Infinity Models SB2C-4 Helldiver. Finished. Well, OK, maybe not.

[Bomber_County]

2 minutes ago, KevinM said:

Well Ernie I am glad you are having so much fun but I am still not going to buy one!

What he said…….

[Clunkmeister]

20 minutes ago, KevinM said:

Well Ernie I am glad you are having so much fun but I am still not going to buy one!

I use the word loosely. After all, this IS a G-rated site. 🤬 😇

[JohnB]

On 8/10/2022 at 11:21 PM, Clunkmeister said:

This is getting worse and worse.  The more I get into it, the more the razor saw gets used.
What could possibly go wrong?

I sure hope I can put Humpty Dumpty back together again.  NOTHING here is by the book, and I think that when I’m done, only 2/3 of the thing will be original Infinity plastic. Needless to say, I’m only wee bit concerned.  But tomorrow we do a couple washes over the nice, shiny Future, then start slapping it all together with baited breath 

Good luck Ernie! I wouldn't even consider doing all that on the kit. It has more than enough headaches without adding more. If you overcome all the problems, etc and get it finished it should be a knockout!

[James H]

Sort of reminds me of the Trump Avenger. That was one I always wanted to build, presumably designed by their 'A-Team' who did the Me 262.

[JohnB]

1 hour ago, Jim H said:

Sort of reminds me of the Trump Avenger. That was one I always wanted to build, presumably designed by their 'A-Team' who did the Me 262.

I've built the TBM and it is a good kit with no big headaches.

[Clunkmeister]

11 hours ago, Jim H said:

Sort of reminds me of the Trump Avenger. That was one I always wanted to build, presumably designed by their 'A-Team' who did the Me 262.

The SBD is a brilliant kit. TBM/F?  I’ve heard it is as well and was copied directly from the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 Avenger, which I DID build. 
This reminds me of typical Sword plastic: good fit of the airframe parts, but interior fit is “vague”.   It’s actually making me work for it, which is nice because I’m in that kind of mood. 
I will say that this is probably the very first kit I’d say that some aftermarket parts aren’t nice, but are REQUIRED, assuming you want a build up to the standards LSM showcases. 
At LEAST a seat followed by some light scratching where needed.  But even if you’re closing it up, the Resin2Detail cockpit adds a metric ton to the model.

[Clunkmeister]

A few updates. Just a few details getting picked out.
Oh boy does this thing need some weathering in there. 
I have ZERO clues where the placards go, but I slapped a few on just to busy the darn thing up a bit. 
 

[JohnB]

On 8/18/2022 at 1:54 AM, Clunkmeister said:

The SBD is a brilliant kit. TBM/F?  I’ve heard it is as well and was copied directly from the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 Avenger, which I DID build. 
This reminds me of typical Sword plastic: good fit of the airframe parts, but interior fit is “vague”.   It’s actually making me work for it, which is nice because I’m in that kind of mood. 
I will say that this is probably the very first kit I’d say that some aftermarket parts aren’t nice, but are REQUIRED, assuming you want a build up to the standards LSM showcases. 
At LEAST a seat followed by some light scratching where needed.  But even if you’re closing it up, the Resin2Detail cockpit adds a metric ton to the model.

I'd say the only "required" after market is the seat which is a beauty. All that other stuff, in my humble opinion, is far from "required" and just adds more headaches to the build. I'll say this though, they DO dress it up well. 😄

[Clunkmeister]

On 8/22/2022 at 9:45 AM, JohnB said:

I'd say the only "required" after market is the seat which is a beauty. All that other stuff, in my humble opinion, is far from "required" and just adds more headaches to the build. I'll say this though, they DO dress it up well. 😄

The rest of the cockpit set is positively brilliant!  A truly gorgeous enhancement to the model.

[Clunkmeister]

Here I continue along with some update pics. Not much done since last week, but I’m close to closing up the fuselage. 
I’m actually enjoying this build way more than I expected. I knew going it it was going to be very resin like in construction technique, but the lack of resin dust except from a few small parts is a real pleasure for me right now. 
This is not a difficult model, just time consuming with all the sanding and fitting
 

[Clunkmeister]

I have zero clue as to how the original cabling goes in the cockpit, but my goal is to simply busy it up a bit

[Peterpools]

Ernie

No doubt you are winning the war of part fit, location and repair. The front office work and detailing looks tremendous and I know exactly what you mean by trying to figure out where the parts go, as the instructions on limited production kits leave a lot to be desired. I'm knee deep into putting the Whirlwind front office together and right with you in that part location is a cross between the vague instructions causing more frustration then guidance, spending hours gazing at 3D photos and just lucky guess work.  I have to admit it's been a challenge but nowhere to the extent the Helldiver has taken you and I'm going nearly straight OOB - no resin just kit parts.

Looking so good.

 

[Clunkmeister]

Peter, that Whirlwind will be stunning!!

[Peterpools]

Thanks Ernie, I sure hope so.

 

[BlrwestSiR]

Ernie, the cockpit work looks great so far. Even if you are winging it with some of the details, it's well worth the effort. 

[Clunkmeister]

On 8/25/2022 at 7:21 AM, BlrwestSiR said:

Ernie, the cockpit work looks great so far. Even if you are winging it with some of the details, it's well worth the effort. 

Thanks Carl.  It sure is irritating though, simply because of the almost total absence of any really decent pictures of an actual working Helldiver. 
The pics out there are of the CAF Helldiver, which is a restored warbird with most of its wartime goodies removed.  Plus, it’s been wrecked and rebuilt so many times that it’s like a lot of T-6s out there: a cobbled together bunch of parts from several wrecks wired up to look like whole airplane. 

[Peterpools]

Ernie

Right with you and completely agree - nothing beats good, crisp, clear photos of the real deal for accuracy and guidance. Restored aircraft photos have their place but in the process of restoration, liberties and compromises are made as we are all searching for the same historic documentation. For me, it's part and color, with color being at the top of my list, as the B&W's of the period cannot portray the actual color.  

 

  

[Bomber_County]

7 hours ago, Clunkmeister said:

Thanks Carl.  It sure is irritating though, simply because of the almost total absence of any really decent pictures of an actual 

Ernie, you are man to rope this bad boy, drives me insane when doing pits and cannot find the right pic or reference……..looking mighty fine…..

[Clunkmeister]

15 hours ago, Bomber_County said:

Ernie, you are man to rope this bad boy, drives me insane when doing pits and cannot find the right pic or reference……..looking mighty fine…..

The Helldiver was unique in that it stormed onto the scene, everyone hated it but in actual service it performed incredibly well.  But it was so despised by its crews that along with the termination of the dive bomber program, the Helldiver was completely gone 2 years after the war ended. 
Of course the French and several other nations used them postwar, all with incredible results. But they were gone so quick, there is little to no record. 
I can tell you this:  the center fuselage section between the crew is pure fiction in this kit. The massive rollover bar is completely missing, along with the center fuel tank….

The Resin2Detail cockpit includes the front rollover bar. I need to make the rear half. 

[Peterpools]

Ernie

Unbelievable how poorly Infinity missed the marked on the details. By the time you are done, except for the outer skin, you've rebuilt and scratch built the entire interior. A massive amount of work and my money is riding on you.

 

 

[belugawhaleman]

I think I dodged a bullet by not buying this kit. Anyone must be given a lot of credit

for building this one. I think Monogram had a 1/48 kit of this aircraft...I don't remember

If I had it or not.

[Peterpools]

Paul

Absolutely a ton of credit needs to be given to Ernie for the brilliant work he is doing and to John for actually finishing his Helldiver.

Yes, Monogram did make a Helldiver and a pretty good kit.

 

[JohnB]

10 hours ago, belugawhaleman said:

I think I dodged a bullet by not buying this kit. Anyone must be given a lot of credit

for building this one. I think Monogram had a 1/48 kit of this aircraft...I don't remember

If I had it or not.

Yes they did and I built 2 of them. The 2nd issue was new molds and a much better kit.

[KevinM]

15 hours ago, belugawhaleman said:

I think I dodged a bullet by not buying this kit.

After watching John's build and now Ernie's I'll say it again "I'm still not going to buy one" life is to short to be cussing when it's suppose to be fun.

I need to add Ernie you do have a nice build going just not my cup of tea.

[Martinnfb]

I love builds like this, they make my juices flowing.