C 47a Skytrain

This book contains detailed instructions on building the C-47A 1/48 scale model aircraft from Trumpeter. In addition to the kit's instructions, there are 4 aftermarket kits with Eduard's BIG4911 set - each with their own instruction. Can you imagine merging all of these instructions? Well, I've done that for you and more. I take the model kit instructions from Trumpeter along with the Eduard sets and break them up into individual steps. The aftermarket steps are colored gray or yellow making them easy to skip if you just have the basic model. This book provides a little history of the Skytrain, photos of the aftermarket kits, a detailed list of tools that I used to build this model, along with a list of paints. The actual instruction section contains 1,091 steps and 120 plus figures over 173 pages that tell you what to dry fit, glue, and/or paint for each individual piece. Each step instruction shows the source (i.e., either Trumpeter or Eduard) along with a block to mark that you completed the step. The major instruction sequence for this model is 1. Cockpit 2. Cargo Area 3. Cargo Seat Belts 4. Fuselage 5. Doors 6. Landing Flaps 7. Wings 8. Engines 9. Wheel Wells 10. Center Wing Assembly 11. Stabilizers 12. Paint & Decals 13. Landing Gear 14. Exhaust 15. Bottom Antennas 16. Propellers 17. Top Antennas 18. Ladder 19. Add Wings I provide an index of the individual sprue parts that show where in the book the part is mentioned. This index was a great way to make sure that no pieces were overlooked. Finally, there are several pages of in-process photos with assembly tips and the final photos of my build for reference. This book is a great checklist to make your build go smoothly. Of course, you can feel free to use different tools, paint, weathering, etc. or even add your own diorama. I hope you find this book useful. See a 16-page sample along with photos of finished models and other books at glennhoovermodels.com.

Ever wondered how many aircraft were converted into Japanese Zeroes and torpedo bombers for Tora! Tora! Tora! or how French Gazelle helicopters were modified for the title role in Blue Thunder? This first of its kind reference book lists aircraft featured in 350 films and television shows, providing brief individual histories, film locations, serial numbers and registrations. Aircraft are also cross-referenced by manufacturer. Appendices provide brief bios on pilots and technicians, information on aircraft collections owned by Tallmantz Aviation and Blue Max Aviation and film credits for U.S. aircraft carriers.

A tale of a lifelong passion for a WWII aircraft that changed the author’s life: “It is almost like an adventure novel except it is true” (Air Classics). This book tells the story of a Dutch boy who grew up during the 1950s in postwar Borneo, where he had frequent encounters with an airplane, the Douglas DC-3, a.k.a. the C-47 Skytrain or Dakota, of World War II fame. For a young boy living in a remote jungle community, the aircraft reached the proportions of a romantic icon as the essential lifeline to a bigger world for him, the beginning of a special bond. In 1957, his family left the island and all its residual wreckage of World War II, and he attended college in The Hague. After graduation, he started a career as a corporate executive—and met the aircraft again during business trips to the Americas. His childhood passion for the Dakota flared up anew, and the fascination pulled like a magnet. As if predestined, or maybe just looking for an excuse to come closer, he began a business to salvage and convert Dakota parts, which meant first of all finding them. As the demand for these war relic parts and cockpits soared, he began to travel the world to track down surplus, crashed, or derelict Dakotas. He ventured deeper and deeper into remote mountains, jungles, savannas, and the seas where the planes are found, usually as ghostly wrecks but sometimes still in full commercial operation. In hunting the mythical Dakota, he often encountered intimidating or dicey situations in countries plagued by wars or revolts, others by arms and narcotics trafficking, warlords, and conmen. The stories of these expeditions take the reader to some of the remotest spots in the world, but once there, one is often greeted by the comfort of what was once the West’s apex in transportation—however now haunted by the courageous airmen of the past.

World War II was the most important event of the twentieth century. Sixty three nations took part, engaging more than 100 million soldiers, sailors, and airmen. All of the major campaigns of that war have been thoroughly covered in print and film with one exception, the secret war in the Balkans. While raids by bombers and fighter attacks were routinely reported by both military and civilian news media, the nocturnal activities of the 60th Troop Carrier Group supplying the Balkan guerrillas remained "Top Secret." Beginning in March 1944, the 60th carried 7,000 tons of weapons and equipment to secret drop and landing zones in Axis-held territory in the Balkans. With this equipment, the guerrillas tied down half a million Axis troops prior to the D-Day landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944. What if the 60th Troop Carrier Group or the guerrillas had not done their job? Adolf Hitler would have been able to move eight or ten divisions to western France prior to D-Day. No on can say with certainty, but this writer's judgment is that the landings may well have failed. At the very least, the war would have been much longer and much more destructive. The importance of the Balkan supply drops to Allied victory in Europe has never been adequately recognized. The Secret War in the Balkans provides this heretofore missing chapter in the story of World War II.

During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of California. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome its unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of California’s comparative size and strategic importance on the West Coast of the continental USA, a wide variety of military aircraft have been based there through the years. The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of California aviation is as extensive as the list of legendary figures who have contributed to its amazing history. While most of the military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over California, many can be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards or museum exhibits. This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to where these restored aircraft can be found. Complementing the details concerning aircraft specifications and roles, the author has included many facts. Finally, the descriptions of the recovery, restoration and preservation efforts stand as a tribute to the many volunteers who have devoted time, energy and financial support to ensure this rich heritage is preserved.