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

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I would guess that an Italian pilot probably did not use German gear but I stand to be corrected on that matter.

I've made what appears to be significant progress on my own Stuka, putting down the entire paint scheme this afternoon.  But there is still a lot of work ahead of me in additional detail painting (tires, wheels, guns, etc), weathering what at this point appears as a pristine Nazi splinter camouflage job, and dealing with the canopy paint job.

I didn't photograph the painted canopy pieces as right now they are nothing more than black-green pieces.  I masked with a liquid masking solution I have had for a while now, last time I used it was on another Junkers aircraft, the big Ju52 I built about 4 years ago.  I don't know what to expect out of this effort but I'm hoping that this stuff still works.  If not I guess I'll be purchasing a canopy set.

lewbud wrote:

TD4438 wrote: I got started on that Stuka this morning.I must admit I feel like a fish out of water. You can do it TD.  Just like building a TIE Fighter, only different.

Anybody involved in the SW GB knows by now I can crank out TIE fighters kinda quick.I've also cranked out a couple TIE Pilot costumes.Here's one I made for the wife.

TD4438 wrote:

I got started on that Stuka this morning.I must admit I feel like a fish out of water.

You can do it TD.  Just like building a TIE Fighter, only different.

Konigwolf13 wrote:

Well since GB's are supposed to be about sharing advice along the way, I'll post this here before I try else where. THis is my first time really working with resins, I have built resin figures but they havnt required much clean up, whats the best way to remove large areas from around the parts? The smaller one I figure just carefully trim away as one might with plastic (but a bit more careful). I tried using a grinder attachment from my engaving tool to remove a large block from the bottom of the seat, while it was ok it was slow going. I am on the right track here or is there better ways to remove large blocks or similar large areas?   KW

Two words-Razor Saw.  Makes quick work of the pour stubs, allows you cut fairly close so clean up is a lot easier.  Plus you don't have to breathe in all that resin dust (nasty stuff I'm told) as you grind it off.  These can be found at just about any hobby shop or craft store.  If that doesn't work or the shape doesn't allow it, you can use the back of a x-acto blade and score the area like you were cutting thick plastic, then snap off the pour stub.

Well since GB's are supposed to be about sharing advice along the way, I'll post this here before I try else where. THis is my first time really working with resins, I have built resin figures but they havnt required much clean up, whats the best way to remove large areas from around the parts?

The smaller one I figure just carefully trim away as one might with plastic (but a bit more careful). I tried using a grinder attachment from my engaving tool to remove a large block from the bottom of the seat, while it was ok it was slow going. I am on the right track here or is there better ways to remove large blocks or similar large areas?

KW

I'll get around to finding a carrier bird as well,but put me down for an Airfix 1/72 Junkers JU-87B/R.I knew I had something in the stash that would suffice!I'm not looking forward to that canopy however!

I found a couple of references for that HS-123.  Looking forward to seeing your build (and I'm considering adding this kit to my stash). 

http://www.airwar.ru/other/draw/pict/hs123hpm.jpg

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.acesofww2.com/Bombers/39-41/hs123.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.acesofww2.com/Bombers/Bombers.htm&usg=__YJTClpiSar5Q5X9-9AoeOai2XMw=&h=450&w=600&sz=20&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=NNP0OS4cgBlv7M:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3DHs-123%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

Well picked up an AMtech 1/48 Hs-123A today, updated version of an old ESCI kit with resin cockpit included, so thats what I'll be doing. Since she served well on the eastern front I thought I might do her with unspatted landing gear and if I get find a decent reference shot (or shots) done up in a winter cammo. (any help would be great)

 might make a little hs logo to 

KW

Am a little scared doing the canopy painting, could be too much detail

Whatever kit you decide on, you should check to see if Eduard makes a canopy mask for it.  These dive bombers tended to be multi-seat airframes with big canopies and lots of panes.  In fact, come to think of it, I need a mask for my Stuka ...

I also have the Accurate Miniatures Vindicator in my stash, as well as the AM Dauntless.  I am pretty sure both kits come with canopy mask sets.  If that makes your decision any easier, and both kits are 1/48.

I have a go to if I may, not sure yet depends on what I can get hold of what I'll do but my thoughts are

Yokosuka D4Y Suisei (Judy)

Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul)

Henschel Hs 123

Henschel Hs 132

depends on what I can get really.

KW

I enjoy messing around with graphics as much as I enjoy building.  Here's my shot at the dive bomber GB badge:

TD,

Welcome aboard.  What scale are you looking to build in?  I build, for the most part, in the divine scale of 1/72.  I have the Academy SB2C-4 Helldiver and it's a gem of a kit.  Hasegawa makes a Dauntless, you usually can't go wrong with them.  Heller makes the SBC Helldiver biplane, think Airfix quality.  Valom makes the Northrop BT-1.  Have no experience with them, but am thinking about picking one up at Squadron's open house at the end of the month.  If you decide to venture to the dark side and build in 1/48, I can't help you much.  All I can say is that the Monogram SBD in 1/48 is a hoot to build.  Not up to today's standards by most, but you can't take off, rectract the gear, deploy the dive flaps and dive bomb a target with a Hasegawa or Accurate Miniatures kit.  Plus it comes with figures. 

Welcome Darth and TD!

As for kit recommendations, where do I start?

I once built a Hasegawa SBD-3 Dauntless that I thought was a great kit, but I've also heard the same about the Accurate Miniatures kits that are currently available.  Accurate Miniatures also does an SB3U Vindicator, and has done the Helldiver (which was a repop of the Pro-Modeler kit that I would highly recommend, having built that one a few years ago).  Monogram is the only 1/48 Devastator that I am aware of, and I've built that one probably 3 times in my life.  You'd have to find it on ebay or some other such place as I don't believe it's currently available.

For non-American subjects, Hasegawa does a Japanese Aichi Val and a Ju87 Stuka, but a Dragon or Pro-Modeler Ju88 would also qualify for this GB.

AggieMan,

I had so much fun in your USAAF/USAAC GB, that I'd like to join you in this one too.

Kindly, put me down for a 1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD3 Dauntless.

I'm trying to finish my P-47N for the USAAF/USAAC GB before the 31st.  All that remains is the NMF.  While I'm waiting for paint to dry, I'll start working on the Dauntless 'pit.

Thanks & looking forward to building with everyone!

Nice work Mike!

I have also started my Stuka.

I made a decision to build this one strictly OOB.  I've put together the cockpit and buttoned up the fuselage.

Left side wall:

Right side wall:

Instrument panel:

Floorboard:

Test fitting the floorboard into the fuselage:

Buttoned up:

Engine and what makes this a dive bomber, the trapeeze bomb rack that you can see dangling:

I got in the Photo Etch kit for the Val and just picked up the missing paint colors I needed.  I was going to wait until the first build of my other GB was done, but now I think I will do both at the same time (or close to it) once I finish my T-34 I am building which is just getting ready to go for paint.  So I would say, perhaps, my build for this GB will start withn a week or two.

Brian

Guess I'll start things off!

I have the fuselage closed up-- with no major fit issues-- and the wings are attached. I have some small amount of filling in to do-- but this one is fitting like a Tamiya kit!

From topside--

The office--

The office in the back--

And-- the powerplant--

The gear assembly looks to be intimidating-- but the rest is good. I have finally got around to getting all the pieces to finish the venting for my fume hood-- so once it is done, I'll paint!!!

Nice score Brian!

Less than 2 days until we can start.

And the winner is!....... 1/48 Hasegawa's Aichi D3a1 Type 91 Val.  I got a killer deal.  I thought the Tax Special sale was on one item...nope, ALL white ticket items!  The price tag was $42.10, I paid $29.47!  My mistake was not taking better advantage of the sale.

Anyways, The Val will be my entry, and most likely I will attempt the Eduard Photo Etch set for this kit (looks fairly simple, so I should be able to give it a good shot even though I am new to PE).

Brian

Oops! Maybe I should learn to read. Anyway, that's as far as I've gotten with it due to the past week and a half being completely nuts between work and having to get a new car. So I'll just hold off until the first to resume.          Regards, Bill