean :)
all formers complete :)
got article :) -
Submitted: 03/07/2017
Filesize: 1037KB
Format: • PDFbitmap
Credit*: ffrankie
Downloads: 8172
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ScaleType: This (oz8920) is a scale plan. Where possible we link scale plans to Wikipedia, using a text string called ScaleType.
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User comments
Here's a picture of my Dakota C-47 that I built about 20 years ago from Paris White plans [more pics 005]. Power was a pair of OS .40's. Flew it for about 5-6 seasons without any mishaps. Flew very well on one engine out.BobSealy_Tennessee - 14/02/2018
Hi Bob, Do You recall your C47 RTF weight? Mr White does not include it in his build instructions. Thinking of building one with Epower. Thanks
Stan - 07/03/2020
Hi, I’m getting close to finishing my DC3. It is for static use only as it is covered in aluminium sheeting [pic 006]. I need to buy two Williams dummy engines. However I cannot find any reference as to what scale this plan is so that I can order the dummy engines. Can you help please. Kind regards,
Geoffrey Hall - 01/07/2020
Since the DC 3 had a span of 95' and the model spans 95" it would be 1/12 scale.
RFJ - 01/07/2020
The scale is 1/12, or one inch to the foot.
Bob Sealy - 01/07/2020
the scale is 1 to 12 or 1/12
KLH - 01/07/2020
Thank you very much. Keep building!
geoffrey hall - 04/07/2020
thank you. With Williams GPW Wasp Dummy Engine Kits out of production due to Covid, any idea where I can get any?
geoffrey hall - 06/07/2020
In the past Revell sold a plastic kit for DC3 Wright Cyclon 1/12 scale. Sometimes it appears on ebay, buy one and make resin casting duplicates. I presume is the actual William Bros rekitted. Alternatively on ebay dummy radial engines at low price https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dumm...
Pit - 06/07/2020
The Revell plastic kit of the Cyclone engine is really the Monogram Models kit. They cut this mould in the early sixties. When Revell and Monogram were purchased by Odyssey Products in 1986, some Monogram kits were re-issued under the Revell brand including the Cyclone engine. They have nothing to do with the Williams Bros. kits.
Eduardo Barriga - 06/07/2020
Thank you so much guys. You are a great help. I will now start my search.
geoffrey hall - 07/07/2020
Where are the wing ribs?
harry - 09/10/2020
Harry, the wing ribs are on page 2. Along with detailed instructions re the sandwich method of construction. All you have to do is slow down, take your time, and read the plan. Everything you need is on there. Good luck with your build.
SteveWMD - 09/10/2020
After all the help from those great guys out there I finally finished my 1/12th scale Paris White DC3. Here are some pictures if you want to add them to the DC3 page [pics 007-010]. Kind regards,
Geoffrey Hall - 19/10/2020
I've seen some terrific finishes here, but this puts many in the shade!
Miguel - 19/10/2020
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- Douglas DC-3 (oz8920)
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Notes
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Scaling
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