scorpr2: Thanks, Bud!
wyoroy: Try one- you won't regret it! Glad to help get your burners lit, pal. ![Cool [8D]](/emoticons/icon_smile_cool.gif)
Bossman: As I said to my buddy Angelo, more people see these pics than will ever see the model. Know what I mean? You'll be able to see plenty- all hatches will be open. Thanks!
Daywalker : Man, I hope Monogram sees this and gives some kind of sales bonus or something. ;D
davew6003 : My credit is building- YEAH! Informal group build, anyone?
Luftwoller: Thanks, Maestro- I reall y appreciate it. Cheers!
wing_nut: By all means, give that tiny beast the treatment. I'll write you a tiny check put in the cockpit... ![Laugh [(-D]](/emoticons/icon_smile_newlaugh.gif)
Mel Sharkskin: You've got to be the nicest guy in town- thanks! Now I'll "man up" and answer those questions you asked me a acouple of weeks back. Sorry to be so lte with the info...
Mel wrote: I've just been spellbound following your SB2C-4 build. You see, about two years ago I got this idea, when I got the Eduard Big Ed sets for the -4 and the -1C, that I would do this build. But more and more time went by, and my excuse was, and remains, that I can't find any decent references to detail from, or even to check the accuracy of the kit from.
Thanks so much, Tom! I've combed my library and the web for as much info as I can glean- I'm a real ref hound, The books in my first post have been joined by a bunch more- the old Profile #124, Famous Airplanes of the World #86 (June 1977- I had just graduated High School!)- even The Best Of Nye from Model Airplane News with the veteran draftsman's somewhat misinformed yet still informative multi-view drawings. You can also sift for detail information from books on contemporary subjects- The TBD-1 Devastator and Dauntless have similar gunner positions, and the Ginter books on the Curtiss SO3C Seamew and XB2C-1 (the Helldiver's "replacement') are helpful as well.
I've gotta confess that I don't own a scale ruler and never really check a kit's accuracy. If it looks like a duck, then it's a duck to me. ;-)
If anyone can add to my suggestions, sing out! We'll all benefit from your help- thanks!
Finally, AcMin sent me their boxing of the SB2C-1C (I don't even recall if ProModeler made this sub-variant when the original Helldiver kit came out about 1997) and now there was just no more excuse, especially since I've seen your work. I can never hope to match yours; it's just stunning. But I can draw inspiration from it. However, I have a couple of questions you may be able to answer.
The Accurate Miniatures SB2C-1C comes with a separate little sprue with a three-bladed prop and new spinner and backing plate. These are supposed to replace the other prop in the kit. Surely there are more differences in the 1C than that prop. Do you know what I need to watch out for? I have, as reference, a couple of on-line walkarounds (mostly of -4s and later), as well as the Famous Aircraft of the World, Vol. 40: SBD Dauntless and SB2C Helldiver, a beautiful series of publications and inexpensive too, but of limited help if you don't speak Japanese.
Well, to the best of my knowledge there are a few things that need to done to the kit to make it a true -1C, and the first is a bit involved. There were four extra windows in the fixed center section of the canopy, right behind the pilot's canopy. Your trusty Squadron In Action book has a nice drawing on page 28. I've never seen the AcMin 1-C kit, but I've heard they included window templates in the instructions. This did not please some folks as you might imagine! One other modification would be to add a balance tab to the rudder, right above the trim tab. See page 30 of the aforementioned volume to see what I mean. This one's no biggie.
I too have the True Details resin cockpit set (mastered by and formerly sold under the KMC label) and the TD wheels. Do you know if this cockpit set is for the -4 or will it work in my -1C?
I think it's do just fine- parts of it seem more suited to the -1C than the -4. The kit parts are definitely geared toward the -1C, so you're in good shape. One problem I did have with the TD set was poorly-cast parts. A call to Squadron got me a free replacement set, but the same parts were muffed. Looks like they need to re-mold the masters!
One thing I was able to find out: Unfortunately, my SB2C-1C does not have those nifty all-perforated dive flaps like the later models (-3 and after). The flaps on the -1C are mostly solid with only a row or two of what appear to be lightening holes. Eduard got that part right, and they are correct on the kit PE fret.
At least I know my Eduard PE is made for the subtype I'm building, and the Aeromaster stencil sheet is okay, but that's about all I'm sure of. Since you are, by acclamation, the master Helldiver modeler around here, I would be most grateful if you could answer any of these questions. And also point out any pitfalls in the kit for those of us inspired by you to do a detailed Helldiver.
Oh, boy- you're just too kind! :-[ I'm learning about the plane as I go- it's part of the fun and satisfaction of modeling for me. Aeromaster stencils, you say? Tell me more!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful build with us. Now that's what these forums should be all about. No rivet-counting and pedantic fault-finding nor, on the other hand, gratuitous accolades for sloppy modeling (mea culpa). Just good, useful modeling information. And what a model you've shared with us! I just hope the pressure isn't bugging you too much.
Looks like we agree on the important fundamentals: Good modeling, good company, good manners- and good fun! One day I did sit up and thought, "Hokey smokes! I'm building this whacko project on the World Stage!" I guess it doesn't really bother when I get such warm support from guys like you, Tom- and the other sympatico souls who like to weld tiny widgets into the semblance of some fabulous machine.
Cheers!