Douglas DC-6B Turbo

[McColm]

 Douglas tried to re-engine the DC-6 and C-118 Loadmaster with major structural modifications for the Allison 501-D13 (T56) turboprop. The Air Force chose to invest in new jet airlifters whilst the Navy did show some interest by sponsoring a prototype powered by Allison T38 A-8 turboprop engines, the results were good but the Navy stuck to the radial engines.
The modifications would have included new engine nacelles similar to those of the Lockheed Electra (Laci produce the Convair CV-580 Allison 501 conversion set in 1/72 for the Mach2 model but it could be used with the Heller DC-6B Super-Cloudmaster kit) .Alternatively the Rolls-Royce Tyne engines was suggested these can be cut from the Mach2 or  Revell Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic kits.

I've gone for a hybrid version using the Allison T56 turboprops taken from a Lockheed C-130 Hercules and slotted into the engine cowlings of the Pratt & Whitney R-2800.
The 1/72 Heller Humbrol Douglas DC-6B Super-Cloudmaster or Securite Civile doesn't include interior fittings apart from the cockpit so the swing-tail cargo version could be built and large cargo doors fitted along the fuselage if desired. Douglas did propose a integral loading ramp and external fuel tanks for both military or the airliner variants.
 The build is very straightforward with little flash to clean, parts fit well. I have added the glazing and the cockpit before gluing the two fuselage halves together and then the wings, followed by the new engines. There's a bit of a mismatch as I have used the yellow Securite Civile wings and tail fins with the white fuselage of the DC-6B Super-Cloudmaster.