Battle of the Coral Sea Group Build 4 May, 2017 - 8 May, 2018

That's awsome Check. Ship colors are so hard to find or mix.

Val? Kate man, Kate. 

I do want a Val though.

PS did you know they make a Steve?

Steve, I am following along with how you paint your Val, oops, I mean Kate

Check, thanks for the link for the Colorcoat paint.  My tin of 5n was empty and dry, now I can order more.  

modelcrazy

That's awsome Check. Ship colors are so hard to find or mix.

Val? Kate man, Kate. 

I do want a Val though.

 PS did you know they make a Steve?

 

Showing my ignorance of Japanese planes, again:  

scottrc

Steve, I am following along with how you paint your Val, oops, I mean Kate

Check, thanks for the link for the Colorcoat paint.  My tin of 5n was empty and dry, now I can order more.  

 

Val?  Kate?  I'm going to have to put in some study time.  

checkmateking02

Val?  Kate?  I'm going to have to put in some study time.  

modelcrazy

 

 

checkmateking02

Val?  Kate?  I'm going to have to put in some study time.  

 

 

Actually, notwithstanding the fixed gear, they do look somewhat similar.

 

Yup, they do have some of the same features, they are both Japanese, green, and have red meatballs.  I think I flunked spotter recgonition school.

Checkmate, I did have bottle of Testors 5N acrylic, but it was almost Blue Angle Blue.  I seemed to like the White Ensign brand a little better.  

Good to know, Scott.  I have some of Testors US Navy colors, including 5-N, but I haven't opened them or used them yet.  I'm a little wary of them since they've discontinued some paints and got rid of Floquil altogether.

I only bought them in the interim when Colourcoats was transitioning from WEM to Sovereign.  I've been more than satisfied with Colourcoats.

Now it's time for a wash then a dull coat. The open canopy is molded together so is somewhat interesting to paint. I'll install the wings after the canopy is attached.

I am liking your progress Steve.  How are you masking the canopy?  A sharp knife and a steady hand?

scottrc

I am liking your progress Steve.  How are you masking the canopy?  A sharp knife and a steady hand?

No, by hand. Since its acrylic, I go back over with a toothpick and clean the frame edges.

That is still my most common technique as well. I just lately started cutting masks and airbrushing the frames if I am using enamels.  The fine brush and toothpick method is much faster.

That is outstanding, Steve.  I love what you've done with the camouflage!  Exceptional!

Thanks Check, see what I do with the Akagi Kate when June 4th anf the Midway GB arives.

Wow Steve, the cowl came out great, in fact, the whole model came out great.  That kit is now on my list to build someday.

Thanks Scott, I think you would like it.

That is a real gem, Steve.  Outstanding work both assembling and painting.  It is exceptionally appealing!

Thanks for being part of the build.  And I look forward very much to your Midway project. It'll be hard to top this one.

Any preference for the front page-finished photo?  They all look good.

Thanks Check, that's high praise.

How about picture 1 or 3

High praise deserved, Steve.

Finished photos updated with the Kate!

Thanks again for being part of the GB.  See you at in the RAF and at Midway.

Looking forward to it Check.

Hey, gotta start somewhere...

Put together a working base, set the hull bottom up on it on stanchions that may or may not be final, and glued in the nuts.

Should make an attractive display, GM.  Nice work!

I also got a good start on my Lex this weekend.  There are a lot of little parts to pre-assemble.

My paint just arrived today as well.  

Nice-looking kit, Scott.  Quite an advance beyond the Fujimi Lex.  I look forward to seeing more.

Looking good Scott.

Been following along-some nice builds going on-especially like the Kate-very nice work Steve.

Question for the group-did the SBD-3's have lap belts only or lap & shoulder belts?  The Accurate Miniature instructios call for lap only but I'm finding conflicting information in my searches.

Tbanks

I can't answer definitively, maybe someone else can.

But as a general principle, if the information is conflicting, you can probably go either way.  If you can find a photo of a specific example--with or without--you could go from there.

It's hard to find pictures of a Dauntless cockpit in action but any picture of one in a museum or present will most likely have them.
I found this picture which may answer the question if you zoom in on the pilot.

Checkmate & Modelcrazy-thanks for your input.  I did find a Coral Sea SBD-3 build on Cyberhobby and the Accurate Miniatures kit had the shoulder harness-I was wrong on my original question.  Found a couple of other resources that I'll look thru later but I'm leaning on going with the shoulder harness and ordering the Ultracast seats.

Hoping to get started on both the SBD & Wildcat for Midway in June after some work/home projects are complete-however, I always enjoy seeing everyone's builds and hopefully learning from them.