This is what I’ve been messing around with this weekend. I found it in a local gift shop at the Olympic Airfield here in Washington.
The previous owner had made extensive notes (including drawings) on how he had planned to scratch build the details. I decided it would be a waste to not use them. However, the orriginal mold was released in 1968 by Airfix before MPC reboxed it in 1982. It’s not in the best of conditions and has sink marks and misaligning parts.
So far I’ve spent more time lining things up than scratch building anything, but I’ve made the radio rack, life raft stowage tube, and the MG shields. Already a big improvement. So one picture to show for the hours of work spent on this project.
You can’t even see the radio boxes lol. All that white blends together. But that’s a start.
I forgot to mention the scribing of the cowl flaps and scratch built exhaust tubes as well.
Hey Mike. I built a bunch of MPC kits when I was a teenager. They were cheap and available, so that is what I got. From what I remember, they were skimpy on detail, and didn’t always fit so well. But…I also did a terrible job on them. Still, they were fun for me at that time. I still have some MPC kits in my stash.
I am really interested to see what you can do with this kit. Sounds like some wrestling is in order just getting it together. Plenty of scratchbuilding opportunity, so I think you will enjoy it. Already looks much improved!
Thanks D. With this one I’m going with the “choose your battles” attitude lol. Aside from the alignment issues this kit has it’s GED (Good Enough Detail) so some scratch building will make it much better. I’m trying really hard to keep as much rivet detail as I can, but it is a battle. Ive decided against going full tilt on it though as I think it’s more trouble than it’s worth in overall investment time, but some details that can be seen (and should be) will be handled.
Getting this build into shape has been the main focus so far. The propeller is UGLY but I don’t think I have a poper replacement. Well… Maybe I do.
My Hobby Boss P-47 came with two and I’m not using the second one…
The engine needs a bit a work as well… might have some ideas…
Mike, I admire your willingness to bring older kits to life. I have a tendancy to get excited about newer kits. I’ve always liked the SB2C, because it certainly looks intimidating.
That Hobby Boss prop was just the thing I needed! Now it’s a -5 instead of a -3 and it looks waaaay better than the kit prop did. It’s also the right size as the kit prop was a bit small.
I will follow this one. I completed the MPC TBD last winter. Not bad kits becasue they are so plain. I would like to find the MPC SBD, it seemed to have the most accurate lines.
You know, one of these days you are going to start with a post saying “I found this old sheet of plastic…” and fifty posts later, there’s a fully detailed B52 or something!! Helldiver’s looking good so far
I’ll be following along! I have Dragon’s 1/72 scale offering in my stash for two years now, and I’ve been searching for any Helldiver built on here , but I think this will be the first! Looking good so far!
