SBD on the Bench

[pickelhaube]

Everything looks great !

The final details take forever to complete even if you have the time.

[Folkwulfe]

I have been trying to get the masks for the fuselage "6" done, but they keep coming out looking terrible. I have since taken a couple of weeks off to try to figure out a better way to cut them. I think I'm about ready to dive into this again. Thanks for the encouragement PK...

[pickelhaube]

In most of my kits I used to get a board member to make my decals.
He is now retired out of the decal making.
I use a local sign maker to make my peal and stick paint stencils .
Not the cheapest way to go but I get back quality stuff.

I try to collect future projects together so he can plot and cut them at the same time .

[Folkwulfe]

You would think that making a simple 6 stencil would be a piece of cake...that's what gets me so upset. It ain't so simple!
I hadn't thought of having a sign maker cut them...thanks for the tip.

[Folkwulfe]

Time to get back to work on this project.

The canopy fit has been sorted out and made permanent.

I also started the exhaust staining...

[Folkwulfe]

...canopies open, ready for boarding...

[Folkwulfe]

Finally getting down to the 6 being painted on. This is a stencil test for size and shape before spraying the actual aircraft ID number on...

[Folkwulfe]

Okay...stencils are in and the fit and size are perfect. A little warm weather (my workbench is in the garage) and I should have these 6's sprayed on....finally! A couple of small detail and you can stick a fork in it!

[Folkwulfe]

Is there really any purpose in posting on this forum anymore? Topics go unread, no questions or comments....dead...nothing. Except for a few dedicated users from a ways back, I see no new people interested using what used to be a thriving community of collectors and modifiers. Even PK's postings seem to be ignored...blasphemy! To all my friends whom I have met and traded wonderful ideas and techniques with over the years...you have my heartfelt thanks for making this hobby so fulfilling and fun. But I guess all things come to an end someday...and that day is here for me. Keep dreaming people...your imagination is your only limitation.

[Cascabel]

What is the purpose of the green hinged panels that appear to close around the gunner's seat ? Are they some kind of heavy steel armor, or something else entirely ?

[Folkwulfe]

They are shoulder plate armor for the rear gunner designed to be spring loaded around the shoulders of the gunner. They are attached to the seat pivot ring so they rotate as the gunner turns from side to side.

[Cascabel]

They are shoulder plate armor for the rear gunner designed to be spring loaded around the shoulders of the gunner. They are attached to the seat pivot ring so they rotate as the gunner turns from side to side.

Thanks, Are they thick metal, or some other type of construction ?

[Folkwulfe]

Armor plate during WW2 was all hardened steel. Ceramic and Kevlar plates were not invented till much later. The steel plates for the SBD gunner were between 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.

[Folkwulfe]

For what it's worth, this one is done.

[Eddy10440]

Great job Folkwulfe!!!

That is an awesome plane, thanks for sharing!

[cnq]

That is an excellent build . I like it.
I could not handle the big scale (1/18) build due to my work space. My largest build is the 1/32 He-111.
What is the purpose of the dark "rectangular square" beside decal number "6" ?

[tmanthegreat]

Fantastic work of your SBD model, Folkwulfe
It really came out look nice and I love your attention to the small details!

[Eddy10440]

What is the purpose of the dark "rectangular square" beside decal number "6" ?

It says "STEP"

Not sure but I think that's where the gunner puts his foot and climbs to reach the cockpit

[Folkwulfe]

Sorry for not answering sooner guys, but here's the real scoop. When 2106 was assigned to a Navy Squadron, the sides were marked with a "S-6" in white on the sides. Three weeks before Midway, 2106 was transferred to the Marines in VMSB-214. Since the Marines had different marking requirements, the sides had the ""S-" painted out with a hand brush until she could be repainted properly later. And that's all there is to it.

[cnq]

Ah ok. Thanks for the info Folkwulfe

[Folkwulfe]

Welcome...

[Folkwulfe]

Here's another "paint" detail that some may notice and others might overlook. Originally, at the beginning of WW2, the rudder was painted alternating red and white stripes, and the wind/fuselage roundels were blue circle, white tar, and a red circle in the center of the star. Immediately following Pearl Harbor, anything with red in the insignia got shot at....so the red/white ridder stripes and red star centers were quickly painted over. That's why you can see the red/white rudder stripes peeking through the rudder "Light Sea Blue" overall paint. The star center is a little discolored, but the lighting of the photos above washed that detail out almost completely. The devil is in the details my friends!

[pickelhaube]

Great job !

[PanzerArm]

A bit late to the party, but I wanted to chime in and say excellent work! I have many of the BBi ones in the smaller 1/32 scale and have yet to tackle a repaint. I have a few of the HM ones as well, but they are cost prohibitive. Anyway, great job, and sorry the work isn't getting the attention it would have in the past. Many of the folks that used to frequent here have now transitioned to various hobby-related Facebook groups for what it's worth.

-Kevin