New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Your Main Forum For Discussing 1:18 Scale Military Figures and Vehicles.
Buckyroo
Officer - Lt. Colonel
Officer - Lt. Colonel
Posts: 1087
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:56 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by Buckyroo » Thu Jun 21, 2012 3:18 am

pizzaguy wrote:Just got the box from Fedex and couldn't wait to open it. The DETAIL is off the chart. The rubber wheels instead of the hard plactic shocked me. Then to open the wheel well and hydrolic hoses. Nice!! Worth every penny. Great Job Jim.

When I went assemble this beast I ran into a snag on the wing where it meets the front fuselage. One corner by the leading edge is hanging up. See Photo.

Image

Anyone else run into this? I planned on cutting it down with an exacto, but wanted to see if anyone else has ran into this issue. Everything else went together perfectly.
Mine went together looking quite like the photos here. Persistance and TLC got everything in place just fine. What a wonderful plane.

aae83
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 236
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:12 pm
Location: 1, USA, IL, St. Louis

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by aae83 » Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:07 am

Jim@Merit wrote:
Dear All

Just wonder how many of you really want to see a correct early war USN crew for your SBD-3? :?:

Jim
I would want 3 sets.
Was it for this my life I sought? Maybe so, and maybe not...

jlspec
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Posts: 540
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 2:59 pm
Location: Western PA

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by jlspec » Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:28 am

aae83 wrote:
Jim@Merit wrote:
Dear All

Just wonder how many of you really want to see a correct early war USN crew for your SBD-3? :?:

Jim
I would want 3 sets.
I would probably get 3 sets also. 2 for sure for the Coral Sea and Midway SBDs and one for a future "Yellow Wing"

CW4USARMY
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 1859
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:32 pm
Location: Huntsville, AL

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by CW4USARMY » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:07 am

I'm in for sets. How many depends on how many paint schemes Merit comes out with ;-)

CW4USARMY
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 1859
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:32 pm
Location: Huntsville, AL

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by CW4USARMY » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:11 am

[CAT]CplSlade wrote:
CW4USARMY wrote:Just got back from the beach and the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola...

Gosh, wish you had told me you were in P'cola. I woulda had you pick up a dining room set from my dad so I could come pick it up from you. You're only an hour from me as opposed to five and a half to my dad's.

You were up for hauling furniture, right?

:lol:
I could have took the truck and trailer down. Hell, I almost needed it with all the beach chairs and crap we bought! ;-)

Grognard
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 179
Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:01 pm
Location: Fort Stewart, GA

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by Grognard » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:42 am

Put mine together last night. I agree this is a nice looking AC and the paint job really sticks out sitting amound the other navy planes.

Only negative was the tail wheel was broken off in the box.

Wings were a bit tight, and I want too sure if I would damage an antenna or something trying to force them together.

Otherwise, very satisfying piece.

tmanthegreat
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 11237
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Central California

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by tmanthegreat » Thu Jun 21, 2012 2:12 pm

Went by my local Hobbytown USA store today and they had 3 Merit Dauntlesses, price $179. I think I got mine a little cheaper online, but glad to see them available locally. Hopefully they will sell quickly!
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

User avatar
aferguson
Lieutenant General - MOD
Lieutenant General - MOD
Posts: 13632
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:08 am

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by aferguson » Thu Jun 21, 2012 2:57 pm

anyone have any flying mule discount codes they can pass on?
i never met an airplane i didn't like...

BLACKSNAKES
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 167
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2009 6:15 pm
Location: Hoagland, Indiana

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by BLACKSNAKES » Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:47 pm

UPS delivered my Dauntless a few hours ago :D

Jim@Merit, you guys knocked it out of the freaking park! By far the best 1/18 bird I have ever seen! Keep up the quality and detail and keep 'em coming Merit.

This one plane could bring 1/18 back to reality. Expensive; Yes. Worth it; Hell yes!

Blacksnakes
Good Trader List:
cardenas
popeye357
ram04
xddave
hworth18
PanzerArm
nooker21
paulwong
gliderdwm
sax5thave
Jnewboy
tpa05
warbike

tmanthegreat
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 11237
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Central California

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by tmanthegreat » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:51 pm

Was just looking into the depths of the interior on my Dauntless model and noticed that the radio boxes were not installed! They should be behind the pilot seat bulkhead and below that compartment roofing and antenna, as you can see in the photo below:

Image

I can see the points where the piece should have been mounted...

My question is are they missing on anyone else's aircraft?

No real big deal as they would be very difficult to see and even if I had replacement parts, I really couldn't install them as the MG ring, seat, and other parts are in the way.

Again, just curious as to whether they are missing on anyone else's aircraft.
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

User avatar
YT
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 2126
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:40 pm
Location: Central IL

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by YT » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:54 pm

Mine came today, I haven't had a chance to unbox it yet, but it does look great. As excited as I am, I have to say I just can't stomach these new price points for 1:18. At least Merit is giving us new stuff vs the BBI repops.
"There are some people who disagree with me, they are wrong." --Gen George S. Patton

flyboy_fx
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 4336
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:42 pm
Location: North Carolina,USA

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by flyboy_fx » Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:15 pm

I didn't pre order because I figured they would not end up selling them. DAMN IT! :evil:
"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better."
--Samuel Beckett

dragon53
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 8715
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:56 pm
Location: Houston

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by dragon53 » Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:33 pm

AFERGUSON:

The Flyingmule promotion code for a free model with any order of $150+ expired on June 19.

Coreyeagle48
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 2070
Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2004 11:25 am
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by Coreyeagle48 » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:28 pm

Greetings

Mine does not have the radio boxes either.

Corey
Trade References

tmanthegreat
hworth18
raiderad6
Snake
USCGSARdog
ThreeToughTrucks
Jnewboy
The one and only "Razor"
Rowsdower
Pizzaguy
pickelhaube
vmf 214
popeye357
JOC
Jwcarpenter

tmanthegreat
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 11237
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Central California

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by tmanthegreat » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:36 pm

Coreyeagle48 wrote:Mine does not have the radio boxes either.
Thanks Corey, now I feel better. If two collectors with two randomly-selected models on either side of the country don't have them, its probably safe to say the piece probably wasn't installed in the factory... Not sure why as I can see where it would have attached deep in that recess behind the pilot's seat.

Luckily its not something very noticable, especially with a figure in the gunner's seat. Perhaps it will be there on the Midway version.

Radio or not, don't get me wrong as the Merit Dauntless is still one fantastic piece :D
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

Ara
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 130
Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 7:02 am
Location: USA

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by Ara » Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:55 am

I have an "on-going" detailed assembly review on the Diecast Hangar Pub, linked here:

http://tdhp.49.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?f=271&t=12958
www.TheLiterateShow.com

jlspec
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Posts: 540
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 2:59 pm
Location: Western PA

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by jlspec » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:19 am

Thanks for the detailed review and pictures

flyboy_fx
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 4336
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:42 pm
Location: North Carolina,USA

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by flyboy_fx » Fri Jun 22, 2012 10:24 am

Where can I still get one?
"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better."
--Samuel Beckett

User avatar
aferguson
Lieutenant General - MOD
Lieutenant General - MOD
Posts: 13632
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:08 am

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by aferguson » Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:17 am

lots of places still have them, and some are still waiting to get them. aikens, greatmodels.com, aviatornut, motorpool, flying mule, militarytoyshop, bigbadtoystore, legendshobbies to name some.

just do an internet search for 'meriit dauntless' and you'll find lots of sites that carry them
i never met an airplane i didn't like...

tmanthegreat
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 11237
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Central California

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by tmanthegreat » Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:48 pm

aferguson wrote:lots of places still have them, and some are still waiting to get them. aikens, greatmodels.com, aviatornut, motorpool, flying mule, militarytoyshop, bigbadtoystore, legendshobbies to name some.
Weren't there only going to be 1000 of this type made? I'd be curious to know how many various retailers are getting in. My local hobbystore has 3 (likely it was initially 4), but what about larger dealers such as Badcat, Flying Mule, Aikens, etc? Seems like that 1000 batch would run out pretty fast... That is assuming there are 1000 people in the country that would collect them.
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

User avatar
aferguson
Lieutenant General - MOD
Lieutenant General - MOD
Posts: 13632
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:08 am

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by aferguson » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:37 pm

well apparently Merit is sold out of them but that doesn't mean the etailers are. I'm sure by late summer or early fall they'll be gone. Most people don't like to preorder and many people are still findiing out about them. And they're not inexpensive, so it doesn't surprise me there are still lots around, especially given the relative obscure nature of this paint scheme.

I'm sure they'll be making several thousand of the Midway ones, which will be the hottest ticket and then any subsequent repaints, like Guadalcanal, will be 1000 each probably.

I could have added Badcat, Diecast supermarket, Pam's Dream and Foxhole to my list, though i think badcat is sold out. There are also several small etailers that are carrying them, whose names i forget.
i never met an airplane i didn't like...

Ara
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 130
Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 7:02 am
Location: USA

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by Ara » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:37 pm

This CS Dauntless is fantastic and I only dreamed it would someday come true. I think $169.00 is reasonable for a model of this size and detail.

Manufacturers and retailers need to make money. We are used to low prices and failed companies. With those low prices we sometimes got spotty quality and shoddy research into the mold designs and paint jobs.

I will gladly pay Merit this price for future WWII aircraft. That's what value translates to.
www.TheLiterateShow.com

Ara
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 130
Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 7:02 am
Location: USA

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by Ara » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:10 pm

I'm re-reading Stanley Johnston's wartime account of the Lexington during his stay on that ship during the Coral Sea battle. It's titled THE QUEEN OF THE FLAT TOPS. According to Johnston, Liska's rear weapon was a twin 30 caliber, not a single mount.

I'm not saying this is fact, I'm saying this is what was published. Drawings in that book also show the twin mount on the Dauntlesses.

Johnston wasn't just a casual reporter either, you can read the original 1942 printing in my review here:

http://tdhp.49.forumer.com/viewtopic.ph ... 8&p=164151
www.TheLiterateShow.com

User avatar
YT
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 2126
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:40 pm
Location: Central IL

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by YT » Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:33 pm

Ara wrote:I have an "on-going" detailed assembly review on the Diecast Hangar Pub, linked here:

http://tdhp.49.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?f=271&t=12958
Thanks, that's great!
"There are some people who disagree with me, they are wrong." --Gen George S. Patton

Yoxford
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Posts: 530
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:42 am

Re: New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

Post by Yoxford » Sat Jun 23, 2012 3:18 am

Ara, great review of a great new model!...as for the twin vs single .30 cals the Dauntless book by Berritt Tillman shows the planes were shipped from the factory with a single .30 in the rear and not untill the SBD-5 did they ship from the factory with the twin .30s....the twins were however, as you stated, added in the field... So the Coral Sea 2-S-12 DID have a single .30 at least for a while, for sure, and may have had twin .30's by Coral Sea...but all the refrences I have state Liska used a single...but who really knows 100% for sure. Merit has delivered us a fantastic model and either dual or single .30's are fine with me.
The sign of a great model is that one’s eye is not drawn to any one feature, yet one can study it for hours and continually find something new.

Post Reply