Dive Bomber Group Build (May 1 - Dec 31 2009)

hey guys,

if this gb takes off,im in.

put me down for a hasegawa 1/48 val from the battle of midway.

i've been wanting to build this one for a while now.

thanks.

jason

Steven,

Put me down for a Helldiver, Academy 1/72.

I'm doing the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 SBD-3. I plan on it being displayed in "Lefty" Holmburg's markings and in his dive on the Soryu. Started with cockpit clean-up and base coat of green chromate this morning, hopefully I'll have some time tonight to give it a dark wash to pop out the structural details. I plan on having the interior done this week in order to build the crew figures in the next couple of weeks. At this time I have limited internet access and due to job scheduling I won't be able to update you for at least 6 days.                 Happy Modeling!        Regards, Bill

Steven, a dive bomber gb sounds like an awesome idea.  The dates of the build are good for me as all of the wedding stuff will come to a close on the 2nd of May.  Seems like after that time things will be good for me.  If I do indeed end up in the build, I'll probably do either an A-24 Banshee (Dauntless) or an A-36 (Mustang Dive Bomber) just to be different.  I'll defenitely let you know. 

 As far as a badge for the build, I just threw this together.  It seems to catch the essence of the build:

If you like it, great!  If not, that's ok too. Happy Modelling!

Mike

I am heading to the LHS this weekend for their Tax Day special sale.  I'll see what I can come up with.  So put me down as a probable, but not sure what yet (most likely in 1/48th whatever it is).  My other GB will come first, but I will have no problem making the deadline for this one.

Brian

Oops! Maybe I should learn to read. Anyway, that's as far as I've gotten with it due to the past week and a half being completely nuts between work and having to get a new car. So I'll just hold off until the first to resume.          Regards, Bill

And the winner is!....... 1/48 Hasegawa's Aichi D3a1 Type 91 Val.  I got a killer deal.  I thought the Tax Special sale was on one item...nope, ALL white ticket items!  The price tag was $42.10, I paid $29.47!  My mistake was not taking better advantage of the sale.

Anyways, The Val will be my entry, and most likely I will attempt the Eduard Photo Etch set for this kit (looks fairly simple, so I should be able to give it a good shot even though I am new to PE).

Brian

Nice score Brian!

Less than 2 days until we can start.

Guess I'll start things off!

I have the fuselage closed up-- with no major fit issues-- and the wings are attached. I have some small amount of filling in to do-- but this one is fitting like a Tamiya kit!

From topside--

The office--

The office in the back--

And-- the powerplant--

The gear assembly looks to be intimidating-- but the rest is good. I have finally got around to getting all the pieces to finish the venting for my fume hood-- so once it is done, I'll paint!!!

I got in the Photo Etch kit for the Val and just picked up the missing paint colors I needed.  I was going to wait until the first build of my other GB was done, but now I think I will do both at the same time (or close to it) once I finish my T-34 I am building which is just getting ready to go for paint.  So I would say, perhaps, my build for this GB will start withn a week or two.

Brian

Nice work Mike!

I have also started my Stuka.

I made a decision to build this one strictly OOB.  I've put together the cockpit and buttoned up the fuselage.

Left side wall:

Right side wall:

Instrument panel:

Floorboard:

Test fitting the floorboard into the fuselage:

Buttoned up:

Engine and what makes this a dive bomber, the trapeeze bomb rack that you can see dangling:

AggieMan,

I had so much fun in your USAAF/USAAC GB, that I'd like to join you in this one too.

Kindly, put me down for a 1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD3 Dauntless.

I'm trying to finish my P-47N for the USAAF/USAAC GB before the 31st.  All that remains is the NMF.  While I'm waiting for paint to dry, I'll start working on the Dauntless 'pit.

Thanks & looking forward to building with everyone!

Welcome Darth and TD!

As for kit recommendations, where do I start?

I once built a Hasegawa SBD-3 Dauntless that I thought was a great kit, but I've also heard the same about the Accurate Miniatures kits that are currently available.  Accurate Miniatures also does an SB3U Vindicator, and has done the Helldiver (which was a repop of the Pro-Modeler kit that I would highly recommend, having built that one a few years ago).  Monogram is the only 1/48 Devastator that I am aware of, and I've built that one probably 3 times in my life.  You'd have to find it on ebay or some other such place as I don't believe it's currently available.

For non-American subjects, Hasegawa does a Japanese Aichi Val and a Ju87 Stuka, but a Dragon or Pro-Modeler Ju88 would also qualify for this GB.

TD,

Welcome aboard.  What scale are you looking to build in?  I build, for the most part, in the divine scale of 1/72.  I have the Academy SB2C-4 Helldiver and it's a gem of a kit.  Hasegawa makes a Dauntless, you usually can't go wrong with them.  Heller makes the SBC Helldiver biplane, think Airfix quality.  Valom makes the Northrop BT-1.  Have no experience with them, but am thinking about picking one up at Squadron's open house at the end of the month.  If you decide to venture to the dark side and build in 1/48, I can't help you much.  All I can say is that the Monogram SBD in 1/48 is a hoot to build.  Not up to today's standards by most, but you can't take off, rectract the gear, deploy the dive flaps and dive bomb a target with a Hasegawa or Accurate Miniatures kit.  Plus it comes with figures. 

I enjoy messing around with graphics as much as I enjoy building.  Here's my shot at the dive bomber GB badge:

I have a go to if I may, not sure yet depends on what I can get hold of what I'll do but my thoughts are

Yokosuka D4Y Suisei (Judy)

Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul)

Henschel Hs 123

Henschel Hs 132

depends on what I can get really.

KW

Whatever kit you decide on, you should check to see if Eduard makes a canopy mask for it.  These dive bombers tended to be multi-seat airframes with big canopies and lots of panes.  In fact, come to think of it, I need a mask for my Stuka ...

I also have the Accurate Miniatures Vindicator in my stash, as well as the AM Dauntless.  I am pretty sure both kits come with canopy mask sets.  If that makes your decision any easier, and both kits are 1/48.