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1/72 MPC Curtiss Helldiver (1968 Airfix)

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  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
1/72 MPC Curtiss Helldiver (1968 Airfix)
Posted by M. Brindos on Sunday, July 16, 2017 9:14 PM

This is what I've been messing around with this weekend. I found it in a local gift shop at the Olympic Airfield here in Washington.

The previous owner had made extensive notes (including drawings) on how he had planned to scratch build the details. I decided it would be a waste to not use them. However, the orriginal mold was released in 1968 by Airfix before MPC reboxed it in 1982. It's not in the best of conditions and has sink marks and misaligning parts.

So far I've spent more time lining things up than scratch building anything, but I've made the radio rack, life raft stowage tube, and the MG shields. Already a big improvement. So one picture to show for the hours of work spent on this project.

You can't even see the radio boxes lol. All that white blends together. But that's a start.

I forgot to mention the scribing of the cowl flaps and scratch built exhaust tubes as well.  

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    September 2016
  • From: Albany, New York
Posted by ManCityFan on Sunday, July 16, 2017 9:55 PM

Hey Mike.  I built a bunch of MPC kits when I was a teenager.  They were cheap and available, so that is what I got.   From what I remember, they were skimpy on detail, and didn't always fit so well.  But...I also did a terrible job on them.  Still, they were fun for me at that time.  I still have some MPC kits in my stash.  

I am really interested to see what you can do with this kit.  Sounds like some wrestling is in order just getting it together.  Plenty of scratchbuilding opportunity, so I think you will enjoy it.  Already looks much improved!

Have fun,

D

Dwayne or Dman or just D.  All comments are welcome on my builds. 

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Sunday, July 16, 2017 10:11 PM

Thanks D. With this one I'm going with the "choose your battles" attitude lol. Aside from the alignment issues this kit has it's GED (Good Enough Detail) so some scratch building will make it much better. I'm trying really hard to keep as much rivet detail as I can, but it is a battle. Ive decided against going full tilt on it though as I think it's more trouble than it's worth in overall investment time, but some details that can be seen (and should be)  will be handled.

Getting this build into shape has been the main focus so far. The propeller is UGLY but I don't think I have a poper replacement. Well... Maybe I do. 

My Hobby Boss P-47 came with two and I'm not using the second one....

The engine needs a bit a work as well.... might have some ideas...

Stay tuned.

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posted by ridleusmc on Sunday, July 16, 2017 10:14 PM

Mike, I admire your willingness to bring older kits to life.  I have a tendancy to get excited about newer kits.  I've always liked the SB2C, because it certainly looks intimidating.  

  • Member since
    June 2017
Posted by Chemteacher on Sunday, July 16, 2017 10:16 PM
That's a neat find with the notes and drawings on the instructions. I'm sure you will do a great job on this kit. I remember those MPC kits as a kid.

On the bench: Revell-USS Arizona; Airfix P-51D in 1/72

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Sunday, July 16, 2017 11:49 PM

I'll do her justice my friends, don't you worry. :)

That Hobby Boss prop was just the thing I needed! Now it's a -5 instead of a -3 and it looks waaaay better than the kit prop did. It's also the right size as the kit prop was a bit small.

This might end up looking pretty cool. :)

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Monday, July 17, 2017 3:52 AM

I've seen these kits when I was a kid. Never built one, I'll be following on this one.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, July 17, 2017 4:16 AM

Good on ur for giving this one a go. Nicestart.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Monday, July 17, 2017 9:30 AM

Hi Mike,

I will follow this one.  I completed the MPC TBD last winter.  Not bad kits becasue they are so plain.  I would like to find the MPC SBD, it seemed to have the most accurate lines. 

Scott

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Brisbane Australia
Posted by ChrisJH666 on Monday, July 17, 2017 3:04 PM

You know, one of these days you are going to start with a post saying "I found this old sheet of plastic....." and fifty posts later, there's a fully detailed B52 or something!! Helldiver's looking good so far

In the queue: 1/48 Beech Staggerwing (RAAF), P38 (RAAF), Vultee Vengeance (RAAF), Spitfire Vb (Malta), Spitfire VIII x2 (RAAF), P39 x2 (RAAF), Martin Baltimore (Malta?), Martin Maryland (Malta), Typhoon NF1b, Hellcat x2 (FAA)

 

Chris

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: North Pole, Alaska
Posted by richs26 on Monday, July 17, 2017 3:36 PM

Mike, the Grand Master of the Obsolete and Ugly Kits is back on the stage again.  A great start for this new installment.

WIP:  Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 73rd BS B-26, 40-1408, torpedo bomber attempt on Ryujo

Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 22nd BG B-26, 7-Mile Drome, New Guinea

Minicraft 1/72 B-24D as LB-30, AL-613, "Tough Boy", 28th Composite Group

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Monday, July 17, 2017 3:45 PM

Good deal Mike, glad to see you start on this. Watching

:popcorn:

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    November 2016
  • From: Maryland
Posted by iampiper13 on Monday, July 17, 2017 6:04 PM

I'll be keeping an eye on this Big Smile

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Monday, July 17, 2017 6:20 PM

Well, looks like I have an audience lol. Thank you gentlemen, I will endevour to keep you appraised of my progress. Big Smile

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Monday, July 17, 2017 6:33 PM

One of my favorite planes of all time. I'm definately watching.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 9:06 AM

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 9:13 AM

I hope all goes well with your wife.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 9:46 AM

Thanks, MC. She'll be fine by tonight. Just a broken Filshe clip floating around her in her guts for the last ten years. It will all be well soon.

However, the inherent insanity is another story. I'm not a psychologist so I guess I have to live with that. Lol! ;)

 

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 8:23 PM

Bow Down

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Hatboro, PA
Posted by Justinryan215 on Saturday, July 22, 2017 7:34 PM

I'll be following along!  I have Dragon's 1/72 scale offering in my stash for two years now, and I've been searching for any Helldiver built on here , but I think this will be the first!  Looking good so far!

 

Justin

"...failure to do anything because someone else can do better makes us rather dull and lazy..."

Mortal as I am,I know that I am born for a day.  But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the Earth...

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Saturday, July 22, 2017 11:07 PM

That Dragon kit has got to be far better than this old offering. Lol

I'll be more than happy to have you along for the ride.  :)

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    September 2016
  • From: Albany, New York
Posted by ManCityFan on Sunday, July 23, 2017 11:27 AM

Hey Mike, send my best regards to your wife.  Glad to know she will be OK.  Sounds like she will be sidelined for a bit.  That gets old fast.  Hope she has a speedy recovery.

D

Dwayne or Dman or just D.  All comments are welcome on my builds. 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Hatboro, PA
Posted by Justinryan215 on Sunday, July 23, 2017 2:16 PM

M. Brindos

That Dragon kit has got to be far better than this old offering. Lol

I'll be more than happy to have you along for the ride.  :)

 

Yeah....just a peek inside of the box...which is about the size of revell's 1/48 tomcat box...reveals a nice little helldiver kit along with some photoetch parts....I'm a bit anxious now....lol

"...failure to do anything because someone else can do better makes us rather dull and lazy..."

Mortal as I am,I know that I am born for a day.  But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the Earth...

 

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