Does anyone make a DH-6 ?

ONEALM · 2 July 2004, 08:01 AM

Does any kit manufacturer make a DH-6 "The clutching hand" ?

I have not been able to locate one and would love to have a 48th scale version to go in a shadow box. I own a pair of bullion wings and several photos of a pilot killed in a crash of a DH-6 in England and would like to put something like this together.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

JohnReid · 2 July 2004, 09:09 AM

Glad to hear that your thinking of making a shadow box.I dont have any info on the aircraft but I hope that your idea comes to life.Cheers! John

ONEALM · 2 July 2004, 09:48 AM

John -

I visited Bill Marsalko last weekend - you probably know his terrific paintings from Over the Front and elsewhere. Really a super gentleman and a great talent. His studio had a shadow box with one of his trademark montages in sepia and color with a couple of models, photos, artwork, really a visual treat. I also was priviledged to see a whole raft of his originals - just stunning, visually rich and unique work.

Since I'm basically an unimaginative sort, it looked like the perfect idea for displaying these few artifacts.

The pilot in question was Duncan Grant. Grant was born in New Jersey, but living in New England when he was killed in a crash. His brother was Charles Hampson Grant who later became somewhat well known as one of the engineers who designed the RB-1 Gordon Bennet racer and was the chief editor of Model Airplane News in the US for many years in the 30's and 40's. If you follow aviation artists/illustrator at all Jo Kotula did many of the covers during that era.

Charlies aeronautical engineering background is impressive, but I think one of his most significant contributions was the establishment of "Camp Duncan Grant" in the 20's. It was a summer airplane camp for youth to teach aerodynamics through building flying models. Obviously inspired by the loss of his brother, it was a long time labor primarily run by himself and his wife Lillian.

I spoke to Charlie many times about this and he was very proud of the fact that many of his "campers" went on to serve in the Air Corps in WW 2. We spent many hours on the phone in the late 70's and early 1980's. He had a penchant for calling me after any major air disaster to explain the aerodynamics of the situation, most of which went directly over my head.

Grant also built a glider in 1910 and flew it in Vt. at age 15. I have a great photo of him and Duncan with the Glider in "Cosmos Meadow" about to make a flight. I think I was still "egging" cars at 15.... just goes to show that really exuberant mentalities invent and build and the mental slugs like me while away the hours with oviparous terrorism.

That's the motivation for the box............

Mike

PeterL · 2 July 2004, 11:11 AM

The only Dh6 kit I can think of off hand is the Blue Rider 1/72 (and now OOP) vacform. I can't help feeling I must be wrong though, it's such a simple and obvious subject. With the Curtiss Ox and a few other bits from the Lindberg Jenny it would also be a very simple scratch build in 1/48.

StephenLawson · 2 July 2004, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PeterL@Jul 2 2004, 11:11 AM
[b] The only Dh6 kit I can think of off hand is the Blue Rider 1/72 (and now OOP) vacform. I can't help feeling I must be wrong though, it's such a simple and obvious subject. With the Curtiss Ox and a few other bits from the Lindberg Jenny it would also be a very simple scratch build in 1/48.

Formaplane?

2 July 2004, 11:55 AM

I can't duplicate the search now, but IIRC Phoenix was listed as the manufacturer of a 1:72 vac kit at a database site visited earlier and I am repeatedly kicking myself for not having bookmarked.

[Ed.] Aha!

http://www.ww1.org.uk/a.htm

'Course, I have no info at hand as to the availability or how companies have been absorbed or transferred or lost forever.

Ross_Moorhouse · 2 July 2004, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vonLemming@Jul 3 2004, 04:55 AM
[b] I can't duplicate the search now, but IIRC Phoenix was listed as the manufacturer of a 1:72 vac kit at a database site visited earlier and I am repeatedly kicking myself for not having bookmarked.

[Ed.] Aha!

http://www.ww1.org.uk/a.htm

'Course, I have no info at hand as to the availability or how companies have been absorbed or transferred or lost forever.

Phoenix did make one. I have seen them on E-Bay at times. I have been trying to get hold of this kit too. But always get beaten on E-Bay.