Small Scale Military Headquarters

For future reference (just in case )

Navy aircraft color schemes changed quite frequently during the early portion of the Pacific operations. There was a significant change just between the Battle of Coral Sea in early May 1942 and the Battle of Midway just a month later. I say this, because two potential paint versions for an SBD-3 release could represent these two significant battles.

Coral Sea:
<img src="http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/8472/wbsbd52xm.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

Midway:
<img src="http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/6752/firsthit8or.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

JimBob
(...keeping the Dauntless visibility going )

Well, one can always hope for a Dauntless in 1:18. It actually wouldn't be any larger than the XD Stuka and really wouldn't be that difficult to produce. I could see them selling well.

If someone does a SBD, here are two great profiles (courtesy of Squadron/Signal books)

Coral Sea:
<img src="http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/1096 ... ile0ko.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

Midway:
<img src="http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/8403 ... ile6qh.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

JimBob

What a beauty those SBDs are. Although I like the later Pacific paint scheme, the earlier version is just too beautiful not to have at least one sample of.

How about it Admiral Toys?

Ask and ye will receive

1944 SBD-5:
<img src="http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6456 ... ile6qz.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />
The SBD looks great in the later tri-color paint scheme. However, this paint scheme was usually on the slightly different -5 version. I don't know which version (if an 1:18 SBD is created) will be chosen, but IMHO, the earlier -3 would be good choice. That version helped turn the tide in 1942.

Here's another -5 version that I'm posting just for grins. It is an Atlantic ASW color, like one of the 21C Avengers. The Dauntless was not preferred for escort carrier duty because it lacked folding wings; Avengers and Wildcats were preferred because they took up much less storage space.
<img src="http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/9333 ... ile1co.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

P.S. Thanks for humoring my Dauntless 'campaign'.

JimBob

The Dauntless was one of the very first airplane models I ever had (in 1:72 scale). I spent innumerable hours contemplating its lines and beauty.

This is a must-have airplane in any collection, but in 1:18, it would be just awsome.

Thank you for the great pictures.
Ed

And one that can be hung from the tail!


:fingerscrossed:

Yeap, you can surely hang it from the tail, and you don't even have to worry about being burned by afterburners!

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who appreciates this historic aircraft --and those who flew it.

I'm trying to go through ALL the 1:18 aircraft (prop or jet) produced by 21C, BBI, and now, Admiral and all I come up with are fighters...except one (already produced). Yes, a dive-bomber, the Stuka. (I'm not yet counting the Avenger, another non-fighter)

Is it time for another dive-bomber???

Regards,
JimBob

I can just imagine if one of those planes gets announced as a future release.