Splash's Airfix 1/72 Dauntless

[splash]

As everyone else is doing Japanese a/c I thought I might even the score with an Airfix 1/72 Dauntless in the colours of US Marine Corps VMSB-232 Similar to this

[Dirkpitt289]

Outstanding Splash.

[splash]

The Airfix SBD-5 Dauntless 1/72

This kit comes from that period between dinosaurs walking on Earth and the invention of the personal computer, I recall first making the kit back in the mid to late 70’s from a time when Airfix still employed the man to make the large scale rivets on all their aircraft kits.

Having said that the kit has aged quite well, my version came in a V.J Day boxed set that I picked up in a Woollworths sale for under £10 (The VJ Day boxed set contained 2 Japanese and 7 US a/c)

On inspecting the kit there are several large sink holes to fix and 300 plus holes will require drilling out on the dive brakes.

So the first thing I have tackled is the dive brake holes, working on the principle, that if I mess up the holes early in the build, I will not be so upset binning the kit.

With a simple twist drill I sat down in front of the TV and carried out the mind numbing experience of drilling out all the holes, the task was made easy by the holes being well defined on the original kit and only took about one hour.

I’m happy with the progress so far and will refrain from binning the kit at this stage.

I now need to do some research into what the cockpit looks like so I can add some detail, for it’s age the cockpit detail is not bad, just not up to todays standards.

[Dirkpitt289]

Nice work so far. Its good that you got the dive flaps drilled out so quickly

[shangos70]

I hated that job when i built mine , then i stuck the wings together and the holes didn't all line up.

[splash]

No progress with any of my models over the last week and this weekend I’m off to London to march at the Cenotaph on Sunday so probably no work until next week.

Regards
Splash

[Dirkpitt289]

Hey Splash, The PE dive flaps fianlly came in for my Dauntless from the Anti-Shipping GB. I hope to get that going again soon. I'll post them if you want me to... Enjoy your weekend.

[Martin R]

I hated that job when i built mine , then i stuck the wings together and the holes didn't all line up.

Shane,

I'm not an expert on the aircraft, but did they line up on the real thing? There's no aerodynamic reason why they should . . .

regards,

Martin

[Dirkpitt289]

I don't have any visual proof but something makes me think they were aligned. I think I've seen a photo but I'm not sure. I have a few publications I could look through.

[Martin R]

Folks,

Finally stirred my lazy carcass and consulted "Douglas SBD Dauntless", Mushroom Models publications No 6123, by Robert Peczkowski.

The lower pic on p.71 shows a pic of the dive brakes and the text, " . . . Note that holes in the upper flap do not line up with the holes in the lower flap".

So, it's fine. Paint the interior of the dive brake section red and carry on!

regards,

Martin

[Dirkpitt289]

Folks,

Finally stirred my lazy carcass and consulted "Douglas SBD Dauntless", Mushroom Models publications No 6123, by Robert Peczkowski.

The lower pic on p.71 shows a pic of the dive brakes and the text, " . . . Note that holes in the upper flap do not line up with the holes in the lower flap".

So, it's fine. Paint the interior of the dive brake section red and carry on!

regards,

Martin

And now we know, and "Knowing is half the battle"

[splash]

Hey Splash, The PE dive flaps fianlly came in for my Dauntless from the Anti-Shipping GB. I hope to get that going again soon. I'll post them if you want me to... Enjoy your weekend.

Hi Dirk

Thanks for the offer of the dive flaps. I'm happy with the way the drilled out holes have turned out so I will stick with what I have.

Hopefully I will be back to the work bench tomorrow and crack on with the kit.

Regards
Splash

[splash]

Thanks Brews & Martin for the info on the dive flaps.

Splash

[splash]

Hi Guys

Sorry I have been distracted, I have just changed my boring old 1000cc family hatch back for a 2000cc Mazdz MX-5 soft top and the competition between staying in and cutting plastic or going out for a spin was a no brainier.

But now I’m back. Over the last two nights I have added card to blank off the wheel wells, moved the ailerons and spent most of the time rubbing back all the rivets on the wings.

I now need to sort out the cockpit as you can see its a bit bare and will need some scratch building, especially around the rear gunners office.

The parts fit for such an old kit is not bad and I think with some work could turn out looking OK.

Regards
Splash

[Dazzled]

You've done a very neat job of drilling out the holes!

Seconded. Great job.