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1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD-3 Dauntless VB-6 "Richard Best"

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  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD-3 Dauntless VB-6 "Richard Best"
Posted by lawdog114 on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 3:54 AM

I thought I would share my latest project, another Accurate Miniatures SBD-3 Dauntless.  The subject is "B-1" piloted by VB-6 Richard Best off the USS Enterprise during the Battle of Midway.  On June 4th 1942, Best flew this machine and gave the Japanese Carrier Akagi it's death blow by dropping a bomb that pierced it's upper deck.  It's widely regarded that he helped sink the Hiryu later in the day as well.  Like Lofton Henderson's VMSB-241 Dauntless from the battle I built last year, it's my pleasure to pay homage to these heros any chance I get.  

Reference the kit, I once again got one with the wrong front end parts, so I had to buy a donor kit off ebay.  These aren't exactly cheap either.  It's becoming glaringly obvious why AM went out of business, poor quality control, but it's still the best SBD in 1/48 scale.  I muddled through and got it done. Other than PE belts and resin guns.  The rear double gun was from the spare box-from the Great Wall Devastator I think), it's pretty much out of the box. All markings (except B-1) were painted on with Montex masks.  

I continue to experiment with weathering techniques.  First with paint fading and then AK enamel washes and streaking.  These Enterprise SBD-3 machines were reportedly fairly new, about a month old, so I didn't go crazy.  I probably weathered it too much but I'm happy with it.  

 

 

 

A few in progress pics.  This is AK Real Colors idea of interior green.  I'm not a fan.  I think it's too lime green. 

I decided to just paint the engine as is without replacing the wires for a change.  The wire are a bit out of scale, but I'm actually pleased with it.

 

I guess you can't see too much anyways....

Some exhaust staining........

I actually have to build another on of these down the road.  Who would have thought Midway SBDs were so popular.  I need a break from this kit for now though.  

 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2017
Posted by damouav on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 4:37 AM

Mate, you've done it again. What a little ripper. Great weathering, certainly not overdone.

I need to decide if I will continue building my TBF or start another project... decisions, decisions.

In Progress
1/48 Tamiya P47-D Bubbletop
1/48 Hobby Boss TBF-1C Avenger (on hold)
Pending
1/48 Roden S.E.5a
1/48 Airfix Walrus
  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 4:49 AM

damouav

Mate, you've done it again. What a little ripper. Great weathering, certainly not overdone.

I need to decide if I will continue building my TBF or start another project... decisions, decisions.

 

Thanks Damian.  Definitely finish the TBD.  Awesome macine. 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • From: the redlands Fl
Posted by crown r n7 on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 6:14 AM

Well done !!

 

 

 Nick.

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 3:21 PM
It looks every bit as good as the last one you did; and that was great! I agree with Damouav, good weathering. What did you use for the flight deck?

On the Bench:

Revell 1/96 USS Constitution - rigging

Revell 1/48 B-1B Lancer Prep and research

Trumpeter 1/350 USS Hornet CV-8 Prep and research

 

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • From: Maryland
Posted by wpwar11 on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 4:38 PM

I believe Best is credited for downing 2 carriers in one day.  That my fellow modelers is a real hero.

Excellent work.  The thing is just awesome.  I have a Wildcat next up.  I hope I can get it reasonably close to your wonderful effort.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 4:51 PM
Awesome, makes me want to watch Midway.Wait I did just watch it.A lot better looking then their CG stuff.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: North Pole, Alaska
Posted by richs26 on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 4:54 PM

You do know that Academy has repopped these several years ago, so it might be easier to find another one and might be cheaper under the Academy label.

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
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, July 9, 2020 4:03 AM

crown r n7

Well done !!

 

Thank You..

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, July 9, 2020 4:08 AM

Shipwreck
It looks every bit as good as the last one you did; and that was great! I agree with Damouav, good weathering. What did you use for the flight deck?
 

Thanks Ship. The deck is Eureka XXL resin I painted. They're readily available on eBay. I think they're the best out there. 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, July 9, 2020 4:12 AM

wpwar11

I believe Best is credited for downing 2 carriers in one day.  That my fellow modelers is a real hero.

Excellent work.  The thing is just awesome.  I have a Wildcat next up.  I hope I can get it reasonably close to your wonderful effort.

 

Thanks. Indeed, first the Akagi then the Hiryu later in the day. Best was a real man. Good luck on your Wildcat. 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, July 9, 2020 4:14 AM

Tojo72
Awesome, makes me want to watch Midway.Wait I did just watch it.A lot better looking then their CG stuff.
 

Thanks.  I actually liked the new one.  It was part of my inspiration for building Best's machine. I'm still partial to the original though.

 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, July 9, 2020 4:24 AM

richs26

You do know that Academy has repopped these several years ago, so it might be easier to find another one and might be cheaper under the Academy label.

 

I do, at the time I couldn't find one south of $50 dollars though. I ended up finding a SDB2 and 5 packed together without the box and decals for $50 on eBay. Like two for the price of one. 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Mopar Madness on Thursday, July 9, 2020 6:43 AM

It sure is too bad that you had so many issues on the front end, but she looks beautiful on the backend!

Chad

God, Family, Models...

At the plate: 1/48 Airfix Bf109 & 1/35 Tamiya Famo

On deck: Who knows!

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, July 9, 2020 7:48 PM

Mopar Madness

It sure is too bad that you had so many issues on the front end, but she looks beautiful on the backend!

 

Thanks Chad. I just won't get that particular boxing again. 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Friday, July 10, 2020 1:14 PM

Glorious. Perfect weathering. Congrats!

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Friday, July 10, 2020 7:13 PM

Hoss WA

Glorious. Perfect weathering. Congrats!

 

Thanks Hoss

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, July 11, 2020 9:40 AM

Beautiful build. Very impressive.

  • Member since
    June 2013
Posted by bvallot on Saturday, July 11, 2020 11:02 AM

Another win Joe. I do like the treatment on the paint. For a PTO bird...and a new one...definitely not overdone. =D 

Regarding your feelings about the AK paint...I've recently seen a lot from some of the modelers here with AK true colors line of paints and from you as well. I understand there was a good deal of variation in the standard for a particular color paint due to the carriers and binding agents that were available during wartime production. Also, our cameras and lighting can make a color look a bit different as well when filming...sooo...would you say this is an honest color represented by your picture. When I was looking back at a good reference for Int Green during my Shomo mustang build, I found one in the ANA 611 which looks pretty spot on with what you have here. I mixed it up accordingly:

 Untitled by Britt Vallot, on Flickr

This looks pretty close to what I see in the pictures above. Is the picture doing it justice or did AK swing and miss? Even so, I imagine we all have a bias to what we want in a color when putting these together. =] Either way I think it worked out perfect Joe. You crush cockpits!

On the bench:  

Tamiya F4U-1  Kenneth Walsh

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Friday, July 17, 2020 2:34 AM

bvallot

Another win Joe. I do like the treatment on the paint. For a PTO bird...and a new one...definitely not overdone. =D 

Regarding your feelings about the AK paint...I've recently seen a lot from some of the modelers here with AK true colors line of paints and from you as well. I understand there was a good deal of variation in the standard for a particular color paint due to the carriers and binding agents that were available during wartime production. Also, our cameras and lighting can make a color look a bit different as well when filming...sooo...would you say this is an honest color represented by your picture. When I was looking back at a good reference for Int Green during my Shomo mustang build, I found one in the ANA 611 which looks pretty spot on with what you have here. I mixed it up accordingly:

 Untitled by Britt Vallot, on Flickr

This looks pretty close to what I see in the pictures above. Is the picture doing it justice or did AK swing and miss? Even so, I imagine we all have a bias to what we want in a color when putting these together. =] Either way I think it worked out perfect Joe. You crush cockpits!

 

Thanks Britt.  Yeah, I think AK swung and missed on the interior green.  I like your interpretation better.  Where can I get that app? If I could use Tamiya paints exclusively I would. 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Katy, TX
Posted by Aggieman on Friday, July 17, 2020 9:17 AM

lawdog114

 

 
Tojo72
Awesome, makes me want to watch Midway.Wait I did just watch it.A lot better looking then their CG stuff.
 

 

 

Thanks.  I actually liked the new one.  It was part of my inspiration for building Best's machine. I'm still partial to the original though.

 

 

That is my sentiment as well, regarding the new movie.  While it was not without its problems, it did get the story of Midway reasonably accurate and thankfully left out a bunch of made-up stuff such as the 1976 movie gave us (romance, Charleton Heston's character, etc).  Oh, and I do still count the original as an all-time favorite.

Great job on your Dauntless.

  • Member since
    June 2017
Posted by Chemteacher on Friday, July 17, 2020 8:59 PM
Beautiful work.

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

  • Member since
    June 2013
Posted by bvallot on Monday, July 20, 2020 11:00 AM

Sure Joe. I'm on iPhone. Just go to the App Store. I'm not sure what Android would have but usually there's one for each. It's called iModelKit. 

It's got color libraries for every paint manufacturer in the business for modelers. AK, Floquil, Mr Color... every thing you've heard of and everything else you haven't heard. 

if you can't find it for some reason just DM me a color you're looking to make in whatever paint you're trying to do it in... I'll mix you a good one. 

On the bench:  

Tamiya F4U-1  Kenneth Walsh

 

  • Member since
    January 2020
Posted by B777Commander on Sunday, July 26, 2020 9:38 PM
Great work! I just finished that same kit a few months ago as an SBD-1. You are a very talented builder. How many have you finished this year? You seem very fast, and if that's so, I envy your speed haha.
  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 7:34 PM

Aggieman

 

 
lawdog114

 

 
Tojo72
Awesome, makes me want to watch Midway.Wait I did just watch it.A lot better looking then their CG stuff.
 

 

 

Thanks.  I actually liked the new one.  It was part of my inspiration for building Best's machine. I'm still partial to the original though.

 

 

 

 

That is my sentiment as well, regarding the new movie.  While it was not without its problems, it did get the story of Midway reasonably accurate and thankfully left out a bunch of made-up stuff such as the 1976 movie gave us (romance, Charleton Heston's character, etc).  Oh, and I do still count the original as an all-time favorite.

Great job on your Dauntless.

 

Thanks Aggie

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 7:34 PM

Chemteacher
Beautiful work.
 

Thanks Chem

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 7:36 PM

B777Commander
Great work! I just finished that same kit a few months ago as an SBD-1. You are a very talented builder. How many have you finished this year? You seem very fast, and if that's so, I envy your speed haha.
 

Thank you for the kind words.  I average about one a month give or take. 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: East Stroudsburg, PA
Posted by TigerII on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 10:47 PM

Great looking Dauntless. 

Achtung Panzer! Colonel General Heinz Guderian
  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 10:50 PM

TigerII

Great looking Dauntless. 

 

Thanks Tiger II

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Salem, Oregon
Posted by 1943Mike on Thursday, July 30, 2020 12:29 PM

Joe,

Outstanding work as usual!

Made me glance in my office closet to check to see where my AM 1/48 SBD-5 is. It's there, waiting patiently ... if I live long enough I may get around to it.

Mike

"Le temps est un grand maître, mais malheureusement, il tue tous ses élèves."

Hector Berlioz

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