Infinity SB2C Helldiver (26 Nov: Finis)

[easixpedro]

Ok, quick descriptor on how I'm making the stamped metal pieces. Biggest stumbling block was the flared edges around the lightening holes. Then an "aha" moment.

 

First, I took a screen grab of the resin offering that I found on Ebay.  Not perfect,  but gives me something to work with, as its almost directly overhead and not too distorted. I enlarged it so that big 'V' shaped part in the middle matched rhe size of the kit offering. Then I just lay a piece of washi tape over the part I want to replicate and trace it. Transfer it to a sheet of styrene and trim to fit. You can see a couple of pieces I'd cut and was fidgeting with to get the size close.

 

After that, I trimmed out the holes and then traced the outline on another bit of scrap styrene.

 

From there I trimmed the outline, leaving about 1mm around the outside edge. Once trimmed, I glued 'em on the intended part.

 

Then its just a matter of trimming back the added piece from the lightening hole, leaving a nice edge around it. I tried just using strips of styrene, but the are soo thin, they tend to snap the second glue was applied. Here's where I'm at, and I think they'll look good under a coat of paint and be mostly covered by bombs in the bay.

 

Still lots to go in the bomb bay, but making progress.  And starting to waiver on what scheme I'm doing. I do love the GSB birds, and love the geometric markings on 'em, but that means a -4 with differentdive flaps. If I can figure out how to do a poll, I might ask for input - otherwise this build might never get completed!

-Peter

[MikeMaben]

Brilliant fix Pete 

[easixpedro]

Occasionally I get ahead of myself.

 

This is one of those times. But it looks good under paint 

 

Still have another bulkhead to make and have another go at rivets. I was using the quick set JB Weld and think maybe the standard curing stuff would provide more working time than 6 minutes...

 

Still need to make bomb racks and then the hydraulic lines. There's about eleventy-billion running through the bomb bay. I'll make enough to make it look the part. A thousand pounder really takes up the space and hides everything. Although I'm debating having it swinging out on its brace. Still debating that though. 

-Peter

[denders]

I just finished reading through Squadron’s latest version SB2C book. While I know about the various Corsair, Avenger, and Wildcat builders, I wasn’t aware that Canadian Car and Foundry (SBW-4) and Fairchild of Canada (SBF-4).

[easixpedro]

11 hours ago, denders said:

I just finished reading through Squadron’s latest version SB2C book. While I know about the various Corsair, Avenger, and Wildcat builders, I wasn’t aware that Canadian Car and Foundry (SBW-4) and Fairchild of Canada (SBF-4).

Aye, tis true and it always trips me up.  I'll read a history and wonder what an SBW is, then suddenly remember that it's the USN's weird a/c nomenclature before McNamara standardized it across the services.

[denders]

There are a lot of old, weird designation schemes out there from before WWII. The thing I find interesting is the letter 'F' for Fairchild of Canada. 'F' was Grumman's letter in the designation scheme. It's the first time I've seen a letter double used. Then again, I've haven't gone looking for doubles. This one just jumped right out.

[easixpedro]

So scrolling through a bunch of pics I've saved over the years while looking for detail shots of the bomb bay.  Thought I'd share some of the Beast in action.  Of course these aren't helping me decide which scheme I want to do.

 

Late July 1945 strike on Kure.  Halsey and Nimitz wanted to destroy the IJN before the war ended, so mounted massive strikes on the inland sea.  I can't remember how many a/c were lost, but it wasn't a small amount, to destroy a fleet that was stuck at anchor due to mines an lack of fuel. And within 3 weeks of the war ending. And it's a few days after the strike on Yokuska (that I did in 1/48th last summer).

 

Here's some Randolph -4s (VB-16) bombing a frieghter off the Northern coast in early July as 5th Fleet ranged up and down Honshu.  IIRC, it's pretty close to where Misawa AFB is located now.  I don't know why I'm fascinated with the Randolph's markings, but I am.

 

Same pic, just zoomed in.

 

And lastly, here's a great war weary shot of some Essex Hellidivers.  Check out the replacement outer wing on the closest Beast. Apparently from an Intrepid bird.  Also the redone Modex/side number.

 

And another pic in that series. Being escorted by some Corsairs!  Super cool. And lots of details to absorb: #311 is a SB2C-4E, noted by the lack of yagi antenna. Also note the missing fairing on the tailwheel.  I also can't figure out why some squadrons have a white spinner, half white/blue and all blue. No serious rhyme or reason in that regard.

 

-More to follow, really need to decide what scheme I'm doing.  Otherwise I'll be building a couple more of these to do one from Randolph, Yorktown, Hancock, Tico.  (Might as well do all the fast carriers.  Ever read that children's book, "If you give a mouse a cookie?" It's like that. Start building one Beast and next thing you know, you'll need a Hellcat/Corsair, then an Avenger. Then a deck scene with a 1/32 5" mount. Then a 40mm Bofors...)

-Peter

[easixpedro]

Well, just found some PE dive brakes for cheap. They’re on their way…of course I intended to make a -1C or a -3. The kit dive brakes can easily be modified for those (maybe I’ll show how when I get there).

 

With a -4, doing a bird from VB-3 is high on my list. That’s the markings in the venerable 1/48th kit.

 

Now, if you’re wondering why VB-3, they were pretty famous in NavAir. Eventually became VA-35, which most know as the Black Panthers from their Intruder days.

 

One of my Prowler squadrons inherited their callsign, “Raygun” which had supposedly been used since Midway. Old wife’s tale? Maybe. But still pretty cool legacy.

 

So these markings are high on the list!

-Peter

[JayW]

So crew of two - what did the guy in the back to?

[MikeMaben]

Well, he did have a gun ...

 

 

 

[spyrosjzmichos]

Great work so far Peter!

Nice scratch building, too!

[easixpedro]

7 hours ago, JayW said:

So crew of two - what did the guy in the back to?

I think the official title was Radioman/Gunner. Did both of those, and operated the radar.

 

The actor Paul Newman was a radioman/gunner, in Avengers I think. He was enroute to the Bunker Hill as a replacement from the states, when his pilot developed a cold in Guam. Delayed their arrival by a few days and in the interim that’s when Bunker Hill took the Kamikaze. Most of the aviators were killed, including all the replacements he had shipped over with. Crazy story, but shows the fickle finger of fate.

[Derek B]

Awesome work Peter - I need to make an HAF one at some future point in time!

 

  

 

Derek

[JayW]

2 hours ago, easixpedro said:

radioman/gunner,

No expert on the Helldiver but are there guns at that aft position?

[easixpedro]

10 hours ago, JayW said:

No expert on the Helldiver but are there guns at that aft position?

Yup! Here’s a great pic I posted earlier. The area just behind the aft cockpit collapses like an accordion to give the  guns a clear field of fire (if that was possible with the big honkin’ tail right there).

and of course look at the gunner…essentially a kid.

-Peter