Battle of Midway Aircraft Group Build

It does have the decal, but I was concerned that the blue of the decal would be a mismatch to the blue on the rest of the fuselage. I was just wondering if anyone who had already built this kit had done it by hand and if it was feasible/worth it.

Mike, I plan on using the decal. However, if one had the red/white decal or wanted to paint the rudder, I would think one could make a thin blue 'wash' (acrylic & H20) and apply. Used same techinique for a 'winter white wash' on a Battle of the Bulge Sherman-I was happy with it.

Doesn't the AM SBD-2 kit come with rudder decals that slightly show the overpaint?? Meaning you can see a hint of the white and red underneath?? I would go that route only for the fact that if I tried spraying it, it might end up masking over the red and white too thoroughly....

Pete-this link was posted a few pages back-lots of good pics

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/AWA1/501-600/walk537_Dauntless_Bailey/walk537.htm

Bob, thanks for the response. Yes, I do have the AM kit. Must have missed the paint reference for the floor. I have that build on my favorites list.

Pete-as far as the interior floor, my instructions (Accurate Min.) call out for 'interior green'
Haven't gotten to the rudder yet-will probably go with the decal provided-will also await the response from the other GB members that have completed the SBD-2 (or variant) before. I am also going to try some extensive weathering on this one. As far as Future'ing the canopy, it does multiple things-removes minor scratches, provides a layer of protection, aids in tape/mask removal & paint removal. I have an old mustard jar that I poured some Future in, clip the spruce to as small a unit as possible (still trying to keep the part attached to the spruce) and dip into the Future and let dry on an old plastic coffee can lid. Added benefit is that regular Testors tube glue doesn't seem to 'fog up' the canopy when attached to the plane. Would need to do more research on that point, but that was the case on my He111 build-Testors clear plastic glue would't hold the greenhouse in place.

Here's probably a better source on Future though

http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

I'm assuming that you have the Accurate Min. SBD-if so, drop them an e-mail with questions. I questioned the fact that the instruction sheet showed a shoulder harness for the pilot but the decal was only for the lap belt. Received a very quick response stating that the SBD-2's at Midway did not have shoulder harnesses. Good folk at Acc. Min. Might want to check out their 'on-line build' of the SBD too.

http://www.accurate-miniatures.com/builds/sbd/sbdbuild.htm

Got my SBD on Monday and as soon as I wrap up my current build and some other business, I'mm going to start in a week or two. I 'was looking through the kit and instructions and have a couple of questions for anyone that has built this kit. First, I don't see a mention of what color the cockpit floor should be. Is it zinc chromaye like the rest of the interior, or something else? Second, how did you handle the painting of the rudder? Did you use the decal supplied? I'm worried that the color won't match the rest of the fuselage and am thinking I would paint the original white and red stripes then spray the blue over it, just like the original. And one more question, for Bob. When you say you prep'd he canopy with Future, what exactly does that mean and how/why would one do it? Thanks in advance for your help. Pete

Actually made some progress last couple of nights-cockpit components are pretty much painted interior green-still need to do some dry brushing, detail painting (radios), flat coat, wash, etc. Also prep'd the canopy with Future. Full speed ahead...kinda.

QUOTE: Originally posted by tho9900 Yeah I remember that... she was hiking the hump in Burma when she got that... that's where she killed the leopard with her bare hands and skinned him for a bikini too... boy weren't those the days???

Scary thought that.
But lets face it, shes a Swiss army knife with stubble!!!!

I finally have some progress to report, granted it's not much, but it's progress. Last night I broke out the old Wildcat and painted the interior zinc chromate green and primed all the areas that need to be painted white. My Ultracast seat still has not arrived but I don't want to delay any longer, so I'll paint that later. Tonight it’s on to detail painting the cockpit.

Darren

Yeah I remember that... she was hiking the hump in Burma when she got that... that's where she killed the leopard with her bare hands and skinned him for a bikini too... boy weren't those the days???

Yeah, well, the old hag rubs off on ya whether you like it or not.
And not just meterphoricaly (sp?) either, ever since that bout of leperacy she picked up in Indo-china.....................

I see Kremps has rubbed off on ya Tweets... now ya wanna take every stray mongrel under your wing!!

Well, at least the Vindicator could fly!!!!
Might look into building one of them one day.
Poor thing sounds like it's needs a home

I think the wings were so huge because they were just changing from bi-planes to mono-planes at the time the Vindicator was designed. They didn't know how to design the things yet. The same can be said of the TBD. The BT-1 was desined in much the same way, but it was developed into the SBD.

As far as the engine goes, I've got no idea why they chose to use one that wouldn't power my electric toothbrush. Must be that technology thing again, it was probably the only half decent engine available in 1936 when the flying brick was designed.

Señor Tweety,

The vindicator was replaced by the SBD and the Helldiver replaced the SBD.. (helldivers were a downgrade from the SBD in many peoples opinions)

The Vindicator was a pre-war product when defense spending was low and technology was just emerging... along with the Brewster Buffalo, P-36, P-40 (which was not near as bad as some of the others) etc...

Around the time war was brewing in Europe technology and extra funds brought about things like the F4F, SBD etc... much to many a pilots glee I am sure!

Ok, just did some research on the Vindicator.

Someone fill me in as to why the wings on this thing are so HUGE!!!!
And from all the engines they could have put in it, why pick the one that could barely run a coffee grinder?

This is still a tentative guys, the Bell is gonna be a killer for me, but a Zero I can bang out in no time, love those 'simple' planes!!

Brewster Buffalo huh?

Ok, I'm off to do some heavy reading on Midway, see how much more I can cram into already overloaded brain.
Guess I could make some space if I remove unneccesary stuff...................like breathing!

BTW, whats the deal with the Vindicators???
Were they THAT big a pig to fly, and if so, why the hell did they replace the SBD with them??

Hmmm Bricks with wings eh Tom........

Jules - I would have rather been in a Buffalo that day than a Vindicator... that would have taken a bigger pair to get off the ground that day... although they were chopped to shreds they did get a few.. says something for the pilots!!! I mean compared to a model 21 they were nothing more than motorized kites!!

Tweets glad you'll be joining us on this onehave you considered the Brewster Buffalo, apparently they played an important role in giving the Japanese zero's something to shoot down at Midway, but that shows the desperation of the Midway defenders at the time, not to mention the bravery of the pilots who took of to fight in an obsolete and completly outclassed machine.......

Thanks Tom-I'll bookmark for future reference. I need to create some files folders-I've got a great collection started on Sherman tanks, Battle of the Bulge, He111's, etc.....so much information avail. today. Adds to the fun of modeling, at least for me.

Tweets - I've heard good about both... the only kit I have built is the 1/32 Hasegawa one (I believe) and that was eons ago in a past life. The Tamiya kit comes with 3 plane markings.. one is a plane from the Akagi, in 1941 which would probably be representative of one from that ship probably in Midway as well... only 6 months between the two...

Sounds good to me Tom.
Do you know if the Tamiya kit is decent?, or is the Hase kit better?

I think I might go with a more 'tame' camo scheme this time, all my attention and skill is being sucked out of me by the Aussie GB Bell 47, besides I like the plain plane look of the Zeke.

Bob - here ya go... it's actually a good resource because it's a write up from Accurate Miniatures on how to assemble to kit... the kit they used is a dash-1 but they are all so similar it will apply for you in most if not all cases... (there is a smidgen on the Avenger when you open it up, the SBD is below that)

http://www.accurate-miniatures.com/builds/sbd/sbdbuild.htm

a shot of an A-4/SBD cockpit

http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/wwii/books/cockpit/small/Douglas%20A-24B%20restored%20to%20SBD-5%20Dauntless.jpg


______________________________________________
unrelated, but here's an A6M3 for those of us building a Zero, should be similar to the A6M2 I'll have to research it...

http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/wwii/books/cockpit/small/Mitsubishi%20Zero%20A6M3.jpg

Tweets - well the info you sent was scribbled on brown butcher paper with crayon so I figured you might have done it yourself.. I'll look in a bit for Midway decals but there IS a set of pearl harbor decals for the model 21, Val, Kate etc.. with decals for one squadron from each of the carriers at PEarl.. which would provide you with decals for one of the carriers at Midway I would think (mine are Shokaku, Pearl Harbor set III).. but I am sure there are Midway decals (some of the Japanese planes even had neat camo too, not the usual ash-grey with plain black nose) I'll let you know, I'll peek in my Tamiya box and see whats in there, it might be something you can use if you buy the Tamiya kit...


BTW - there isn't an official end date yet as we are trying to see how much time everyone needs as there are so many GB's going on right now...

Here's a brief primer on Midway and which planes and in many cases which squadrons were there... There were a few other links posted on the first page or too... hmmm maybe you could do one of those torpedo B-26's??? or for that matter why don't I? anyone know of a halway decent B-26 kit?

Bob- on my IP I airbrushed it black then went over the dials and such with silver artists pencil. The dash-5 I just dry brushed the dials... then you put a drop of future in each dial to make it gloss...

If you want to do the clear bezels and decal thing like the instructions list, some liquid masking would work well... put a drop inside each bezel and let dry... airbrush the IP then with a toothpick, scratch off the liquid mask.. then put the decal behind the panel... I'll see if I can dig up an old reference pic of a SBD cockpit for ya to help ya in painting it.. I had them all bookmarked I just have to see...

Question for any with Accurate Min. SBD experience-what is the best way to handle the clear instrument panel? This is my first experience with a clear ip.

As far as planned progress this weekend-didn't happen. Spent yesterday playing with the digital camera (new purchase) and the rest of the day slipped away. Maybe some interior green goes on today...maybe not.

QUOTE: Originally posted by tho9900 Oh yeah I think I should mention it... Tweety.. you can't build an F-86 CAC for this one if you decide to join... By the way Sean, did you know Kremps participated in the battle as well? she was an AA blimp by her account...

Ok, so there I am perusing the GB forum, and I recall Tom mentioning this one, so I pop in here for a look see, and on page 1 I see Tom telling fibs about the CAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mate, we both know the Sabre was in covert ops during Midway, I sent you the info I wro........erm..........found on the net, and cause it's on the net, it HAS to be true dun it!
Never mind the fact it's my webpage, thats just coincedence!()

Well, whats the finish date on this one guys????
I'd have my eye set on the Type 21, I just love the look of that one.
And time allowing, maybe an F4?

Now I have oodles of info for German a/c, but not a skeric for Japanese a/c, so any pointers on how to research Midway, allowing for the fact I DON'T read Japanese, and are there any decal sets for Midway craft???

Of course, this all depends on whether 'He who must be obeyed' (read-Tom) lets me join, dont wanna seem like a stalker or nuttin'.

[:0] wow!!! ok I feel better!!! that was a close one!!!

Mike Sweet Build mate Now i'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with the Dauntless........