Chuck's SB2U-1 Vindicator in 1/72 scale *Finished*

[Chuck Finley]

My second build will be a Vought SB2U-1 Vindicator flown by Lt. Cdr. H.D. Felt, VB-2, USS Lexington, 1939.

[Molly-new]

Love that colour scheme.

[Chuck Finley]

Interior painting is finished and the canopy is masked. In addition, the upper wing and tail have been painted white in preparation for their final chrome yellow/lemon top coat.

[Softscience]

Huh! I also have a SH Vindicator 1, but the pieces in my kit look a lot different. You must have a newer moulding.

[Chuck Finley]

Huh! I also have a SH Vindicator 1, but the pieces in my kit look a lot different. You must have a newer moulding.

You are correct. This version of the Vidicator was released last year. I had built the SB2U-3 with Midway markings when it came out years ago which is why I didn't get the recent release.

[Softscience]

Was there anything particularly tricky with the older version when you built it?

[Chuck Finley]

Was there anything particularly tricky with the older version when you built it?

Understand I built the dash 3 when it first came out and don't remember having any problems. Of course, I also beat a Roden He-111e into shape a couple months ago and tend to take hard to build kits as a challenge. I will not let the kit win in that case. Anyway, here are some pictures of the SB2U-3 in Midway markings.

[Chuck Finley]

Initial build is finished and tomorrow I'll attach the canopy and add a second coat of whit to the wings and tail.

[Softscience]

-3 looks great. -1 is shaping up nicely too. I only wish SH included a multi-piece cockpit with the model. Seems a shame that most of the 72nd scale kits of aircraft with rear gunners force you to build with the guns stowed.

[johnsan]

Oh, I like that Midway -3. Do you remember what paints you used?

[Chuck Finley]

Oh, I like that Midway -3. Do you remember what paints you used?

Aeromaster paints for standard USN early war camo:

Non Specular Blue-Grey over Non-specular light grey.

Since Aeromaster has gone kaput, I recommend White Ensign or Xtracolor for the paints.

[Chuck Finley]

-3 looks great. -1 is shaping up nicely too. I only wish SH included a multi-piece cockpit with the model. Seems a shame that most of the 72nd scale kits of aircraft with rear gunners force you to build with the guns stowed.

And that is why I never invested in the photo etch set Special Hobby just put out. After one to many aircraft with killer cockpits that cannot be seen with a closed canopy, I only go with prepainted seatbelts. Those, you can see through a closed cockpit.

[Chuck Finley]

Basic build is complete, wings are chrome yellow and tail is lemon yellow. The kit has been masked and primed for the aluminum portions.

[AndrewR]

Nice and bright!

[Clashcityrocker]

Great colours!

Nigel