Accurate Miniatures SBD-3 Dauntless question...

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

So I’ve got AM’s SBD-3 all washed and clean and ready to go now that I’m close to finishing up the Mustang, and when I was inspecting the parts trees last night I noticed that the dive flaps are warped. Which seems pretty common according to the internet.

So my questions.

First, does anyone know if Eduard’s PE dive flaps will work with the AM kit? They’re designed for the Hasegawa kit, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t work unless the sizes are crazy off.

Second, if the Eduard flaps aren’t an option, are there any solutions for un-warping the flaps. A lot of the reviews of the kit mention contacting AM for replacements, but I’m under the impression they went out of business?

2

The warped dive flaps is a common problem on the AM kit. I’ve built 2 & on the first I used hot water & bending to take out the warp. I was only about 90% successful. On the second, I used the Eduard PE flaps intended for the Hasegawa kit. It was a big PIA but came out acceptable. I’ve got a third kit in the stash with the same problem & when I build it I think I’ll just glue the flaps closed.

Regards, Rick

3

Thanks, Rick!

If you don’t mind, how were the Eduard flaps a PIA (other than the usual working-with-PE PIA factor)?

Comparing the Eduard instructions and the AM kit, it looks like it’d be possible to just use the PE flaps and not necessarily have to deal with the actuators and whatnot. In other words, just build the flaps and use them as drop-in replacements for the warped ones.

4

The Eduard flaps aren’t qiute a drop in replacement, but if you ignore the actuator detail & just glue them in it wouldn’t be that difficult. I went the long road & used the actuators which was definitely a PIA.

Regards, Rick

5

I distinctly remembered my LHS having a set of the Eduard flaps last time I dug through their PE stash, so I headed up there at lunch, and look what I found:

Eduard flaps for the AM kit aren’t listed on their site, but I’m not going to complain one bit!

6

Congrats !! Should make the bild a lot easier.

Regards, Rick

7

Hello;

I just received the Am SBD-1 Dauntless and Vindicator kit and looking at the dive flaps they are straight. Maybe the problem has been corrected.

Bill