HiPM SB2U Vindicator

Finally done. One of the toughest models I have ever built. HiPM’s SB2U Vindicator.

It was a fight from the get-go. Parts that were supposed to be round in cross section- weren’t. The canopy is only useful if you plan to pose it closed. It is much too thick. I substituted a vac-formed one from Squadron/Falcon.

I realize it was a limited- run kit, but the molding was terrible.

Some parts in the kit aren’t prototypically correct. I had to scratch build the strut for the bomb trapeze, as the kit’s was not even close to looking right.

Likewise the attachment points for the bomb under the fuselage. Not even close. Same for the tail wheel strut.

From three feet it looks ok. Up close it’s a mess. I am


just thankful it is finished.

7 Likes

Yes I know the feeling some of the limited run kits are tough. Looking good!

1 Like

Better pics.





7 Likes

Scottyguitar-I congratulate you on being able to finish such a horrible limited run kit! It looks good in the photos.

Phillip11

1 Like

Thanks!

I probably spent twice as much time on this kit, most of it spent cleaning copious flash from parts and scratchbuilding things that weren’t correct or missing.

The wings are posed partially open because I liked the photos I saw of Vindicators with partially-folded wings. The manual jacks for the wings look kinda neat. Also , the wing joints were awful and would have taken many hours to get them to look right. (One of the outer wings was 1/8 inches wider at the chord than the wing base at the fold joint.)

2 Likes

Scottyguitar- :+1:

Phillip11

1 Like