I am building the Monogram Classics SB2C Helldiver kit at 1/48 (Kit #0069). It looks like an old kit, but the copyright is 1999. This is essentially a re-release of one of the 1970s SB2C kits (Kit #s PA69-149 or PA69-150).
Anyhoo, since I want to build this one with the wings folded it has become clear that some parts are missing if I want to achieve this somewhat respectably. I’d prefer not have to build from scratch, but rather acquire similar pieces and shape as/if needed.
I know Monogram makes two other versions of the SB2C Helldiver kit at 1/48, one of them being a ProModeler release. I’m not sure what the actual names of these interior wing support pieces are, but I have circled them below in the picture. They will be painted interior green / zinc chromate of course.
If anyone has the instructions to either of these two kits, could you please provide me with the kit number and part numbers for these four parts?
Thanks! And if anyone thinks similar parts from yet another kit might help here as well, I am all ears.
I have the Promodeler kit but the wings on that kit aren’t designed to fold, so the parts you need are not included. Have you looked for aftermarket photoetch or resin wing fold accessories? I doubt they would be available for the old Monogram kit, but I think something may have been released for the Promodeler kit, which might work. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
I haven’t looked at an “old” Monogram Helldiver kit in a long time, but I thought the wings had hinges so they could fold. I remember the working bomb bay with trapeze and the retractable main gear. I think I have a “bagged” kit some where. I’ll check it out when I get back home next week. I get home Tues. morning and that being Mardi Gras Day, I’m heading downtown to catch the last Parades and enjoy a couple or six cold ones! So it will be Wed or Thur before I get back with you.
Quagmyre, try the Revell-Monogram Website. They may be able to send the missing
parts to you if the kit is that recent. Just because the kit is OOP does not neccessarly mean that they don’t have a few spares laying around. I had that problem a few years ago with one of my NASCAR kits with the body, it was the T-bird body that had gone oop but they still were able to send me a new one. Good Luck.
Yes the wings on this kit are designed to fold, but there’s nothing to cover the big voids in the wings as a result. The kit calls for not glueing the wings in place so they are movable. More of a build a toy rather than build a model type kit.
I plan to go to the Revell-Monogram website as soon as I get kit and part numbers if they exist.
As for PE parts I have the the Eduard PE parts for the ProModeler kit, and plan to use those parts where I can on this SB2C kit. Nothing in the PE kit resembles these interior wing support pieces, unfortunately. DOH!
As for wing fold specific parts/kits/conversions, I’ve looked, and the closest things I can find that might be compatible are a resin wing fold kit from Cutting Edge for the F8F Bearcat, and Airwaves PE wingfold details for the F9F Panther. Might be able to shape the Bearcat resin parts ($$$), but the less expensive Panther PE parts are a complete crapshoot.
This is the kit I’m looking to see if there are wingfold fences / interior supports parts for.
I think this is kit #6831. Not sure.
According to my references Monogram, Revell, Marusan, Nichimo, and RSL all manufactured this kit at one time or another at 1/48. Maybe a SB2C 1/48 kit from one of these manufacturers has them. Need the part number.
The original Monogram Helldiver kit did not have any parts to represent the inner structure of the wings that you want to replicate. Had there been any, they would have just been in the way of the folding ‘mechanism’.
As mentioned above, the newer kit (read ProModeler) does not give the option for folding wings. And these are the only two 48th SB2C’s to have been made. So your only option is to scratchbuild or try and find some resin or brass fixins, although I’m not sure if anyone makes any for this area of the Beast.
I think I’m on my third Dremel Tool. But I’ve used it working on my vehicles, like cuttling ehaust clamps and pipes, drilling out broken bolts in hard to reach places. Comes in handy on models opening up some of those intakes on WW II radials and thining down parts or inside of fuselage to get a good fit.
Oh, back to the main subject! The old Monogram Helldiver was more of a scale toy, but they were fun when I was growing up in the 60’s. I doubt if there were any parts to detail the wing fold. There wasn’t any on the Corsair or Wildcat either. I have both of those I built way back when. A Dauntless that I repainted also.
Just happened to remember that the old Monogram TBD-1 Devastator kit was recently reissued and it did contain the internal ribs for the wing-fold. I don’t know if they would fit in the Helldiver, but you might get lucky. The part #'s from that kit are 35,36,50 & 51. I have an old kit, not the reissue, but it was kit #7575. You might try Monogram for those parts, or pick up one of the reissues. At best you might solve your Helldiver problem, at worst you would have a Devastator to build. Hope this helps.
Thanks. I’ll try that before melting, stretching, and shaping sprue into the parts I need. I have that re-issued Monogram Devastator Kit (with the book). X-Mas present from the War Department. I think she packed it away with the rest of my stash. A trip to the attic is in order. Been meaning to clean the mouse traps up there anyway. Placed a set, but unbaited trap on the wing of my finished B-29 to see if the mice have been playing on it. For some reason I had a dream of mice jumping in my finished planes up there one night and flying them around the attic. I’ve been watching too many cartoons at my nephews.[:p][%-)]
The decals I’m going with warrant the Navy version. I like the fact that if I do this right, the finished product will have more than just the propeller as a moving part.
I think we have a winner. The new Revell kit for the 1/48 scale TBD-1 Devastator is #85-6875. Parts 35,36,50 & 51are not a perfect fit, but with a little putty here and some reshaping there I think this will work.
Thanks RJK!
Well, I’m off to RM site to order replacement parts.
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Netscape more and more is not being supported by web vendors. Andreesen had a fun ride from Mosaic at NCSA in Champaign, IL to Netscape in San Jose, CA. University of Illinois doesn’t want that to happen again.
