1/32 Trumpeter SBD-5 Dauntless

[Pfuf]

The Avenger is the same realy great kit only some attention to the wing fold hinge.

 

I cant say this enough I use waterproof sand paper 400 3M to smooth down the rivets effect all the detail like panel lines get a scharper look.

 

johan

[LSP_Paul]

Very Nicely Detailed cockpit! Great colors and weathering choices too !

Nice to see a Dauntless built for a change! We have an Airworthy and often flown SBD close to here and I was very surprised when I walked up to it for the first time, how small they are, especially compared to the Avenger!

Keep up the great work,

Paul

[smithery]

Glad to see one of the Trumpy blow-out specials being built. I'm sure it will look just as good as your A6M5 when complete.

 

BTW, regarding the price you paid, one of our suppliers had a glut of Trump kits they wanted to get rid of, so they offered them up at 75% our normal cost, and we pounced. I never saw so many $50 Razorback P-47's fly off the shelf so fast. I snagged one and a late F4F-3 Wildcat for myself, but I was lucky enough to take advantage of my employee discount on the already discounted price.

[Bladerunner]

I'm guessing this is a pretty big model yeah??

How does it compare to the Avenger??

 

 

Very Nicely Detailed cockpit! Great colors and weathering choices too !

Nice to see a Dauntless built for a change! We have an Airworthy and often flown SBD close to here and I was very surprised when I walked up to it for the first time, how small they are, especially compared to the Avenger!

 

I've never seen the Trump Avenger built up but I have seen a real one. They are huge machines. I would say this Dauntless would be much smaller than an Avenger.

 

 

Glad to see one of the Trumpy blow-out specials being built. I'm sure it will look just as good as your A6M5 when complete.

 

BTW, regarding the price you paid, one of our suppliers had a glut of Trump kits they wanted to get rid of, so they offered them up at 75% our normal cost, and we pounced. I never saw so many $50 Razorback P-47's fly off the shelf so fast. I snagged one and a late F4F-3 Wildcat for myself, but I was lucky enough to take advantage of my employee discount on the already discounted price.

 

Hi Kev! Yes what a great sale. I am happy to see that you bought something. Hopefully we'll see you building it soon.

[LSP_Paul]

I've never seen the Trump Avenger built up but I have seen a real one. They are huge machines. I would say this Dauntless would be much smaller than an Avenger.

Hi Kev! Yes what a great sale. I am happy to see that you bought something. Hopefully we'll see you building it soon.

Here is our local SBD Im standing about 5 feet from its tail and Im 6ft tall to put things in perspective, standing on the ground the tail isnt much taller then I am. I can easily climb onto the wing and its much to low to the ground to get under the wing let alone the fuselage without crouching very low.. If youd like more detailed pictures let me know.

Very nice work so far.

Paul

[Bladerunner]

Thanks for the compliments guys! I really appreciate them.

 

I am working on bits for the cockpit and the engine. A lot of detail painting. Hopefully I can get all the parts of the cockpit painted and installed in the next week.

 

The engine on this is kit is very nice OOB. I am going to add the plugs and the wiring for them - I have already drilled out holes for the wires on the ignition ring.

 

The exhausts - I really wanted to make them look authentic. The last time I tried to paint an exhaust stack, it just didn't look right. This time I did it differently and I much prefer how this came out - It looks like rust in my opinion:

 

 

What do you think? The openings are just hanging on - they won't be installed permanently until after the engine is installed on the fuselage.

[LSP_Kevin]

Wow, those exhausts look great mate! As does the whole engine.

 

Kev

[LSP_Paul]

Looks good cant wait to see the ignition wiring.

Paul

[Out2gtcha]

I really do like the looks of the engine!

 

I might think about thinning the exhaust wall opening just a bit (or it could be camera angle) but your right the color is spot on. It really does have the right look.

 

Nice work!

 

Cheers,

Brian

[Guest Nigelr32]

You're making me want this kit more and more every time I look at your build....

 

That engine looks sweet. Look forward to seeing your wiring.

 

Edit:- Just got back from my local Model shop, with a SBD-3 Midway edition in my hands!! I need a bigger house lol.

[Bladerunner]

I had a bit of fun with the engine this week. I still might put on another data plate as well as some additional plumbing but here is the result so far.

 

By the way - lead fly fishing thread is so much easier to work with for ignition! The plugs themselves were made from .035 styrene rod.

 

 

Nigel - both versions are nice. I was going to go for the midway version and then decided to go for this one. I think I wanted to do another tri-colour finish.

[LSP_Kevin]

Wow, that engine is superb! Great work.

 

Kev

[Guest Nigelr32]

Wow, that engine is superb! Great work.

 

Kev

 

I think I'll second that!!! Simply Stunning!! I can only dream of getting mine that good....

 

Keep up the good work Bladerunner, and more pics please

[Texas]

Very Nice....That engine looks great....

 

Texas

[Bladerunner]

I screwed up the cowl on this Dauntless. Its my fault. I'll own that.

 

My attempt at fixing it is just terrible. My skills simply will not allow me to properly re-scribe the lost panels lines around the gun troughs. They are compound curves on a compound curve. I just end up with a jagged mess every time I attempt it. I have tried scribers, saws, everything.

 

So... I would like to get a new cowl. Unfortunately Trumpeter is not Tamiya and getting spare parts is not easy. My LHS can't help, I have emailed Trumpeter twice (no answer) and I have tried Stevens. I don't want to buy the model again for 4 pieces.

 

I know this is a LONG shot.... but anyone out there want to sell me a cowl for this model??