1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD-2 Dauntless VMSB-241 "Midway" (Finished)

BrandonK

Another one that is off to a great start. I think we have similar tastes in kits as I have this one in the stash as well. I'll be using this as a reference when I do mine. Definately watching this one.

BK

 

Another incredible build well under way.  The organic look of the paint work is amazing.

BrandonK

Excellent paint work, Joe. I think the red showing through is just right, any stronger and it would look kinda funny. Very nice.

BK

 

Thanks Brandon.  Agreed, that's why I kept going until it didn't look funny anymore.  

richs26

Excellent work, LD.  The Marines received hand-me-down -2's from the fleet when they got new -3's.  Here is a photo of the only Midway survivor here today, back on Midway with VMSB-241:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SBD-2_VMSB-241_Midway_June_1942.jpg

http://hsfeatures.com/features04/marinesatmidwaypart1jl_1.htm

 

Thanks Rich.  It seems AM were not far off on their research.   

mustang1989

These have to be my all time favorite Pacific theater warbird. Something about the lines of it really give it a "Cadillac" look. I'll be watching this one from here on out with great interest Joe.

 

Thanks Joe...I agree, Of all the Navy Bombers I probably like the Dauntless the best as well.  The Avenger is up there too.    

tempestjohnny

 

 

BrandonK

Another one that is off to a great start. I think we have similar tastes in kits as I have this one in the stash as well. I'll be using this as a reference when I do mine. Definately watching this one.

BK

 

 

 

 

I have 4

 

 

Outstanding.....

Ultra

Another incredible build well under way.  The organic look of the paint work is amazing.

 

Thanks Ultra.  That's what I was going for. 

The paint is still drying on this turkey.  I'm going with done.  Everytime I build this kit, I enjoy it.  This is my third shot at it.  This example was far from perfect and had alot of flash, but nothing insurmountable.  Perhaps my fondness is for nostalgic reasons, as it's the first kit that I made a serious go at using washes and such.

For this guy I added PE belts and rear gun sight.  The gun barrels were replaced with Quickboosts I had in the stash.  All markings were courtesy of Montex. Seriously, those who have not tried these yet are missing out. You will never use decals again.     

To recap, it's in the markings of Major Lofton Henderson of VMSB-241 during the Battle of Midway when he led 16 Dauntless SBDs head-on into the Japanese fleet.  As I previously said, Henderson was a local hero in Northeast Ohio and has a bridge dedicated to his memory in his hometown of Lorain Ohio.  Like the bridge, this build was dedicated to him and those other brave pilots who took on the Japanese Navy head on in the morning of June 4th 1942.  

Weathering was kept to minumum at the request of the recipient.  You'll have that sometimes.  I did some minor oil washes and streaking, enough to make it look used.  

I can't think of anything else.  

Outstanding, Joe. An absolute work of art.

M. Brindos

Outstanding, Joe. An absolute work of art.

 

Thanks Mike

Beautifuly subtle weathering.   The only problem with commission builds, you have to let them go!  I would have a hard time parting with this one. 

Absolutely gorgeous Dauntless.  The Navy blue-gray is perfect to my eyes, and the underside looks properly weather-beaten.

Your work is always bar-raising quality, but on this one I think you've outdone yourself. I can't put my finger on it, but there is something about this one that sets it a notch above.

Mopar Madness

The only problem with commission builds, you have to let them go! I would have a hard time parting with this one.

....and I had that same thought.

Looks great!  Love the weathering.

Don Stauffer

Looks great!  Love the weathering.

 

 

Your builds always have just the right amount of fade and grime. Another beautiful build. Thanks for taking us along.

BK

Shipwreck

Joe, you turned out another winner. Your models reflect a compassion for excellence; right down to the display! Thanks for the inspiration.

 

Thanks Ship

Mopar Madness

Beautifuly subtle weathering.   The only problem with commission builds, you have to let them go!  I would have a hard time parting with this one. 

 

Thanks Mopar. I do have a handful that I wish I could have kept. This is certainly one of those. This one will be on it‘s way to Wisconsin soon. 

Aggieman

Absolutely gorgeous Dauntless.  The Navy blue-gray is perfect to my eyes, and the underside looks properly weather-beaten.

 

Thanks Aggie. Your kind words are appreciated. 

Greg

Your work is always bar-raising quality, but on this one I think you've outdone yourself. I can't put my finger on it, but there is something about this one that sets it a notch above.

 

 

Mopar Madness

The only problem with commission builds, you have to let them go! I would have a hard time parting with this one.

 

 

....and I had that same thought.

 

Thanks Greg. For some reason I’m partial to this one too. Not sure why. My techniques don’t change. 

Don Stauffer

Looks great!  Love the weathering.

 

 

Thanks Don

mustang1989

 

 

Don Stauffer

Looks great!  Love the weathering.

 

 

 

 

 

I'll echo Don on that one. That weathering is just tops Joe. You really out did yourself on this build.

 

 

Thanks Joe

BrandonK

Your builds always have just the right amount of fade and grime. Another beautiful build. Thanks for taking us along.

BK

 

Glad to have you Brandon. Thanks for checking it out. 

Don’t know how you do it but you continually raise the bar. IMO it’s your best to date. Thanks for sharing 

Greatmaker

Don’t know how you do it but you continually raise the bar. IMO it’s your best to date. Thanks for sharing 

 

Thanks Robert

One more bravo for you, to add to the chorus of those here on this build. You really nailed the look of the Midway based aircraft Lawdog. Well done sir!

I wish I could build and weather a SBD like that! Wonderful job!!

I 1979 I had the rare privilage of having dinner with Scouting 6 and George Gay, also some of the Enterprise crew that were at the battle. First time the pilots had been together since the battle---

Andy

stikpusher

One more bravo for you, to add to the chorus of those here on this build. You really nailed the look of the Midway based aircraft Lawdog. Well done sir!

 

Thanks Stik

B-36Andy

I wish I could build and weather a SBD like that! Wonderful job!!

I 1979 I had the rare privilage of having dinner with Scouting 6 and George Gay, also some of the Enterprise crew that were at the battle. First time the pilots had been together since the battle---

Andy

 

 

Wow! to be a fly on the wall in that room that night.  You are very lucky. All that bravery in one room.  Thanks for stopping in and thanks for your kind words.