Helldiver! 2/08/09 Post Script

Good to see more of your work.  Looks great.

Roy

Thanks so much guys!  Mel, I'll answer all your questions to the best of my ability- after Christmas! ;)  I've been a bit busy with work and life and stuff- thanks for being patient!

Thanks, guys!

Well, I've gotten all my shopping, decorating, gift wrapping and cleaning done, so it's time for some Christmas Eve modeling! I worked up the gunner's port sidewall today- lots of photo examination gave me a basic idea of how the reserve hydraulic system worked.  The central part was a reservoir tank, linked to a selector switch and a hand-operated wobble pump.   I started with the tank.  

Here's an overall view- the body of the pump came from a plastic model railroad part, a classic tip from modeling grandmaster Shep Paine. 

The selector switch is a simple assembly of styrene bits.  Pre-drilling holes will greatly help when fitting the wire plumbing.

Plumbing commences.  I have no idea what that puch is, but is in the photo, so... ;)

After some practice the wirebending gets to be a lot of fun! 

Here's the assembly all knitted together.  I'll add the actual pump handle later, to spare myself the fun of breaking it off and regluing, breaking it off and regluing, ... :blink:



More to follow in the coming days- until then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!  

This is a great thread. Keep at it Chuck!

Chuck that is some of the most impressive work I have seen posted here in a long time. Thank you for taking the time to show us all step by step just how you achived all of this. I know it has to inspired just about everyone who had read this thread to do some scratch building.  You should definetly consider submiting this build as an article when you are done because it is so informative and well documented. I can not wait to see the finished product!

                                                                    Soulcrusher

Chuck:

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

TOM 

chukw wrote:

wing_nut:  I've got that set-up, too!  Now, do I have the heart to do all this over again- in 1/72???

Yeah, you'll do it again and you know it.  I've done so much 144th lately... this? in 1/72?  it'll feel like I can walk around inside

davew6003:  Thanks, Dave!  I'm making this up as I go- wish me luck!

Bossman:  I'll have a bunch of access panels open, and may leave the rear canopy sitting on the wing.  I think a lot of what makes a detailed modelk cool is the mysterious nature of peering onto the depths and shadows and seeing a bunch of cool stuff.  My mind always fills in a bunch more that isn't really there- know what I mean? ;)

Now, about that water heater- good luck, pal!   :D

wing_nut:  I've got that set-up, too!  Now, do I have the heart to do all this over again- in 1/72???

Daywalker:  Thanks, dude!  Maybe it wouldn't hurt to submit it FSM- who knows?  ;)

Chuck,

Excellent article, both informative AND entertaining!  Are you gonna submit this to FSM for the mag?  This is front cover material!

Chuk,

Again - very impressive !  Are you gonna close all that up ?  Or are you gonna have some cut- aways to show it off after completion ?

And on a personal note, I've got this new water heater...  you wouldn't mind givin me a hand...  wouldja ?

Chris  

wyoroy: It's a JLC razor saw- I got it from Billy Crisler of Aerospace Modeler at the NATS.  Yup- that's a Waldron Punch at work. 

The rest of you guys:  Thanks a bunch!

Man, the Christmas season has been keeping me busy!   I got in only an hour or two last week, but was able to hit the bench some yesterday and today.   First order was to add the rounded ends of the fuel tank from Milliput, smoothed out with a wet, sloppy finger.  I usually hold the camera in my teeth for this kind of shot, but my wife helped out this time- thanks, Honey!   


While harding for the putty to harden I whipped up some sub-assemblies and such.  There's a big ring around the fuel filler cap, so that was first- here's how I did it:




Next came the filler neck itself.  I was guessing at the length- it was later cut to fit.  



The Helldiver's wing tanks were inked to the main tank by a series of beautifully bent, nesting lines.  A template is the only sane way to do this, so I broke out the calipers, took some measurements off the rear rollover bar and drew a guide onto some cardboard.  The various marks were used to bend the three differently-stepped lines.  I used copper wire for the lines, and bent them using my Mission Models Etchmate.   The template made it relatively easy.   


One week later I got back to the tank itself.  The Milliput sanded easily and to a beautiful surface.


All this from two old photos!  The notes explain a lot, but patience was the main ingredient.   I bent the three nesting lines first, then the feed lines from the tank itself.  The auxiliary lines that run under the tank were last.  The nested lines were glued first ( they run down into the wing roots and out of sight).  Next the tank was wiggled into place and its lines added.  lastly the auxiliary lines went in.  The fuel filler cap was the cerry on the cake.    :D









The radio got some love, too- but that's another story... ;)

Great stuff.

Eagerly awaiting the sequels.

Chuck,

This is really nice work you're showing us.  Just wanted to let you know that I'm reading this with great interest and will definitely keep this thread as a reference for the helldiver and for modelling methodology in general.  Thanks for putting the effort and time into documenting all this.  Again - nice work !

Chris

Simply awesome fella. Loving this build.

...Guy

Looking good so far  Question on the saw, I read about that type awhile back in FSM but can not find the issue.  What is the name, I want to get myself one.  Do you use a Waldron Punch? 

Roy

Peer pressure!  Peer pressure!  

So, here goes- I cut away the bulkhead, thinned the sides (sooooooo boring!), filled the ejector pin marks, thinned the sides some more and cut away the access panels.  Not all -4's had the upper panel, but I figured screw it!  I want this work to be seen.  Next came the fun stuff- building up the inner ribbing.  Aaaah- modeling heaven!


I began building from the front of the compartment- here are the two front legs of the turnover pylon and the pilot's armor panel.  Details from bits of strip stock and sliced sprue, just like our armor-building brethren.  See the notes for various details- and pitfalls!



The ribbing on the other side was a bit more challenging with the various subcomponents already in place.  Not crushing things is always priority one!  I glued the front assembly in and added one of the rear braces.  Note that I've gotten those rivets installed correctly at last.  



The fourth leg was carefully added- I did some test-fitting with the other fuselage half in place before gluing.
The radio is set in place temporarily to assess the size of the pylons.  I'm doing this by the Mk I Eyeball method.
 


I did some caliper measurements on the space between the pylon legs, drew up some paper patterns and cut the endcaps of the tank from styrene.  These in turn were glues to a small block of balsa wood.  The tank is, lengthwise, flat along the top but sloped on the bottom, so these endcaps are differently-sized.  



With a sanding block I carved the tank to shape- it was pretty easy, as the endcaps set the shape.  I got the to and bottom angles right, but the tank was too long.  Well, it's easier to take material away than add it... ;)



Using my trusty calipers I scribed a line around the rear end of the tank, held my breath and cut it off.  Success!  From here it was a simple trick to glue it a scrap of styrene and trim that down to match the balsa profile.  Whew!



I wrapped a bit of paper around the tank to create a rough pattern, then used it to cut a piece from .010 styrene.  Wrapped, glued and trimmed to shape, it's starting to look like a fuel tank!  There's more shaping to be done- I'll break out the Miliput for that.  This photo shows how much more internal ribbing needs to be added- not much,  but that's for later!  ;D

Stop twisting my arm- I'll do it!  :D

 1/23Marine- Yes, please!  Any photo ref is solid gold for a crazy project like this...  Thanks!

My god! That is the best made helldiver I've ever seen, I admire oyur work

Keep us posted

I double dog dare you!!  Besides I'm drooling over this build and just want to see what kooky stuff you come up with.  This build is the stuff my dreams are made of!!

wait....I just started building again....now it makes sense

Ben

do it plus I can only learn from you

Roy

Thanks, Dave-

I'm truly thankful- for four days off this week!  My Thanksgiving holiday gave me plenty of time to get down to work.  I always study my ref before tackling a sub-assembly and noticed that the kit rear canopy opening was just plain wrong.  Curses!   The rails need to be fixed and the opening re-shaped. I've already glued a bit of styrene into the gap to shorten it up.  

I cut a new opening, matching it to the PE inner rail and photographic ref.  That notch is abit deep and got a styrene bit to fix it.  Also note the block in place to level out the rail.  

The inner rail is supported by a shelf.  You can see a punch-disc pulley in the cut-out.

Here's the finished bit. Inner and outer rails have been added, the handgrip and circular port filled and rescribed.  

A much more accurate set of rails for a late-model Beast.  The compulsive nerd in me can now sleep at night...  :coolio:

While I'm railing on- how about the gunner's footrail?  The kit's is pretty basic, and that oxygen bottle has to make way for sweet, sweet resin....

Styrene rod to the rescue!  

Now I could finally move on to the rear sidewalls- I'm working on the starboard side first.  I mixed bits of the kit sidewall, the True Details O2 bottle, styrene, wire and solder. 

A broken guitar string serves as the oxygen hose.  I heated it red hot in a gas flame and let it cool slowly to anneal it and make it pliable.  That white circle is a styrene disc filling an ejector pin depression.

The True Details radio boxes are more square than the kit examples.  Each box and rail is a separate piece and need to be glued, drilled and pegged.  I used copper wire for that, clipping the excess off after the glue had set.

The TD parts have a lot of character- it's a shame I've got to scrape it off to make way for the Eduard printed faces- they can't be beat! 

I started to replace the upper rack with a simple shelf, but photo ref revealed a much more interesting rack.  As I'm building -4E model I'll have to scratchbuild the APNS radar set and it's components to mount here

The radio is seen temporarily in place- it's a busy little station!

The space behind the radios was wide open- I can't bring myself to hide it behind the kit "bulkhead".  There's a rollover pylon, fuel tank and lot's of cool piping. I could open up some inspection hatches... do you dare me?    :taunt: