SPA Modeler

Good choice of subject Tom, and great progress thus far!

More updates...

And with a high tech label for each photo

This will be a good one to follow

I like this idea

I'm slowly starting to warm up to using PE if they're included in the kit. I learned to take it slow and piece by piece instead of doing it in one go when gluing them. Tonight, I'm looking to finish off the rest of the harness wiring. It did give me fits when some spots didn't want to hold unless I press it down just a little longer.

Does this mean I'm loving PE? Far from it. As long a it doesn't fight me, it'll be easy knowing how to tame photo etch.

Great stuff Tom!

Here’s a question for you. In a diving attack, did the Helldiver extend both bomb displacement gears out prior to releasing them? I know the Dauntless does with a single bomb but wondered if the Helldiver did with both at the same time. Also, is it common to find them armed with 2 extra bombs on their underwing points during a diving attack? If so, what size bomb did they usually carry externally?

Does anyone have a spare 1/48 scale figure for the rear gunner that you can part with? This kit didn’t even include the rear gunner.

I'm pretty sure the Monogram SBD has a gunner figure, maybe also the original Monogram SB2C.

Pilot is all painted up!

Colors used:

Flat Black base color
Tamiya XF49 Khaki for uniform - lightly airbrushed
Pollyscale Railroad Color CP Yellow for vest
Model Master enamel Russian Earth Grey for shoes/gloves/helmet
Tamiya custom color for straps using XF57 Buff with XF66 Light Grey
Aluminum for buckles

Believe it or not, I used Mr. Color 45 Sail Color for my Flesh color. A much better & realistic shade over using Vallejo Flat Flesh, Dark Flesh, and Badger's Light Flesh.

Two Tamiya Panel Line Accent Colors used:
Brown
Black

Here’s a great photo of WWII USN aircrew. The gunners, being enlisted, usually wore their dungarees as flight clothing. Blue denim pants and light blue chambray shirt. Both usually wore warm weather khaki cloth flight helmets in the PTO