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1/48 Monogram SBD Dauntless WIP.

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fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
1/48 Monogram SBD Dauntless WIP.
Posted by fox on Friday, October 30, 2020 10:09 PM

Haven't done a WIP in a long time so I guess it's about time to do one.

I only have one carrier based plane in my cabinet. It's a Panther (Bridges of Toko Ri)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oDcmrxyJTaVjUBaQ6

. It's time for another. I pulled this out of the stash this afternoon, checked that all the parts were there and decided to do this a little more than OOB. The dive flaps have a lot of flash on them and the holes need to be drilled out. I started on one set and got them done. I'll do the other set tomorrow. Did a quick dry fit of the parts and they look pretty good for an old kit. The decals have yellowed due to age. Im going to try the "tape to the window" trick to see if I can save them. Hope we get more sun. I think I have enough decals in the stash to replace them in case the window trick doesn't work. Dug out my box of spare PE and there's quite a bit of it that is usable to enhance the pit (to start with).

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kRzrsyAA4X5VtSfP8

Have all the models given to me to repair from the museum finished so I'll have more time for my own builds until the museum is open again (and there's a lot more to repair when they do). Haven't even started on the trucks, tanks and ships.

Jim Captain

Stay Safe.

 

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Hatboro, PA
Posted by Justinryan215 on Saturday, October 31, 2020 6:06 AM

I'll be watching!  I've been wanting to add a dauntless to my collection for some time!

"...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
    April 2015
Posted by Mopar Madness on Saturday, October 31, 2020 10:35 AM

I love that vintage blue plastic! I'm following this one.

Chad

God, Family, Models...

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

On deck: Who knows!

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Saturday, October 31, 2020 1:02 PM

That was one of my all-time favorite kits!  When the movie “Midway” came out in 1976, it was nigh impossible to find it on store shelves.

I consider it Monogram’s best “movable feature” kit, with the Hellcat a close second.  Dang, it was so much fun dive bombing the living room carpet!

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Saturday, October 31, 2020 2:13 PM

Real G, funny you should mention the Hellcat. Yesterday, when I was pulling out the SBD, I also pulled out a Fujimi 1/48 Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat to check out. After checking the engine on the Hellcat, I decided to do the SBD first because the engine on the Hellcat would need a lot more work to look good. I have it sitting on the bench to do next.

Got the other set of flaps drilled out this morning and the ejection pin marks sanded off. Working on the cowl now. Loads of flash around the edges and also a slightly raised edge that looks like the molds were further apart than just causing a layer of flash. Trying to get it off without destroying the real fine raised panel lines. 

Jim Captain

Stay Safe.

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Saturday, October 31, 2020 4:10 PM

Jim,

It’s mold wear and tear most likely.  Back in 1976 the parts had only a little flash.

Of course my memory may have used brighter than actual colors to paint that picture.  I have retutned to kits from the past and found some rather challenging.  But the Dauntless was pure joy back then.

Heh-heh, maybe I should get one to build.  OOTTB of course.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Saturday, October 31, 2020 8:50 PM

Real G

...It’s mold wear and tear most likely.  Back in 1976 the parts had only a little flash...

 
The one Jim's building is from first half of the 70s, though-a "white-box" boxing of the kit.  I think there was some flash on some parts, occasionally, though nothing too severe.
 
It is a fun kit to build!

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Sunday, November 1, 2020 12:53 AM

...Is that why the LSO was holding two giant pickle slices?

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Sunday, November 1, 2020 6:20 AM

I built this kit a few years back and then a few DECADES back as a kid. It's a fairly rough kit but can be built up fairly well. Real G mentioned dive bombing the carpet. I remember that all too well with the first build. lol.

The second time I built it I used alot of parts from the Hasegawa kit to freshen the interior up.

Lookin' forward to your take on this one Jim. Yes

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    June 2017
Posted by Chemteacher on Sunday, November 1, 2020 8:25 AM
Neat kit. Seeing the box top brought back some great memories. When I was a kid, their was a local drug store that carried a bunch of Monogram kits. And yes, the small, die cast toy I had of the Yamamoto received regular dive bombing from my rendition of this kit.

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

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Sunday, November 1, 2020 11:07 PM

It's a toss-up. Should I leave the bomb drop and operating landing gear in or take it out and put the detail in? I'd have to work around the release mechanisms and really couldn't get much in the pit or wheel wells. The box they use for the pit is very small as a result of it.

Jim Captain

Stay Safe.

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 2, 2020 6:00 AM

I left my operational bomb in....just for old times sake. It's not accurate but hey, there are some things that are just worth a conversation piece. At the end of my build the bomb didn't operate anyhow but the release tab was still there. IMO if we wanted to build a more accurate Dauntless then the Accurate Miniatures or Hasegawa kits are the way to go. This one here......this one's just for fun. Just my two cents Jim.Wink

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Katy, TX
Posted by Aggieman on Monday, November 2, 2020 11:31 AM

You have not lived until you build a giant card house and dive bomb that with your Monogram Dauntless.  Stick out tongue

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Denver
Posted by tankboy51 on Monday, November 2, 2020 2:49 PM

I remember building the Dauntless along with the Wildcat in 1958 or 1959.  My dad came from his Dental practice and gave them to my brother and I to build.  It was my second model, my first airplane.  My dad was a crewman on a cruiser and he had lots of pictures of these planes.  He remembers his ship packing up men whose planes were damaged in the ocean.  We had a good connection to this plane.

It is a fun kit.  Working flaps, landing gear, bomb, and propeller. What more could a 9 year old ask for?  

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Monday, November 2, 2020 5:18 PM

At my age (80) some guys would really, really enjoy flying the plane around the house and bombing ships, trains and buildings and those watching would say "He really enjoys that, doesn't he? As long as it makes him happy".  Well, I guess I would too but I really enjoy adding just a little more to the plane. So, I'll try to leave the working parts in and still add what I can to it. We'll see how far I get before I take them out. I love a challenge.

Jim Captain

Stay Safe.

 

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 11:37 AM

One of my two favorite kits as a kid, the SBD and the TBF. Found one for $2.99 at a thrift shop this past year.

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 6:00 PM

Hi guys! Sorry for the delay in updating my SBD build. I got a bit of work done on the pit and took pics. Downloaded them to my new computer and then couldn't find them anywhere on here. The wife and I are trying to find where they went before I loose any more. I'm taking pics as I go so when I figure this out I can start posting them. 

The bomb release will be there. I'm not sure it will work but I'm trying to keep it along with the other operating features.

Jim Captain

Stay Safe.

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

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