1:144 Douglas DC-7C 'Landing Flaps' (For Roden)

The DC-7C wing with extended devices

A set for the model of the last and most powerful version of the long-distance American airliner in 1:144 scale. It brings the flaps lowered to the landing angle in place of the continuous trailing edge from the box. The base kit is named in the name of the item.

The Seven Seas and flights across the Atlantic

The nickname Seven Seas captured the main strength of this version: it could cross the North Atlantic without an intermediate stop in both directions, which until then had not been possible. The designers achieved that by inserting another section into the center of the wing, which created room for fuel and at the same time moved the engines farther from the fuselage. The turbo-compound radial engines were among the most complicated piston engines ever to fly and gave the mechanics plenty of work. The era of the type ended quickly, because the arrival of jets brought it to a close.

Advice on finishing

Cutting the old edge away goes better in sections than in one stroke. Offer the new devices up dry and only then glue, so that both wings sit at the same angle. Paint the inside in advance and at the end emphasize the edges gently, so that the detail does not disappear under the finish at this small scale. Let the finished joint cure properly before you start sanding.

For which modelers

• For collectors of long-distance piston-engined machines
• For models in the colors of transatlantic carriers
• For builders who miss movable wing surfaces
• For display cases mapping the age before the jet era