New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

[dannyc]

I ordered the midway version from historic aviation magazine along with a f4 phantom metal sign for my dad cant wait to get it this week and it was all thanks to my grandmother

[tmanthegreat]

You will like it. The Merit Dauntless has set the bar currently in terms of detail and quality for a 1:18 scale aircraft. Makes a lot of the old 21c stuff look like kiddie toys

[dannyc]

yeah I saw the preview pics and knew I had to have one although I don't have enough space for it in my room guess im going to have to put it out in the living room even though my mom will get mad

[snake]

Think you might just to find some space in your room, danny.

And as Tman has said, it is a great 1/18 model, that I am sure you will be impressed with.

[DocTodd]

Yes, it is quite a specimen, you should enjoy it.

[dannyc]

also I ordered 2 21st century toys corsair pilots for the plane and I know I should have asked before but I will do it now so how do they fit is it tight or is there a lot of room

[dannyc]

well I have what I believe are some very good news for the hobby but bad news for me at least till june the sbd I ordered from historic aviation magazine my grandmother ordered from what she told me was supposed to come today but it didn't so I called and they said they are on back order till june but I also got another surprise when the sign came and a 1/72 scale f84 came with it and the guy who helped me told me another item I hadn't asked for was on back order and wouldn't be in for 2 weeks a 1/6 scale saving private ryan dml paratrooper gotta love grandmas huh

[f4phantomgreyghosts]

^ like my son says how well do the figures fit in the dauntless much appreciated Dan Capote

[tmanthegreat]

Figures fit in pretty good, but there are some caveats...

In the pilot's station, you may have to remove the lower legs of the figure to get it to fit as Merit installed the rudder pedals in the correct position. (On most 1:18 planes, while they include the pedals, they sit back a bit further than in actuality as a 1:18 figure can't really "scrunch up" like an actual person in a cloth uniform can). The figure fits in easily otherwise.

A figure can fit a little more easily in the gunner's station without modification, but depending on the type of pilot figure you use, it can be a tight fit.

As for pilot figures, there are 3 accurate options available:
1) BBI WWII Navy pilot figure, like what came with the BBI Corsair or Hellcat.
2) 21st Century Toys XD WWII Corsair Pilot. Carded versions are easily available.
3) 21st Century Toys XD TBF Avenger Pilot or Crew figures.
I use a couple spare BBI WWII Navy pilot figres in my "Midway" Dauntless, which I have out on display. These are very realistic, have chute harnesses, and look great with the professional detail on the Dauntless. The 21st Century Toys XD WWII Corsair Pilot is likely going to be the easiest figure to find. Some retailers still have them and they're on ebay. They look the part and are the easiest to modify to fit in the cockpit. They don't have parachute straps, however, and their vest is marked for the squadron "VF-17" and has an inspection date of 1943 - too late for either Dauntless! The TBF Avenger crew figures are thin and fit easily into the tight spaces of the Dauntless, though the pilot will need the leg modification. They have the chute straps and no other identifying markings, and so work the part...

[dannyc]

yeah me and my dad ordered the 21st century f4u pilot figures because we found them and they were cheap 20.00 for two so we ordered them they should be here today even though they will get here before the dauntless I ordered a few other things to keep me busy

[supersonicfifi]

FINALLY : i bought a DAUNTLESS : 2 years after its release ! (after a baby and a new appartement it's my 1st new 1/18 since the tomcat ! )

I must say that I am impressed : this model is so nice : so perfect !

My favorite are :

-The moveable rear gun mount & cockpit
- The little oil spot underneath the engine ( à la spotcat !!!)
- All the little details (like the glass panel between the pilot feet , rubber tires ..)
- The general crispness of the model

So far one of the best 1/18 plane ! can't wait for the HARRIER & FW190A !!!!!

The best part is that i bought it NEW from a French hobby shop for 90US$ on ebay !!!!!!! (70€!) here is an Happy camper ! yeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh !

[dannyc]

FINALLY : i bought a DAUNTLESS : 2 years after its release ! (after a baby and a new appartement it's my 1st new 1/18 since the tomcat ! )

I must say that I am impressed : this model is so nice : so perfect !

My favorite are :

-The moveable rear gun mount & cockpit
- The little oil spot underneath the engine ( à la spotcat !!!)
- All the little details (like the glass panel between the pilot feet , rubber tires ..)
- The general crispness of the model

So far one of the best 1/18 plane ! can't wait for the HARRIER & FW190A !!!!!

The best part is that i bought it NEW from a French hobby shop for 90US$ on ebay !!!!!!! (70€!) here is an Happy camper ! yeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh !

congrats supersonicfifi when i got mine it reminded me of the good ole days

[supersonicfifi]

yes exactly : the good old days ....

[dannyc]

The midway dauntless good choice

[tmanthegreat]

Glad you like the Dauntless Supersonicfifi Its probably one of the best all-round 1:18 aircraft models produced to date. Just a beautiful mix of superb detailing, functionality, and paint work. Imagine if most of the 21c planes had looked this good?

[granch]

Cher voisin français,
A quelle adresse avez-vous eu votre Dauntless pour 70 €?????

[Studly]

Well Guys i bit the Bullet and bought SBD-3 Dauntless USN VB-6, Black B1 version should be here any Day

[tmanthegreat]

You're going to love it, Studly. The Merit Dauntless is simply one of the best 1:18 WWII aircraft models out there

[Studly]

Well Chaps my SBD turned up today , and i was very impressed with the detail, Very Very Nice.


Greg

[Snake Man]

I just got the Midway version of the Dauntless, and I must say I'm VERY impressed !!! The thing that pleases me the most is that the weathering is very subtle. Many 1/18 planes have extremely over done attempts at weathering. I would rather have none at all, rather than having it poorly done. Many of them were done by people that have obviously never been around actual aircraft, with dirt stains in areas that never actually got dirty, panel lines overly shaded, overly done and incorrect color exhaust stains, etc. I would rather do my own weathering than try to remove a poorly done and and heavy-handed job.

Manufacturers please take note !!!

[Jay]

Just weathering my dauntless. As i was handling it the centre airbrake came off. Is the airbrake meant to have a small axle moulded into each hinge point? I cant really make out how it was meant to fit in originally.

[bobb428]

I got mine today

[bobb428]

I know I am late to the party, what figures are you using to put in this palne?

[tmanthegreat]

There are several decent options for figures:
-- BBI USN WWII Pilot figure
-- 21c Corsair Pilot figure
-- 21c Avenger Crew figures
Of these three, probably the 21c Corsair Pilot will be easiest to find. BBI did release their WWII USN pilot figure as a separate item a few years ago but they are near-impossible to find... I wish I had gotten a few more when they were available! You may also be able to find the 21c Avenger crew figures as well. Do note that the lower legs of any of these figures need to be removed in order to fit in the cockpit.

Here's a picture of my "Midway" Dauntless with the BBI figures and a picture taken by board member Coreyeagle48 of his "Coral Sea" Dauntless with the 21c Avenger Crew figures for your reference.




This photo originally taken & posted by Coreyeagle48

[bobb428]

Thanks!