SBD advice

[Aptivaboy]

Hi all,

 

I used to frequent these boards quite a lot, but after a death in the family and moving, I've been gone for a long time. Now, I'm back and I have a hankering to build a large Dauntless. I have the rivet decals on order - spendy, but they'll make the 1/32nd Trumpy model look great. Is there anything else that's a "must have" for this kit? She'll be a 1942 Enterprise bird one way or another, either a Midway Dauntless or a Spring, 1942, Dauntless with the oversized war stars. As per my friend, the late aviation author Tom Doll, if the earlier plane then she'll be in a somewhat darker shade of blue grey since that's how those early Enterprise SBDs looked. Anyway, that's the background. Any ideas on must have aftermarket stuff? A new cockpit? Better weapons? Stuff like that. 

 

After this, I might get around to building a 1/48th TBD with nose art that Tom talked about. Apparently, one that flew at Midway and was one of the survivors from the morning mission. As you can tell, I do love Enterprise planes.  

 

Many thanks,

 

Bob

 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Aptivaboy

[LSP_Kevin]

Welcome back, Bob!

 

Kev

[thierry laurent]

Hi,

 

I would say photoetched flaps and cockpit detail sets from Eduard and/or Blackbox/Avionix. Alas finding the cockpit sets became difficult for years. And this is even worse for the SBD5. A master machine gun barrel is also recommended.

 

Hth

 

Thierry

 

 

[Woody V]

You have a PM

[LSP_K2]

Some S.O.W. landing gear might also be good to grab. Eduard canopy masks would also be a must, at least as far as I'm concerned.

[Aptivaboy]

Would the Eduard dive flaps be necessary if I'm posing the model with the flaps closed? There's a ton of detail inside there, and I'm wondering how much of it would be visible through the perforations if the flaps are closed.  

 

Many thanks,

 

Bob

 

 

[LSP_K2]

22 minutes ago, Aptivaboy said:

Would the Eduard dive flaps be necessary if I'm posing the model with the flaps closed? There's a ton of detail inside there, and I'm wondering how much of it would be visible through the perforations if the flaps are closed.  

 

Many thanks,

 

Bob

 

Through those tiny holes? Negligible, I'd think.

[LSP_Ron]

Welcome back Bob,

 

That's actually a great kit.  I wouldn't worry about PE flaps if your having them closed.  I can't say there is any "must have" upgrades for it other than perhaps an aftermarket inst. panel and seat belts. 

[Uncarina]

Welcome back! In addition to the other suggestions, I’d recommend masks for markings such as those by Maketar or Montex. 

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Woody V]

13 hours ago, Aptivaboy said:

Would the Eduard dive flaps be necessary if I'm posing the model with the flaps closed?

 

No. The Archer rivet skins include flaps and you can't see any detail with the flaps/dive brakes closed.

[Smeds]

There is the Merit 1/18 Dauntless 3/4. No AM as I know of, have been searching but found nothing yet. I have found some 1/18 seat belt buckles for cars though, so ordered those.

[Aptivaboy]

Thank you for everyone's help and for your kind words, whether via the forum or the personal messaging system. I lost my Mom a year ago and have been in a funk ever since. I sold my house and moved back to Mom's place to help out with the animals and the finances. Its been... odd, strange and surreal all at the same time.  My mom raised my sister and I alone after Dad died in Vietnam, and somehow we never thought we'd lose her. All I can say is hug your parents while you can. 

 

Okay, sob story mode, "off."

 

Thank you again. I'll do this SBD as a tribute to my friend Tom Doll. Many of you have read his books on Naval Aviation colors (https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AThomas+E.+Doll&s=relevancerank&text=Thomas+E.+Doll&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1) He was one of the first to really research the subject back in the sixties and seventies while working for Lockheed, eventually in the Skunk Works. He had some fun points to make about Area 51 ("There are no damned aliens there!") where he worked while on the F-117 project, and I miss his emails greatly. 

 

Take care all,

 

Bob

[Aptivaboy]

Thanks again to all...

 

I plan on starting the SBD in a week or two. I'm currently working in the Ultimate Endeavour CAD model (those on FB can search that and see what she looks like), and then its on to the early 1942 SBD! 

 

Bob

Edited January 15, 2022 by Aptivaboy