Trumpeter 1:32 SBD-3Dauntless. • Kit No. 02244
Trumpeter’s 1:32 scale SBD-3Dauntless built and painted by Brian Tomasin.
SKILL LEVEL:
INTERMEDIATE (OUT OF THE BOX)
SPECIFICATION:
• Trumpeter 1:32 SBD-3Dauntless. Kit No. 02244
• Parts count: 295 injection moulded parts, photoetched parts, instructions and colour painting sheet
TOOLS AND MODELLING PRODUCTS USED:
• Tamiya Extra Thin Cement
• Great Planes Super Glue
• Tamiya Masking Tape
• Folding Fixture “5 Speed Hold and Fold”, tool # SMS004 - The Small Shop.com
ACCESSORIES USED:
• FPW Model Wright R-1820 Cyclone Engine 32 N 8023D printed engine
• Eduard: SBD Landing Flaps for Trumpeter 32163
• Eduard: SBD -4/5 Canopy Mask for Trumpeter kit JX074
• Cockpit Handles: ANYZ Cockpit handles AN030
• Aerial: E-ZLine-Fine elastic cordBerkshire Junction Mfg.
• Kelik Models 1:32 SBD-3Dauntless Interior Decal set, 3-Dprinted placardsK32007
• RESIN2DETAIL.com, Dauntless Wheel Upgrade version 1: Grooved Tread RFF32129
PAINTS AND FINISHING PRODUCTS USED:
• Tamiya Aerosol Paints - Fine Grey Primer
• Tamiya Acrylic Paints: X-28 Green; X-7Red; XF-2Flat White; XF-64 Red Brown, XF-8Lemon Yellow, XF-8Flat Blue.
• Vallejo Acrylic Paints - UK Azure P.R.U. Blue 71.109 NATO Black: 71.119, RAL9002 - White Grey 71.121 Beige 71.074
• Mr. Hobby Model Acrylic Paints - H-338 Light GreyFS36495 US Navy
• Microscale Industries Micro Gloss and Micro Flat clear model finishes
• Winsor & Newton Brown Madder, Van Dyck Brown, Cadmium Vermillion and Burnt Sienna oil paint.
• Tamiya Panel Line Accent Colour (Black)
• Alclad II Lacquers; ALC-111 Magnesium, ALC-104 Burnt Metal: ALC-123 Exhaust Manifold; ALC-103 Dark aluminium, ALC112 Copper
• MIG Ammo Black Night MIG-1611 panel wash
• MIG Ammo Green Brown MIG-1612
• MIG Ammo Blue Grey MIG 1613 wash
• Mig Ammo Heavy Chipping Effects Fluid - MIG-201
REFERENCE:
• “SBD Dauntless in Action” by Rob Stern/Don Greer, Aircraft Number 64Squadron Signal Publications 1984.
3 Level of detail in cockpit, engine mounts, and engine. All the parts are high quality moulding,
precise fit and accurate. Canopy parts and photo etch are top notch and packaged very nicely.
7 Moulded rubber tires, just too gimmicky and a waste of tooling. Right horizontal stabilizer intersection to fuselage has a mismatch on top surface.7
The SBD Dauntless was an unsung hero for the USN aviation during the Second World War.
It was rugged, small, durable and easy to maintain, allowing it to excel in the most dynamic missions during the battle for the Pacific against the Imperial Japanese Navy.
The Dauntless was the USN carrier aviation’s version of a dump truck: capable, versatile and lethal.
Dive bombing was its forte. Performing steep, almost vertical attacks proved the Dauntless’ deadly mission accuracy. With its robust airframe, the plane could withstand the G-forces of the mission and punishment of carrier board service.
I am building an aircraft from early 1942 in the months around the Battle of the Coral Sea. Adorned with its red and white striped tail feathers and perforated dive flaps, I present a colourful yet lethal fighting machine in the early days of carrier warfare.
Trumpeter model kits are large and impressive. It is a good platform for completing every bit of the designed-in detail to engine, cockpit and airframe. I will go one step further by building an aircraft with markings from the kit yet adding more detailed dive flaps, cockpit detail and add a high level of weathering. I intend to add state-of-the-art 3D printed cockpit details where needed and open the engine compartment to expose the Wright Cyclone engine and area forward of the cockpit. If you want to see the business end of an SBD, you got it.