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Academy SB2C-4 Helldiver 1/72nd, Yorktown, 1945


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Here's my take on the Academy Helldiver, a VB-3 machine flying from USS Yorktown.

 

Nice kit to put together, no problems apart from some trouble with gloss varnish, but that was probably me! Build thread over on the 'Radial Engines Rock' GB.

Kit decals, Vallejo ModelAir paint.

Didn't use all the stencils, got bored with that part of the build very quickly!

 

DSC_0001DSC_0002DSC_0003DSC_0004DSC_0005DSC_0006DSC_0007

 

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Davey,

 

Ditto what the others have said- very nice Beast! Just a suggestion to make your build even better. Academy was the only 1/72 kit maker of the SB2C that got the slats on the wings right- they were mechanically linked to the landing gear so that when the undercart was extended, the slats were extended as well- so, on the ground the slats were out, but I imagine they could be secured up for maintenance or another reason. The Helldiver had a bad reputation early in its career, but once the many bugs had been worked out and the aircrews spent enough time in them, they came to appreciate its performance and ruggedness. It's a shame so many aerodynamic compromises had to be made in its design to cater to the  Navy's requirements that it fit on the elevators of the Essex class carriers. I have attached a link to a good description of the Beast as well as photos showing the slats. Very nice model!

Mike

http://www.airvectors.net/avsbd.html#m6

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii120/Duggy009/Duggy009-2/SB2C/SB2C-1CofBombingSquadronTwoVB-2picturedaftertakingthebarrieraboardUSSHornet.jpg

http://www.aviation-history.com/curtiss/sb2c-7a.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii120/Duggy009/Duggy009-2/SB2C/SB2C-1C-helldiver-colour-1.jpg

 

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Thanks for the comments people.

 

Mike, this just shows how much research I do on a subject! I don't particularly specialise in a subject, just buy and build what I fancy ( my first WNW kit next up I think ). Thanks for the info. I don't remember if the instructions mentioned this or not and I'll probably try to actually do a bit more research next time!

 

Davey.

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1 hour ago, DaveyGair said:

Thanks for the comments people.

 

Mike, this just shows how much research I do on a subject! I don't particularly specialise in a subject, just buy and build what I fancy ( my first WNW kit next up I think ). Thanks for the info. I don't remember if the instructions mentioned this or not and I'll probably try to actually do a bit more research next time!

 

Davey.

No need to explain- I can't tell you how many times things like this have been pointed out to me as 'by the way'  from experienced model-builders or others who have a great deal more knowledge on a  subject than I; that's the beauty of the internet and sites like BM- there are so many people who are quick to share their information and ways to improve your modeling skills and models. Can't wait to see your next project!

Mike

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Beautiful job Davey. Between you and Cookie i'm tempted to pull my partially-built one outa the stash. For me its been largely a matter of which "G-Symbol" i want to depict on my model, as i am slowly building a collection....

 

-d-

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3 hours ago, Cookenbacher said:

That's a great Helldiver Davey - do I recall correctly that you did the demarcation between the Inter. Blue and dark blue free hand? Very impressive.

 

Thanks for the info links Mike!

Kind of like that Cookie!  I started with Blu-Tack for the demarcations, but they still looked too hard edged so did the edges again freehand, then just had to touch up some bits of splatter with a brush.

 

It really is a great kit, just wish Airfix would do their panel lines like that!

 

Davey.

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Nice job on this Davey, as the others have said. I've just had a look at one of mine & the instructions are less than helpful in the way that the either/or options  for the slats both show the U/C down, unless one is blessed with the sort of knowledge Mike has shared, how the heck is one to know? :unsure: Either way, I'll be happy if I can turn out something a nice as yours. :)

Steve.

 

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