SBD-3 Dauntless 1:33 scale

[romanmodels]

making good progress Erik.

[smithdr]

Basically, ready to take off! Must be fun for an actual pilot like yourself.


Cool stuff, Erik!


Dan

[rifleman]

great photos and even great build well done

[Erik Zwaan]

Thanks gents for your kind comment. Yes, it's indeed fun to search for knowledge when building a particular model, it puts things in a certain perspective and the build becomes more than a model, it's a journey.

It took a while, partly owing to other things in life, but the up so far most complicated part (and its subparts) of the model is finished. I pondered how to install the many sections of the wing-fuselage transition section but finally came to the conclusion it would be easier to first complete the sub-assembly and then to install the entire part at once rather than installing piece by piece to the fuselage.

To ensure it would fit properly at the central wing section I had to assemble and dry-fit that part of the model as well. Another reason for the radio-silence in the past weeks . Anyway, that section will be next.

A bit of sanding the formers for a good fit of the wing-fuselage part was required but other than that, it all fits very well. Again.

Erik

[Olo]

This section of the build is very difficult due to the geometry of the fuselage, but you did it well so enjoy the rest of the build

[Petestein]

Your work approaches the finest plastic model of the Dauntless. Congratulations.

[smithdr]

Superb, Erik!
Dan

[Erik Zwaan]

Thank you Tom, Petestein and Dan!

In parallel to the wing-fuselage connection I had also prepared the central wing section. This is a straight-forward part of the build although the wheel wells take time to prepare.

When strengthening the parts I accidentally glued some on 0.5mm thick cardboard (indicated with a "*"), instead of doubling them with scrap paper of 0.2mm thick (indicated with a "+"). Got mixed up with the suffices and as all parts have a tight fit, correction is absolutely required before continuing.

The internal structure is wrapped in a single skin part, so again accuracy is of great importance. During the assembly I regularly checked for proper fit, as can be seen in the pictures.

At the wing root, on either side, small rectangular cut-outs have to be made through which the ducts need to be installed that form the exhaust of empty casings from the machine guns operated by the pilot. Cutting out needs to be done after the central wing structure (indicated as "WPS") has been prepared but I think it's easier to cut out during the assembly already. It's otherwise almost impossible to get clean cut-outs.

Finally, the central wing section is connected to the fuselage, with almost a perfect fit at the black step indicating areas on the wings. Only needed a slight touch-up with dark grey marker to disguise any white. Simply a great design of this model .

Further details yet to be added to the bottom surface - to be continued.

Regards,
Erik

[SmashedGlass]

This is just turning out incredibly well

[Erik Zwaan]

Thank you SmashedGlass for the compliment .

The build continues... some further details at the central wing section, which is now completed. Then moving on to the forward fuselage, with cowling gills. This part has its tricks as well. The two humps that house the machine guns make it a difficult shape to install and I'm not entirely satisfied with how it turned out.

Although I'm following the numerical order of the parts during the build, at this point I already glued the machine gun barrels and oil cooler scoop in place. Apart from the antenna mast, this forward section is now also complete. Engine and cowling will follow later.

Then follows the aft fuselage, one section installed. The internal structure of the empennage is complicated and I wonder if design-wise this could have been simplified as the internal structure makes it impossible to press joining tabs from the inside after gluing. This is a very effective way to help smoothing out the joint ("burnishing") for a seamless connection between to fuselage sections. Alas, not possible....., only from the outside and that simply results in a less neater job.

That's it for now.

Erik