Group;

I'm more of a ship guy when it comes to my kits, but was given this Revell SBD Dauntless in 1/48 scale as a gift. My friends know I love anything that has to do with model builds of USN, IJN and a host of other navies.

I'm up for tha challange and need a bit of a break from an IJN ship I'm getting parts and research on.

This is what I have:

1. The kit is very basic and has a bit of flashing that really needs to be cleaned up. All the parts are molded sharp and clear, but again very basic.

2. Cockpit and tub are plain and to the point. I would like to dress this up and any input would be great.

3. Any type of after market parts for this kit or that will work with this kit and what company produces them?

4. I'm OK with scratch-building and look forward to using this kit to experiment. What areas can use some scratch-building?

5. Can you point me to a possable build log for this kit or same aircraft from another company that I could review?

Any intel from the group on this project would be great.

Respectfully

Sam M

Hi Sam

I can thoroughly recommend Squadron's "Walk Around #33" - it shows masses of detail you can add to the cockpit, engine and undercarriage - and if you are happy to do some scratch-building, the price of the book could be more than justified by what you save on aftermarket stuff.

All the best

Rowan

Rowan;

Thank you for the info. I just downloaded some on line info about the Dauntless also. Just getting my research together. Any leads on what companies carry after market goods for this type and scale of aircraft?

Sam

Hi again

I'm guessing this is a re-issue of the old Monogram kit. I've looked on Squadron and they have a vacuformed canopy designed for the kit and True Details resin wheels for any Dauntless kit. They also have plenty of Eduard etched sets, but they are designed for the later Hasegawa and Accurate Miniatures models, so there's no guarantee they'll fit (at all) without a considerable amount of work.

All the best

Rowan

Rowan;

Thank you for your help and I will follow your lead. It is the re-issue kit and I'm up for the challange. I have nothing but time and this kit will push me to really try and take my time on scratch-building.

Hope to have some photos up as the work comes along.


Sam

Hi Samuel:

The kit you have actually scales out to about 1/50. You would save yourself a ton of work and effort by getting the accurate miniatures kit of the SBD. I have built the Hasegawa, Accurate Miniatures and the Monogram. AM and Hasegawa both are fine kits.

Build the Revell one out of the box for an enjoyable easy build, and for detail and display get either the A/M or Hasegawa.
Good Luck
Best
Mark

Mark;

Thank's for the info and after researching for after market parts, there is not much out in the world for this kit. So........I need to take the plung and go for scratch-building areas that I want to improve.

I started looking at the kit and started taking notes and marking areas that will need re-work. I'm up for it and plan on making the most of it and learning some new building skills.

The twin 0.3 guns on the kit are just flat plastic. Any ideas on improving the guns? I will also need to work out a way of building a tub for the rear gunner.

Sam

Group;

I just found on line the 1/48 SBD Dauntless detail set from Verlinden. They state that modifications might have to be done to the kit to make them fit correctly. I fully am up for the challange.

Do you think this detail set will work with the Revelle kit? Any input, advice, feedback would be great before I order it. It is going for about $27.

Thanks

Sam