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Project Notes

#726 de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver

Building the DHC Beaver in-flight and motorized, based on the Airfix Vintage Classics kit A03017V.

Build

Here’s a quick demo..

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Notes

The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a single-engined high-wing propeller-driven short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft developed and manufactured by de Havilland Canada. It has been primarily operated as a bush plane and has been used for a wide variety of utility roles, such as cargo and passenger hauling, aerial application (crop dusting and aerial topdressing), and civil aviation duties.

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References

de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver: Short documentary Don’t Delete History

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De Havilland Canada’s DHC-2 Beaver

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warplane DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver, JRV i PVO 1/72, Airfix, Full Video Build - MM Marko

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Kit

kit_parts

Scheme A

A03017V - de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Al.1 Advanced Fixed Wing Flight, Army Air Corps, Army Aviation Centre Middle Wallop, Hampshire, England, 1971.

A03017V__SCH_A

Feature Color Recommended
  Silver - Metallic Humbrol 11
  Trainer Yellow - Matt Humbrol 24
  Dark Earth - Matt Humbrol 29
  Black - Matt Humbrol 33
  Gunmetal - Metallic Humbrol 53
  Dark Green - Satin Humbrol 163

Scheme B (selected scheme)

A03017V - de Havilland Canada DHC-2/U-6A Beaver US Army, 1960s.

A03017V__SCH_B

Feature Color Recommended Paint Used
  Silver - Metallic Humbrol 11 H8
prop hub and tips Trainer Yellow - Matt Humbrol 24 H34
engine cowling Black - Matt Humbrol 33 H12
engine, exhaust Gunmetal - Metallic Humbrol 53 H76
prop warning strips Scarlet - Matt Humbrol 60 H13
  Matt Olive Drab - Matt Humbrol 155 H304
seat Linen Humbrol 74 H85
interior Light Aircraft Grey Humbrol 166 H75
       
       
       
       

Circuit Design

Nothing amazing here - just a micro motor powered directly from a 3v CR2023 coin cell.

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schematic

Build Log

build01a

testing the micro-motor fixed in the engine

build01b

preparing +/- electrical conduits via the floats

build01c build01d

cockpit is pretty basic but I don’t think will be very visible in the finished model

build01e

starting the convoluted process of closing the fuselage with wiring intact

build01f build01g build01h

black-basing may not have been the smartest choice, but it is the way I kicked-off

build02a build02b

decals conformed to a very bumpy surface incredibly well

build02c build02d

mounting and wiring

build02e

And the final result, mounted on the wall..

build03a

One of my most enjoyable “vintage classic” experiences. Get the motor running .. insert coin on the right:-)

build03b build03c build03d build03e build03f build03g build03h build03i build03j build03k build03l

Credits and References

About LEAP#726 scale modelsCraftmotor
Project Source on GitHub Project Gallery Return to the LEAP Catalog

This page is a web-friendly rendering of my project notes shared in the LEAP GitHub repository.

LEAP is just my personal collection of projects. Two main themes have emerged in recent years, sometimes combined:

  • electronics - usually involving an Arduino or other microprocessor in one way or another. Some are full-blown projects, while many are trivial breadboard experiments, intended to learn and explore something interesting
  • scale modelling - I caught the bug after deciding to build a Harrier during covid to demonstrate an electronic jet engine simulation. Let the fun begin..
To be honest, I haven't quite figured out if these two interests belong in the same GitHub repo or not. But for now - they are all here!

Projects are often inspired by things found wild on the net, or ideas from the many great electronics and scale modelling podcasts and YouTube channels. Feel free to borrow liberally, and if you spot any issues do let me know (or send a PR!). See the individual projects for credits where due.