Flight 19: Lost in the Bermuda Triangle.
Credit: Accurate Miniatures
And the 65 year anniversary of Pearl Harbor.....
SBD-1 Dauntless & SB2U-3 Vindicator. Marines at Pearl Harbor
Credit: Accurate Miniatures
SBD "Dauntless" Update
During the first part of 1996, parts requests for specific components
in the Accurate Miniatures SBD "Dauntless" kits caused us to study the
kits that were in production. This study highlighted that specific version
parts required to build a specific kit were not mated correctly in some
instances. As a result, all further production was halted until the molded
part trees and assembly plan could be studied and modified.
1.) Assembly plan references to existing kits may use letter and number part
references. Disregard the letters and reference by part number.
2.) One main area of contention was part #83, Carburetor Air Scoop. In every
version, these parts are referenced as part #83, but, they vary by version.
A.) The tallest air scoop is used ONLY on SBD-1 versions. Beginning
with the release of kit # 0251, this part is renumbered as #183
B.) The shorter air scoop is used on all SBD-2, SBD-3, SBD-3A, and
SBD-4 versions. Future kits will reference this as part #283
C.) The part with no air scoop is specific to the SBD-5. This part will
be numbered as #583.
3.) In the SBD-3A, the inclusion of the twin gun parts eliminates the early prop
spinner, part #45. This part has been recut on the early prop tree and retains
#45 for all future production.
4.) There are two parts #6. This is the Top Gun Cover. The shorter part is used on
all versions SBD-1 through SBD-4. The longer part #6 is used ONLY on the SBD-5.
Future molded trees will renumber this longer part as #506.
5.) The Outer Cowls are #4 and #5. These parts with a small notch at the top of the
part are used in all SBD-1, -2, -3, -3A, and -4 versions. These part numbers will
be retained.
6.) The Outer Cowl #4 and #5 molded without the small notch are used ONLY on the
SBD-5. Future production will be numbered #504 and #505.
7.) The Inner Cowl #17L and #17R with the wide cowl flap details are related to parts
#4 and #5. These parts are used in all SBD-1, -2, -3, -3A, and -4 versions.
8.) The Inner Cowl parts #17L and #17R with the narrow cowl flap are used ONLY on
the SBD-5 version. These parts will be renumbered #517L and #517R.
9.) Finally, some kits of the SBD-3A (with twin guns) and the early Prop did not
include parts #44, Gun Mount, and #46, Gun Shield (shown as "unnumbered")
These parts have been relocated so that they will be molded next to the twin guns.
These changes should resolve incorrect parts in all future production SBD kits.
