Dive Bomber Group Build (May 1 - Dec 31 2009)

 Hello fellows. Been following along with intrest. Over at the FAA GB I have been struggling with an interesting pair. The Special Hobby 1/48 Roc and Skua. Both these birds were used as dive bombers and fighters. The Skua really reminds me of a Dauntless and has been compared to it and the Jap Val.

Thought you may like to see some progress as these are tough kits to get together and something not so commonly built.

Slowly but surely getting there!  Been working about 3 weeks on them.  Doing some PE stuff and arming them up!  Thanks for looking!

Would a Hawker Typhoon be considered a dive-bomber,or just ground attack?

I know the Typhoon was designed as a fighter but proved its worth as a ground attack.  I'm not sure that would include the dive bombing role, though.  They may have been able to fix bombs to hard points on the wings but the Typhoon did not have a trapeze as found on many dive bombers, nor did it have dive brakes to my knowledge.

Mike,

Good looking Vindicator!  How did you do the tail?  I've got to do that effect on a Wildcat.  Did you just mist coats of blue, or is it a series of very thin coats?

Some pics of the Dauntless:

Here is a bunch of progress pics...

I have pics coming, but my Stuka's flight crew is painted, sparse cockpit installed, the fuselage is assembled with all of the seams filled and sanded, and the wings have been installed.

So far, aside from sparse detail, the kit is going together fairly well, with minimal flash, although someof the sprue trees are a bit thick where they join to the model. 

My Testors Dauntless is moving along nicely as well, with next to no detail in the 'pit, Ihave the fuse halves joined, and the one piece wings assembled, withany root seams filled and sanded and ready for a second coat of primer.

Justin

I had canopy and gear issues-- I guess I didn't get everything on the interior seated exactly correct so it came back to haunt me.  I overdid the weathering on the fabric parts a bit-- I was trying to recreate the fact that it was practically falling off and was due to be redone after the battle.  As a quick fix, it was held together with medical tape...so I may still work on this a bit to tone it down...but here she is nonetheless...

Thanks for letting me join- it was a blast!

I'm not too concerned...at least not for the first 26 weeks...I look at it as a "State Sponsored Summer Vacation Plan"...until the slow season at area bodyshops is over, I am collecting.  Dont get me wrong, I am looking for a job, but I am not stressing just yet!

Justin 

I as just wondering if it is too late to join this build...I just got laid off on Friday, and now, aside from keeping my eleven-month-old occupied (nap times), and in between cleaning, I finally have some building time.

I have the semi-crappy testors 1/72 Dauntless, and the Revellogram Stuka to contribute...

Justin

I can't believe I didn't go blind trying to paint the canopy.Because it's a clear part,it sort of throws off depth perception.Ofcourse the paint went on very thin,so it took numerous coats to get a solid look.Total PITA!!!

But I'd do it again in a heartbeat.I really enjoyed the overall build.

Aggieman wrote:

Wish I could but unfortunately my quality control was taking a potty break or something when I put on those tailplanes..... It's actually a combination of both causes, in that my camera was angled toward the subject and not pointing head on, and the tail planes are actually slightly off level.  Grrr.  Gotta fire that quality control guy ....

Instead of firing maybe get him to lay off the schnapps until after work perhaps.  I've seen your work, I knew they couldn't be that bad.

I really enjoyed this build.Except for the canopy that is.What a PITA!!!!

I doubt that anyone who would say they enjoy doing these kind of canopies, especially in 1/72, would be that truthful about the matter.... But it looks like you did an admirable job free-handing it.  I like the Stuka being in Italian markings since we don't normally see those and would generally associate the Stuka with the Luftwaffe.  Good job!

Wish I could but unfortunately my quality control was taking a potty break or something when I put on those tailplanes.....

It's actually a combination of both causes, in that my camera was angled toward the subject and not pointing head on, and the tail planes are actually slightly off level.  Grrr.  Gotta fire that quality control guy ....

Steven and TD, nice jobs on the Stukas.  for both of you.  Steven, please tell me that your camera just took some funky pics and your tailplanes aren't that twisted.

DONE!!!

I really enjoyed this build.Except for the canopy that is.What a PITA!!!!

Aggie, excellent job on the Stuka, looks great!  Nice work on the antenna wire.  I love the weathering on the underside, looks terrific!