D.H.4A Airliner?
 

Having found two Lone Star Models 1/48 resin wicker seats at the bottom of my stash, and having recently acquired a Blue Max D.H.4, I've been toying w/ the possibility of doing an early airliner.
I have a copy of Munson's Airliners 1919-39, which has a decent 3-view of G-EAMU of Instone Air Line Ltd, but I'd really like to do O-BELG of the Belgian Airline SNETA. Problem is, I've only one small photo of it from Great Aircraft of the World. Googling has come up w/ nada, & I applied to join BAHA, but got no response. Would appreciate any assistance. Regards & Merry Christmas, Rob

Bob, good morning. Don't have a good photo for you, though one of the passenger section is on page 56 of "Les Belges a la Conquete de l'Air", which was apparently published by Hayez in 1976. However, this same book says that O-BELGE was a DH-9, not a DH-4. You may wish to contact M. Etienne Reunis at the Belgian Air Museum and ask for his assistance. I am sure his reference library will contain a photo of this aircraft, and he could have one of his staff take a look for you. If this doesn't work, let me know and I will take a look-- I get over there every month or so, and could check on it for you. Doc

Doc, Many thanks, but. . .
 

No need to go to all that effort. I was "afeared" that it was a 9 rather than a 4 (my pic is a port quarter rear view, and the nose doesn't show up well). I'll just go w/ G-EAMU, and do my LVG C.VI as a Belgian airliner. Thanks Much & Blessed Christmas from Texas, Rob

Bob, good morning. G-EAMU was, according to AJ Jackson's book "De Havilland Aircraft Since 1915", Putnam 1962, converted to a DH-4A version in 1921. Don't know if this will cause you a problem with the model, but the wing area and heights were different between DH-4 and DH-4A.

The same book has a good photo of O-BELGE on page 90, and confirms that it was a DH-9C (as we thought) fitted with a DH-4A cabin and underwing luggage containers. It was factory # F1148, and was later sold to the UK as G-EBUN. A new Certificate of Airworthiness was issued in 1927, and it was sold to India in 1929 as VT-AAL.

Don't you love good reference works? Doc

Doc, According to Comrade Stalin. . .
 

"The Modeler needs good references like he needs bread and air." ;) Thanks for your help.

Perhaps I'll just do a "counterfactual" D.H. 4 (vice 4A) airliner. I really like the looks of that "humped" rear fuselage, and I'll have licence to do markings of a fictional fledgling air transport service, as well. . .
Happy Christmas from Texas, Rob