1/48 Accurate Minitures SBD Dauntless (Midway)
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 11:34 pm
The 1/48 Revellogram Spitfire MK II was the first kit I built when I got back into this hobby. It was painted with a borrowed Badger 250 single action airbrush and a propellant can. The second build was the now defunct Accurate Miniatures SBD-1 which came in a plain cardboard box that I pilfered from my buddy's kit stash. Not to bash Revell, but I couldn't believe the difference in mold technology between the two. I believe it was the first cockpit I ever "washed" too, but I couldn't tell you how I did it. These kits, and a few others, served as stepping stones to the modeling I'm still doing almost 12 years later. I'm by no means Master Class and still consider myself an average modeler at best, but I think I've picked up a few tricks along the way.
Anyways, now that I'm done reminiscing, I figured I would have another crack at the Accurate Miniatures Dauntless, this time the SBD-3. I've had the "Battle of Midway" Dash 3 which I got off Ebay in my stash for a few years now. The kit was gotten cheap because someone started painting it, but the seller did include a nice Eduard PE interior set which was a nice surprise.
Accurate Miniatures was second to none when it came to researching their subjects. This one is no exception. Its an absolute shame they closed up shop. This particular kit comes with markings for all VB-3 Dauntless bombers from the Carrier Yorktown during the Battle of Midway. I figure I'll do this plane right here (below), piloted by Paul "Lefty" Holmberg. On June 4th of 1942, Holmberg delivered the first blow on the Japanese fleet by being the first to drop a bomb on the "Soryu". Its time I pay homage to those brave men who would avenge Pearl Harbor and turn the tide in the Pacific war for good.
On this build I used the included PE in the cockpit. There is a tutorial on how I did this cockpit over in the tips section.
Accurate Miniatures does provide an engine wiring harness, but its way overscale so I scratchbuilt a new one with stryrene rod and stereo wire.
......and after a Detailer wash and a shot of Tamiya Smoke. There's a more in-depth tutorial for this one over in the tips section as well.
I think its an improvement...
The only other additions were Quickboost gun barrels and a PE sight for rear 30s. I had some issues with the kit insignia decals, which would not unwrinkle. Otherwise, I found they build rather enjoyable. Here's it is finished.
Thanks for looking....
Joe
Anyways, now that I'm done reminiscing, I figured I would have another crack at the Accurate Miniatures Dauntless, this time the SBD-3. I've had the "Battle of Midway" Dash 3 which I got off Ebay in my stash for a few years now. The kit was gotten cheap because someone started painting it, but the seller did include a nice Eduard PE interior set which was a nice surprise.
Accurate Miniatures was second to none when it came to researching their subjects. This one is no exception. Its an absolute shame they closed up shop. This particular kit comes with markings for all VB-3 Dauntless bombers from the Carrier Yorktown during the Battle of Midway. I figure I'll do this plane right here (below), piloted by Paul "Lefty" Holmberg. On June 4th of 1942, Holmberg delivered the first blow on the Japanese fleet by being the first to drop a bomb on the "Soryu". Its time I pay homage to those brave men who would avenge Pearl Harbor and turn the tide in the Pacific war for good.
On this build I used the included PE in the cockpit. There is a tutorial on how I did this cockpit over in the tips section.
Accurate Miniatures does provide an engine wiring harness, but its way overscale so I scratchbuilt a new one with stryrene rod and stereo wire.
......and after a Detailer wash and a shot of Tamiya Smoke. There's a more in-depth tutorial for this one over in the tips section as well.
I think its an improvement...
The only other additions were Quickboost gun barrels and a PE sight for rear 30s. I had some issues with the kit insignia decals, which would not unwrinkle. Otherwise, I found they build rather enjoyable. Here's it is finished.
Thanks for looking....
Joe
At least we can still find these great kits on Ebay at reasonable prices. I found the Coral Sea addition there for 23 bones last month. 