Battle of Midway Aircraft Group Build

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.

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

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

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

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

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....

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.

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.

Wow a lot of SBD questions... yes on the SBD-2 and up the entire cockpit including the floor was zinc chromate... in the -1 it was aluminum from the looks on the Acc Mini online build...

as far as the decal, if the blue is a different color than the fuselage that would be ok as the rudders were freshly painted upon arriving at the island very shortly before Midway itself... Bob's idea would work well too... maybe even be more realistic if you wanted to face masking those stripes out...

Pete that future is a life saver!!! (and a time saver as well) use it to make your canopies shine, use it on the body to have a smooth place for the decals to sit down nice on, after weathering you can put another coat on top to protect the decals and paint... I futured over a decal on my SBD and decided mid decaling to switch to an aftermarket set I had... it was almost impossible to get the decal I had futured over off!!!finally went the windex route and took the future off for the Micro-sol to dissolve it...

Good luck with all these SBD's!!! I am looking forward to seeing them all!

QUOTE: Originally posted by tho9900 Wow a lot of SBD questions...

...hmmm...do I detect an 'all SBD' Group Build in our future? I have an opening in mid 2006 at the current rate....

hmmm... I do have an extra dash-5 in the closet here.. although I was thinking of doing it in RNZAF garb...

here's a link to the noseart I am going to attempt to recreate...

http://www.cbrnp.com/profiles/quarter2/sbd-5_nz5057.htm

but of course Hobby Lobby will have another 1/2 off sale I am sure and I could get another one hmmmm....

QUOTE: Originally posted by tweety1 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.....................

Yeah but the old girl can still rub the ointment in like a spring chicken despite the missing couple of fingers

lol! You're just full of them this morning Jules!! Well full of something... again, good to see you back yacking... I had wondered where you have been...

QUOTE: Originally posted by j.s.harrison QUOTE: Originally posted by tweety1 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..................... Yeah but the old girl can still rub the ointment in like a spring chicken despite the missing couple of fingers

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, that would explain why the staff always called her Knuckles!
It's slowly coming together.
She's had a hard life, but her heart is pure
Pure vodka that is!!!!!!!!
Medicinal my butt, she drinks like a fish and leaks like a sieve!
Gotta love the ol' bat.

to hear of your puter problems Jules, and you'll probably find it was some 13 year old script kiddy, the result of dodgy parenting I reckon.

Still looking for a decent A6M2 kit to build, Hase seems the best choice, but oddly enough it is also the most expensive here, and I would order it cheaper from Squadron, but they royally stuffed my last 2 orders, and I just can't trust em anymore

Might have to do an American a/c, but only under duress of course!!!!!

that Tamiya kit is nice as well Tweets... not as detailed as some of the rest but with an ultracast seat and tires I think you would be happy enough with it!!! looks like some smooth sailing with it!!

Hmmmmm, smooth would be a good thing at the moment.

So those Ultracast seats are the schiznit eh??

oh yeah! they look good and a lot easier than PE.. if you wanted a fun, quick build that still looks good through the canopy and outside as well, I think this would be one... I think I am going to go with the tires and seats from ultracast for most of my builds from now on...

We have liftoff. After some painting, dry brushing, decaling, etc., finely glued some plastic together. After using the Acc. Min. instructions, I was glad that I had printed the 'on-line build' to use as a reference for part placement. But everything went well-after reviewing the pics, probably a little heavy on the dry brushing. Will know better next time....Also figured out how to use the macro, so without further adu....





btw-ordered some PE prepainted seat belts-looks like another challenge....

WOW!!!! A) that is one great looking cockpit you got going there and B) your photo's are fantastic.

I must agree Bob!!! you've got that camera working for ya now!!! looks GREAT!

how did you end up doing the IP??? looks very good.. crisp details!

Definitelt looking good... relish the moment though... once you close the fuselage only you will know how much went into the cockpit area alone... (thats enough in my case.... makes you feel good that it looks good, even if noone else can see more than the seats and control yokes...

I think so Tweets... I mean once you close the fuselage on most of these birds the most strikeing interior part that can be seen is the seat...

Tell ya what I am painting the seat for my P-47 tomorrow after work and will post the pic here.. (for a diff GB but what the hey?) in my opinion it blows the seat for the Typhoon away... very sharp lines and good detail! a lot better than fidgeting with PE belts IMHO... plus like I said.,. to me they look more 3D... will post them tomorrow night.. plus the bonus od 2 seats.,.. one fot the build, one for the spares box is nice!

Well guess who dropped in? If it ain't old Tanky. Nice looking progress there bob. I agree, PE seat harnesses are a pain. I spent 2 hours working with some, and the still don't look quite right. I see Kremps frequents the Midway and Aussie forums too.

EXCELLENT pit and pics Bob!!!
Really like the panel mate, well done!

Tom, yeah, I'm interested in the pics you'll post mate, like you said, the seat is the first thing most people notice, so it has to look good, otherwise it just ruins the 'look'.

QUOTE: Originally posted by tho9900 how did you end up doing the IP??? looks very good.. crisp details!

Thanks all-appriciate the comments.

I started by Futuring the IP, masking the dials, painting the front with the intent of putting the decals on the back, per instructions. However, upon closer review, the decal didn't sync up with the dials. Then just cut the decal into individual dials & applied with a bit of Solvetset & Future for the glass. Dry brushed the toggle switches.

Yea, gonna be a bummer to button it up and not see everything, but we all know its there....

Looks good Bob. I just button mine together myself and I did have to cut my decals out to make them fit right.

Thad

I am painting the P-47 seat tonight to should hav pics so those interested in the ultracast seats can see them.. (Can someone tell that guy Tweety because we are not talking to one another again... he's a Kremps stealer) Just have to get a reference pic to see what color the pipe frame of the seat was... zinc chormate or aluminum...

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tankmaster7 Well guess who dropped in? If it ain't old Tanky. Nice looking progress there bob. I agree, PE seat harnesses are a pain. I spent 2 hours working with some, and the still don't look quite right. I see Kremps frequents the Midway and Aussie forums too.

good to see you visit us Tanky!!! yeah Kremps gets around... it's been her problem for a long time!!!

Good looking progress on your SBD bobbaily. The dry-brushing looks good.

Bob, great looking progress on the cockpit, well done

Tom, according to my references on the P-47 the pipe frame around the seat was aluminum on the vertical struts and green on the horizontal top bar. BTW, P-47 cockpits were painted a deep green color and not ZC primer. Tamiya XF-26 is a pretty good match for this.

Cheers
Darren

thanks Darren!! ... I saw that last night.,.. for being a popular plane there wasn't much easiliy available on the net... wierd... I'll have to respray the cockpit tonight...

BTW: what does our Buffalo will us today? (re: your Babelfish spanish translation from the BoB build)