I thought I would share my latest project, another Accurate Miniatures SBD-3 Dauntless. The subject is “B-1” piloted by VB-6 Richard Best off the USS Enterprise during the Battle of Midway. On June 4th 1942, Best flew this machine and gave the Japanese Carrier Akagi it’s death blow by dropping a bomb that pierced it’s upper deck. It’s widely regarded that he helped sink the Hiryu later in the day as well. Like Lofton Henderson’s VMSB-241 Dauntless from the battle I built last year, it’s my pleasure to pay homage to these heros any chance I get.
Reference the kit, I once again got one with the wrong front end parts, so I had to buy a donor kit off ebay. These aren’t exactly cheap either. It’s becoming glaringly obvious why AM went out of business, poor quality control, but it’s still the best SBD in 1/48 scale. I muddled through and got it done. Other than PE belts and resin guns. The rear double gun was from the spare box-from the Great Wall Devastator I think), it’s pretty much out of the box. All markings (except B-1) were painted on with Montex masks.
I continue to experiment with weathering techniques. First with paint fading and then AK enamel washes and streaking. These Enterprise SBD-3 machines were reportedly fairly new, about a month old, so I didn’t go crazy. I probably weathered it too much but I’m happy with it.
A few in progress pics. This is AK Real Colors idea of interior green. I’m not a fan. I think it’s too lime green.
I decided to just paint the engine as is without replacing the wires for a change. The wire are a bit out of scale, but I’m actually pleased with it.
I guess you can’t see too much anyways…
Some exhaust staining…
I actually have to build another on of these down the road. Who would have thought Midway SBDs were so popular. I need a break from this kit for now though.
I do, at the time I couldn’t find one south of $50 dollars though. I ended up finding a SDB2 and 5 packed together without the box and decals for $50 on eBay. Like two for the price of one.
Another win Joe. I do like the treatment on the paint. For a PTO bird…and a new one…definitely not overdone. =D
Regarding your feelings about the AK paint…I’ve recently seen a lot from some of the modelers here with AK true colors line of paints and from you as well. I understand there was a good deal of variation in the standard for a particular color paint due to the carriers and binding agents that were available during wartime production. Also, our cameras and lighting can make a color look a bit different as well when filming…sooo…would you say this is an honest color represented by your picture. When I was looking back at a good reference for Int Green during my Shomo mustang build, I found one in the ANA 611 which looks pretty spot on with what you have here. I mixed it up accordingly:
This looks pretty close to what I see in the pictures above. Is the picture doing it justice or did AK swing and miss? Even so, I imagine we all have a bias to what we want in a color when putting these together. =] Either way I think it worked out perfect Joe. You crush cockpits!
Thanks Britt. Yeah, I think AK swung and missed on the interior green. I like your interpretation better. Where can I get that app? If I could use Tamiya paints exclusively I would.