SBD-3 VS-6 Midway

[Rod Bettencourt]

This represents an SBD-3 from VS-6 USS Enterprise June 4^th 1942 crewed by ENS Frank O’Flaherty and AMM1 Bruno Gaido. Both Gaido and O’Flaherty were captured by the IJN after ditching their aircraft. After both men were interrogated, they had weights attached to them and thrown overboard to drown. This the Trumpeter Midway “Clear Edition”. As many have stated over the years, this is a pretty good kit!  I wouldn’t mind building another one. The only AM used was Yahu IP, my wife made the squadron decal ID numbers for me. I used AK Paints exclusively on this build. This piece was awarded the “Whizzer White Memorial” Navy/Marine Attack Aircraft at the 2021 Las Vegas Nationals.

Thanks for looking.

Rod

[DocRob]

What a sad story behind your marvelous build Rod. Painting and weathering looks perfect, as are the pictures. 

Cheers Rob

[Spitfire]

Sad story (horrific really) but a great build

Cheers

Dennis

[belugawhaleman]

Great looking build beautifully photographed! 

[BlrwestSiR]

Fantastic looking Dauntless Rod and congratulations on the award. 

Gaido was also known for having shot down a Japanese bomber from a plane parked on a carrier deck earlier in the war. 

Carl

 

 

 

 

 

[GusMac]

Beautiful faded paint work and stunning photos. 

[HubertB]

Well deserved award ! Fantastic !

Hubert

[GazzaS]

Great build!  Congrats!  Sad story..

[harv]

Fantastic! Wish I had known you were there.  It looked fantastic in person

[Kaireckstadt]

Great build, stunning livery and well deserved award for it. 
 

[Bomber_County]

Great build, congrats on the award……..horrendous back story…….. another kit for the wish list……..

[Clunkmeister]

Hearing horrific stories like that curdle my blood.

But the build itself is absolutely breathtaking, sir!  

[Peterpools]

Rod

Congratulations on the award - so very well earned with your beautiful Dauntless. As with Ernie, stories such as this makes my blood boil.

Keep 'em comin

Peter

[k5ikl]

Awesome build Rod.  Beautiful.  Congrats on the award at the Nationals.  Well deserved.  

Cheers,
Jerry

[calumet]

That's a real beauty, superb paint job!

Hans

[Martinnfb]

Absolutely realistic finish, Bravo!

[Landlubber Mike]

Wow, I see models like that and it makes me think I need to take up another hobby.  Well done!  I could have sworn I was looking at the real deal in 1:1 in those outdoor pictures.

[rfadney]

Stunning work, congratulations!

[jep1210]

Just so you know, I said out loud, "wow!" when I saw these pics.

 

[Rod Bettencourt]

14 hours ago, jep1210 said:

Just so you know, I said out loud, "wow!" when I saw these pics.

 

That's awesome! Thanks for that.

 

Rod

[KevinM]

I have to agree Rod looks like the real thing!

[joeg]

A fantastic looking Dauntless. Every inch a real pleasure to view. The pics are excellent aswell. You nearly can´t tell if this was your referrence real aeroplane or the model. Hats off!