Hey folks here’s one for ya. I recently aquired an SBD-5 from Matchbox, from a private collector. I would like to downagrade it if you will to an SBD-3, to paint it like the ones at Midway. I have never attempted anything like that. Would it be daunting or foolhardey, and where can I find references?
Daunting? Was that a pun?
Jimz66
For interior differences I’d have to do a lil more research. In all I really do not think that there was a major change. OK upgrade w/ radio sys, gun sight upgrade,arrangement of boxes ect. Like I said I have to do some lookin[:D] This will be from memory.
As for the outside there were some changes. The SBD-3 had no Yagi Radar Antennas hung from under the port and starboard wing like the later.
There are “three” cowl flaps on each side of the cowling. They start from the ending point of the gun barrel channel(top of cowling) and end a lil more than half way down past center of the cowling(sorry dont know the length/width by heart) The SBD-5 had one cowl flap up at the top.
During the course of production of the SBD-3, a twin .30 caliber “flexible” MG replaced the single .30 that the radio operator used(this is your choice on what variant of the 3 you want).
Just below the front radio mast antenna(In line) there is a ventilation slot panel that is fatter than the SBD 5 which was a bit more narrower (same length thou)
I am sure there is more ya gonna have to do to change it from a 5 to a 3.
This again is all from memory and right now I dont have any of my ref’s on the Dauntless near by[:(] So I’m sure that others will lend a hand and help out.
Off the top of my head here are two ref books you can get/use in your build.
[b]In actiion "SBD Dauntless) #64
In Detail & Scale Vol 48
Would like to see the SDB after completion[:D] Flaps up, Mike
Naw, Butz. We’re all gonna stand by and wait for you to deliver the goods! [;)]
I’ll look as well, I have a ton on the Dauntless somewhere…
Fade to Black…
I’ve got the perfect reference for you. Verlinden Publications "Modeling, Detailing, Painting, Weathering WWII Aircraft Vol. II has an article on converting the matchbox kit to the SBD-3.
Dave
You’ll also have to add a carburator air scoop to the top of the cowling.
The Dauntless is my favorite subject for aircraft in WWII-- you should try and grab the Dauntless book by I believe his name is Bert Kinzey I believe-- but it has all the variants and excellent close up shots of every part of the planes…
He has other books in the sries as well…I also have the one for the Avenger 
Blackwolf,
By the time you find your ref’s on the Dauntless, we will have recovered one from Lake Michigan[:p]
I’m starting to hunt around for pics of the SBD 3 and 5’s inter to see the differences.
Flaps up, Mike[:D]
Butz,
Yeah, right? I’ve made great progress in digging stuff out. The basement is just about done with construction stuff and I should be able to get back to at least code 2 very shortly! [;)]
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