1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD-3 Dauntless (FINISHED)...

I was able to get a few nights at the bench recently.  I got it decaled and Flory washed.  The decals for this edition were horrible and the insignias refused to "unwrinkle".  The white was sort of transparent too.  Since this is the second kit in a row with decal mishap(s), perhaps it's operator error?  I ended up drenching them in Micro Sol until they were good enough. .     

............and I finally finish this guy.  Its in the markings of Paul "Lefty" Holmberg's VB-3 mount in the Battle of Midway from carrier Yorktown.  On June 4th 1942, Holmberg put his 1000 pounder through the elevator deck of the Carrier "Soryu".  Dauntless bombers from the Yorktown and Enterprise would sink three Japanese carriers in a matter of minutes on that day, which essentially spelled doom for the Japanese Navy.  Thank you for your valiant service.

Reference the kit, I learned an important lesson........don't buy kits from Ebay that have been started.  Aside from the gun deck issue, the kit was missing several parts from the "A" sprue.  I had to buy a donor kit which replaced what was missing.  This was a nicely detailed kit and I have no real complaints.  It wasn't a shake and bake, but not particularly challenging either.  I did rewire the engine and added Quickboost 50's in the front and then 30's in the rear.  For the base I used the el cheapo Verlinden deck (printed on cardboard) to represent the Yorktown (Essex class) carriers which were left in  natural wood color in 1942. 

Thanks for following and I invite critique.....

Joe 

Another nice one, Joe!

Joe,

I am so stoked you got this one done. Another OUTSTANDING build. I want to build mine so bad I can't stand it. Hmmm....perhaps it's time. Great job my friend, stunning!!!  

Just lovely, mate.  And on the strength of your outstanding pics, I bought one.

Can't wait to start it.

Thanks for sharing, man.  You've made a beautiful model.

Congrats on a fantastic build all the way thru! Weathering is wonderful!!

Just gorgeous, and the decking really makes it pop!

Groot

Another beauty indeed, Joe.

You know I always enjoy your WIP threads. Impossible not to learn something. Hope you keep 'em coming.

You 'da man, Joe, another fine build.

Let me echo Greg, your accompanying text to detail the progress of your builds is always so helpful. I have learned a great deal from your build information writing, I've been building for many decades, but just never stepped out of my range of experience and modeling habits.

This has created new challenges and rewards for me, I'm much happier with my finished kits, now that I know more about detailing than I did before. Big thanks to you and all the other guys, that share so much about your building techniques and equipment.

Patrick  

Joe you just turn out the greatest looking planes and you just turned out one of my all time favorite Pacific War planes. Looks fantastic Joe

Great to see this one finished.

Fantastic finish, and great tutorial.

That bird does look good Joe!   I'm glad you got that done, thanks for taking us along for the ride.

Gary

Joe, I have a Detailer question for you.

I recently finished my first cockpit using your method (thank you  ) . During scraping parts for assy, the Detailer sometimes peels off (like a layer of rubber for lack of a better description) in unwanted places. I knew this was a characteristic of the product before I started, but it was more of a fuss than I had guessed.

So, have you found any tricks to deal with this issue?

Outstanding!  You've raised the bar a little higher...again!

Another awesome build!  I'm still trying to find the time to get my next project started.

Mike

Greg

Joe, I have a Detailer question for you.

I recently finished my first cockpit using your method (thank you  ) . During scraping parts for assy, the Detailer sometimes peels off (like a layer of rubber for lack of a better description) in unwanted places. I knew this was a characteristic of the product before I started, but it was more of a fuss than I had guessed.

So, have you found any tricks to deal with this issue?

Thanks for all the compliments.  I'm glad my WIP threads are useful.  Greg, I don't scrap my parts for assembly so I've never had that problem.  I just glue em on with Tenax....no issues.  For your dilema, just add more and wipe the excess off with a damp paint brush.  This stuff is easiest to work with while still damp.  You have to work harder when fully dried. I usually apply then wait 20 minutes before removal. 

Joe  

I am so glad you gut the right sized cowl piece because it would have been a real shame to not have been able to see this complete.

lawdog114

Greg, I don't scrap my parts for assembly so I've never had that problem.  I just glue em on with Tenax....no issues.  For your dilema, just add more and wipe the excess off with a damp paint brush.  This stuff is easiest to work with while still damp.  You have to work harder when fully dried. I usually apply then wait 20 minutes before removal. 

Joe 

Really? No scraping? Ok, my bottle of tenax went bad so you best believe I'm getting a new on and trying this.

And btw, already did all the touching up. Your advice is spot on though, exactly what I did.

Thank you for the info, Joe. Much appreciated.

Yep, Tenax.  Capillary action sucks it right into the joint, hole, etc.   I use it on just about everything including canopy attachment. Just make sure you give it time to dry.

Joe

Is tenax a brand or a certain formula glue ?   Pardon my ignorance but I haven't seen this product .

 I have Plast-I-Weld frrom Flexifile and am wondering if that's the same stuff since there are no ingredience listed on the bottle

It is a rather aggressive liquid plastic cement, Jay Jay.

This Utube video shows you what the bottle looks like.

Where do you get your "the detailer" washes.  I having a big break down about washes.  I cant decides weather to try Testors Create FX washes, ect.  I think I'm just going to buy what you use since it yields such a nice result.

Excellent work, it looks amazing!

SubarooMike

Where do you get your "the detailer" washes.  I having a big break down about washes.  I cant decides weather to try Testors Create FX washes, ect.  I think I'm just going to buy what you use since it yields such a nice result.

I get mine form my local hobby store.   You should try that route.  If not, try here:

http://thedetailer.net/

Thanks John.  I appreciate your kind words...

Joe

Local hobby store? Ha! I'm in Delaware. We have an Airbase and not much else LOL  I'm in the middle of the state -- we have two hobby shops. One at the top and one at the bottom. Both are terrible.  

WOW!  Very inexpensive.  Ordering now.  Thanks a lot for you quick reply; Have a great weekend !

UNbelievable!  $2.99 per bottle and only $2 shipping!     Couldn't be happier

Yep, very inexpensive....I love it.  I clean my LHS out everytime I go out of fear they may stop making it.  I usually mix the brown and black.  

Good Luck,

Joe

Doh!  sorry to hear that.  I clean my LHS out everytime I go there, primarily out of fear they may stop making it.  I usually mix the brown and black for a dirtier look.  

Good Luck,

Joe

Lawdog114,  I can't get Testors Glosscote locally, and I really don't want to pay it's cost in shipping.  Do you think I could just use "Testors High Gloss Clear Enamel" decanted from a can?   I'm trying to get away from Future

Subaroo, depends on what color you are going over, the HGCE will leave an amber signature after it dries but the Testors Glosscote "Lacquer" will not, give this a look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsAbfPXQ-6w