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SBD-3 Finished

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  • Member since
    November 2005
SBD-3 Finished
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 8, 2004 12:01 AM
Don't know if it's too late to post this. However did start this kit way back in July for this Group Build. But now I have my new camera (to replace a stolen one). Took awhile to save for a replacement digital. The plane itself was completed a couple of months ago. In review I started out with AM's SBD-3 kit for this build.


Using Aeromaster Acylics for the lower Lt grey, and using Polly S for the USN Blue Grey scheme. Keeping with an out of box format I stuck with the kit decals which came off pretty well. This boxing is of the original series of SBD's
that AM released in the mid 90's.

Having built the old Monogram kit many years ago. This kit is excellent in overall detail. Despite the many bits and pieces, it is not that complicated and was pretty straight forward. Mentioned months ago, just used Eduards PE seatbelts to finish off the cockpit.

Using MM OD for the bombs and Insignia Red for the interior of the flaps. Aeromaster Interior Green was used for the cockpit and landing gear bays. Lt Ghost Grey was used for the crankcase. MM Steel and Aluminum for the engine and bomb racks and the other metal components.


Overall this kit is a beautiful representative of an SBD. I thank the Lord for the opportunity and ability to build this kit. Watching my peers on this site and their work is a great inspiration.

Chuck
Fly Navy
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 8, 2004 12:13 AM
2 more images of the Dauntless. One thing I did not mention and the only disapointment I had with the kit, is the fact that the lower dive brake panels were warped. You'll notice this on the 3rd image rear view shot.




And with that my 1st group build project that I actually finished. Though I do not know if I'm on time.

Chuck
Fly Navy
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Monday, November 8, 2004 2:41 AM
Very nice looking, Chuck! Well done and thanks for posting!
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Monday, November 8, 2004 6:23 AM
I had the same thing with the SBD-5 kit Chuck... I'm about to build the SBD-2 and I guess I should expect the same then...

great looking build!
---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Saratoga Springs, NY
Posted by Jeeves on Monday, November 8, 2004 12:49 PM
Heya Chuck...

You did a splendid job on the Slow But Deadly. It is easily my favorite bird from the war... I have built up the -5 and the -1...and look forward todoing the -2 and -3 as well some day.
Mike
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Charlotte, NC
Posted by armorman on Monday, November 8, 2004 6:21 PM
Gawd, that is very nice. Great work!
Next Up: 1/35 Tamiya Merkava 1/48 Tamiya King Tiger 1/35 Dragon M1A1 AIM
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Monday, November 8, 2004 8:36 PM
Very nice build. Good work on the painting & decaling. I've built 2 of the AM Dauntless kits & the dive brakes were warped in both. Obviously a mold design problem, but a great kit none the less. BTW, I think you wanted this in the AM Group Build Thread.

Regards, Rick
RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Monday, November 8, 2004 9:07 PM
sweet SBD-3 chuck!! got one of those on the bench now........haven't touched it in a long while, but she's about 40% complete. i can't wait to begin the paint job.......i'm gonna have so much fun!!LOL your's looks great. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 1:28 AM

Thanks everyone for the praise. And I would like to apologize, I had intended to place this on the AM Group Build thread and was actually in it, but I clicked on the new topic link instead of the reply button. Didn't realize the mistake when I tried looking for my own post. And found it here instead. Geez!
I wonder if the flap warpage is limited to the original AM batch of Dauntlesses? Anyone else have run into this? Reading some reviews of this kit no one seems to mention this problem. Regardless I still found this kit to be a fun project and highly recommend it for those who build WWII A/C. Or for that matter anyone.

Chuck
Fly Navy
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 11:51 AM
Chuck, I would not worry about the mistake. However, I think you should post the pics in the aircraft forum for the benefit of more members!
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 8:52 PM
hey chuck... a couple of us have had the same problem... I am about to order the Eduard detail set just for the dive brakes.... Ill take a pic of my SBD-5 and show you... looks IDENTICAL to your brakes.. it's a design issue obviously...

I am building a SBD-2 starting tonight for the Naval Aviation GB so I will try to let ya know if and when I put the Eduard brakes on... so you can see how they go..

You're right... its a beautiful kit... except for those dang dive brakes...


---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 9:31 AM
Very nice, and thanks for the pics, I'm finishing up the SBD-5 for the AMGB and also found the dive brakes a little warped, but not too bad.
Scott

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