ERTL C-47.......Opinions?

[aferguson]

Anyone have one of these? It's 1/72, pre-built and looks great (in pics). They're somewhat hard to find but not impossible. Cost about $18.

Opinions of it? I think it's a fantastic alternative to the upcoming Corgi Overlord C-47 release (cost approaching $200), especially considering the Ertl has a removable cargo door and the corgi doesn't.

Ertl also makes an ac-47 and a variety of civilian dc-3's.

[Coreyeagle48]

Andy:

I had one of these for awhile but then sold it.

It is a nice model with a lot of interesting features. Ertl was kind of an early pioneer in these diecast scale aircraft. The aircraft comes with a metal display stand, the landing gear does retract and the passenger or cargo door does open. Also, the schemes were painted on and not decals. Ertl was one of the first to use painted graphics on their airplanes. The model is almost entirely diecast metal which makes it quite heavy. It comes in a large box so shipping is pricey.

The issues with the model would be the panel lines are overdone, they are too deep and too pronounced for a model of this size and the model lacks finer details such as the smaller antennas and pitot tubes. Also some of the schemes were glossy when they should not have been. I had one of the airliner replicas and thought the quality and detail was acceptable for the price I paid for it (about $30 at the time)

But really for the price, the model is really nice. Ertl makes quality products and given the timeframe these was produced, this was basically a top of the line piece. It is a much more reasonable alternative to the Corgi piece for sure.

Hope this helps

Corey

[aferguson]

Thanks Corey...that was very helpful. I found a couple of close up pics of the Arnhem version, on the net and can see what you mean about the panel lines. However, i'm getting used to models that have overdone panel lines, as there are still a lot out there with that trait. And i agree for the money, it's a great alternative to the massively priced Corgi (with no opening cargo door, as i mentioned).

I'm going to get the D-Day version and if i like it, i may pick up more, as there is a variety of interesting schemes to choose from.

http://forums.diecast-aviation.eu/showt ... 668&page=2

[tmanthegreat]

Interesting... While the Ertl version doesn't look bad, I think I'll still save up for the Corgi version, despite the steep price

[aferguson]

to be honest, i'd probably go for the Corgi too, except for the lack of an opening side door. A D-Day c-47 HAS to have the side door open in my view.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Limited-Editi ... 365wt_1170

[aferguson]

so i took the plunge a bought a couple of these. The DDay version and one of the AC-47's. They arrived today and i have to say i like them a lot more than i thought i would. Mind you i wasn't expecting much, which helped. But they are really not so bad. The panel lines are not as conspicuous as they look in the photos and the overall finish is decent. A few things i will spiff up a bit on them, especially on the AC-47 which has very soft edged green camo (with a lot of overspray) and only one colour of green, so i'll simply brush paint a lighter green pattern onto the model to cover up the overspray and make the scheme look more accurate.

I was able to buy them for $15 each (mind you shipping to Canada was expensive because they are so heavy) and for the price i paid i am very happy. I got both of them shipped for less than half what one corgi would cost me and these models have an opening side door that the Corgi doesn't have.

They're not overly detailed...no astrodome, top antannae, pitot and the taifin nav light is about 6 times the size it should be but the models definitely have the look of the real thing and i like them.

[Dauntless]

I had an Ertl American Airlines DC-3, but sold it a while ago. It really wasn't that bad. Like an old Corgi I thought ,though I don't have any of their DC-3's or C-47's to compare yet. Been checking out the upcoming Corgi release though. They need to make that door open.

I do believe the passenger door opened and the landing gear was retractible on my Ertl.

The lines were a little deep but they are more pronounced on the silver birds. I imagine not as easy to see on the camouflage C-47.

Does the cargo door on the C-47 open? That makes a difference imo.