Hello all! Let’s build a dive bomber! Or maybe a bunch of them. I’m really focusing on WWII here but the type did exist prior to the war, so any kits of those airframes would be acceptable also. Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 U.S. dive bombers - Dauntless, Vindicator and Helldiver, 2 British dive bombers - Skua and Barracuda, 1 Japanese - Val, 1 German - Stuka, and 1 Russian - PE2. There were other aircraft that were utilized in a dive bombing role, such as the gorgeous Ju88 that would also be eligible. What would not be eligible would be high level heavies and medium bombers or torpedo bombers (unless said torpedo bomber was also used as a dive bomber).
From Wiki: A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy and limit the exposure to and effectiveness of anti-aircraft fire. This type of aircraft was most heavily used before and during World War II; its use fell into decline shortly afterwards.
Any scale is allowed.
Simple OOB build or add to your build with scratch-built or after-market goodies. Your choice
Multiple entries welcome.
Entries from other group builds are welcome so long as they fit within the rules here.
Time frame: May 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. Can join at any time.
And finally, take lots of pictures, discuss your build(s) and have fun!
This is the badge I came up with. If anyone has a better idea, I’m open to suggestions.
Or here is swingr1121’s badge. Feel free to use which ever badge you want.
Dive Bombers
Kit
Status
Bish
1/72 Ju-88A-4
Not Started
Invertman (Jason)
1/48 Hasegawa Aichi Val
Not Started
Lewbud (Buddy)
1/72 Academy SB2C Helldiver
Not Started
Aggieman (Steven)
1/48 Pro-Modeler Ju-87R2 Stuka
Complete
Warhorse3
1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD-3 Dauntless
Started
Swingr1121 (Mike)
1/48 A-24 Banshee (Dauntless) or 1/48 A-36 Mustang
Being a big fan of the Ju-87 and 88 i am deffinatly up for this one. Pencil me in but i won’t commit until i have caught up with my other GB’s and i know i will have time to build it without deploying abroad. It will either be an 87 or 88 in 1/72nd scale.
I’m waaaaaaay overcommitted with GB’s, but since this is ending in December, I might jump in. I have a devestator in the stash I believe. It’s an old kit, but it might turn out nice. Put me down as tenative.
I’m doing the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 SBD-3. I plan on it being displayed in “Lefty” Holmburg’s markings and in his dive on the Soryu. Started with cockpit clean-up and base coat of green chromate this morning, hopefully I’ll have some time tonight to give it a dark wash to pop out the structural details. I plan on having the interior done this week in order to build the crew figures in the next couple of weeks. At this time I have limited internet access and due to job scheduling I won’t be able to update you for at least 6 days. Happy Modeling! Regards, Bill
Steven, a dive bomber gb sounds like an awesome idea. The dates of the build are good for me as all of the wedding stuff will come to a close on the 2nd of May. Seems like after that time things will be good for me. If I do indeed end up in the build, I’ll probably do either an A-24 Banshee (Dauntless) or an A-36 (Mustang Dive Bomber) just to be different. I’ll defenitely let you know.
As far as a badge for the build, I just threw this together. It seems to catch the essence of the build:
If you like it, great! If not, that’s ok too. Happy Modelling!
Sweet! I am game and love the choice of the SBD as a badge. I will build something else just to be different though-- sign me up for the 1/48 AM Vindicator in Midway markings…
I haven’t modeled for a while, but if I ever get around to it Aggieman, I’ll enter with the Dauntless you sent me for the Secret Santa Group Build. [:-^]. I’ve just been really busy, but I need to get one done for 4-H and the Dauntless looks much less painful than my Kingfisher…
I am heading to the LHS this weekend for their Tax Day special sale. I’ll see what I can come up with. So put me down as a probable, but not sure what yet (most likely in 1/48th whatever it is). My other GB will come first, but I will have no problem making the deadline for this one.
Oops! Maybe I should learn to read. Anyway, that’s as far as I’ve gotten with it due to the past week and a half being completely nuts between work and having to get a new car. So I’ll just hold off until the first to resume. Regards, Bill
Thanks for allowing my silly oversight to slide. Unforunately, with work needing me on an unusual schedule for this coming week, I won’t have much bench time or be able to get back online until saturday the second. I’ll be able to update you then. Regards, Bill
And the winner is!.. 1/48 Hasegawa’s Aichi D3a1 Type 91 Val. I got a killer deal. I thought the Tax Special sale was on one item…nope, ALL white ticket items! The price tag was $42.10, I paid $29.47! My mistake was not taking better advantage of the sale. [:D]
Anyways, The Val will be my entry, and most likely I will attempt the Eduard Photo Etch set for this kit (looks fairly simple, so I should be able to give it a good shot even though I am new to PE).
I have the fuselage closed up-- with no major fit issues-- and the wings are attached. I have some small amount of filling in to do-- but this one is fitting like a Tamiya kit!
From topside–
The office–
The office in the back–
And-- the powerplant–
The gear assembly looks to be intimidating-- but the rest is good. I have finally got around to getting all the pieces to finish the venting for my fume hood-- so once it is done, I’ll paint!!!
I got in the Photo Etch kit for the Val and just picked up the missing paint colors I needed. I was going to wait until the first build of my other GB was done, but now I think I will do both at the same time (or close to it) once I finish my T-34 I am building which is just getting ready to go for paint. So I would say, perhaps, my build for this GB will start withn a week or two.
