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

[ScottsGT]

Looks like it’s time to section the bottom of that canopy.  Oh boy.   Figure this out so I don’t have to when I build mine. 

[Clunkmeister]

On 9/22/2022 at 5:55 PM, ScottsGT said:

Looks like it’s time to section the bottom of that canopy.  Oh boy.   Figure this out so I don’t have to when I build mine. 

Yes Scott, that is my thought as well, OR, let’s see what the actual problem is, and see if we can find us a workaround.

[Clunkmeister]

I’ve been doing some looking, measuring, and checking, and I’ve come to the conclusion that Infinity has simply blown it in regards to the rear canopy dimensions.  
So, then I say to myself: “Self, you were halfway through an HPH resin Helldiver build when you stopped and took a break.  So why not have a quick look at the master kit used as a pattern for the IM Infinity release and see how they compare?”  Brilliant, right?  Yep….

Here is my comparison between the rear hoods of the two kits. As you can see, the Infinity part has had growth spurts in comparison to the parent HPH canopy. 
This is very interesting, and to me, it’s a simple blown assignment. They’re not even close, actually. 

[Clunkmeister]

Now let’s look at them on the model.   The Infinity part is grossly oversized, while the HPH part is a PERFECT DROP FIT on the Infinity kit. And the fuselage dimensions are identical between the two models, BTW. 
My job here is not to criticize and complain, instead it is to find the reason and point out the issue along with potential workarounds and/or fixes. 

[Clunkmeister]

Now, JohnB mentioned the front windscreen being too deep, and it required a few minutes with a sanding stick.  Here’s the resin HPH part, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s a drop fit as well!  Not as big a deal, as the kit part is quite easily worked to make it fit like HPH part. 

[Clunkmeister]

So, you now have two choices: creative customizing on the kit part through sectioning the canopy at the rails, and narrowing the window dimensions, OR, contacting HPH and asking to order their resin clear set for the resin Helldiver.

Or, if not doing that, buy and build the complete resin Helldiver kit. It already comes with all your optional items for the IM kit, with the exception of the folding wing option. 
Either way you do this, I feel HPH should offer the canopy fix parts to Infinity kit owners and builders.

This little tidbit SOLVES one of the glaring weaknesses of the Infinity kit. 

[DocRob]

6 hours ago, Clunkmeister said:

Or, if not doing that, buy and build the complete resin Helldiver kit. It already comes with all your optional items for the IM kit, with the exception of the folding wing option. 
Either way you do this, I feel HPH should offer the canopy fix parts to Infinity kit owners and builders.

Exactly Ernie, with all these issues, the resin kit seems to be the better and I guess cheaper Helldiver kit. 
Maybe HPH made a mistake boxing clear parts for a planned 1/24 version of the Helldiver , spoiler alert.

Cheers Rob 

[Peterpools]

Ernie

For whatever reason, Infinity blew it and the clear parts are way oversized. How they could have done this when they had the HPH parts (Masters) to work with. I fully agree 100%, Infinity needs to bite the bullet and replace the offensive clear glass with a set of HPH resin parts. 

 

[Clunkmeister]

Peter, I have no idea how it made it past the QC guys in the packing process, but at least there is a quick and easy fix for those who don’t want to start hacking on clear plastic. The resin parts are beautifully cast and with a dip into the Future, will be amazing. 
I’m surprised nobody in the modeling world has mentioned this yet. 🤬 There have been several dozen of these built, and it’ll fix the problem. 

The Infinity Vampire is a great looking kit. I watch one being built by a good friend, and he’s turning out a masterpiece. 

[BlrwestSiR]

Great sleuthing and problem solving there Ernie. 

It really is astounding how those canopies can be so different. Not in a good way either unfortunately. 

I think the chop and channel is the way to go with the rear canopy. Now to figure out the best spot for the cut 

[Peterpools]

Ernie

Same here that your issues with the rear canopy were the first I heard about it. Infinity should just send out replacement canopies to any buyer that request one - after all it's their gross error. 

Would love to see a few photographs the Vampire.    

 

[Clunkmeister]

19 minutes ago, Peterpools said:

Ernie

Same here that your issues with the rear canopy were the first I heard about it. Infinity should just send out replacement canopies to any buyer that request one - after all it's their gross error. 

Would love to see a few photographs the Vampire.    

 

Smitty’s building one now and he’s not really one for WIPs. With his permission I’ll post a pic or two, but it’s not my place to just do it. 
He was at Reno this year and like anyone who was there, is pretty shook up over the L29 crash in the Gold finals.  That was by far the fastest crew this year and they were poised to take all the marbles. 

[Clunkmeister]

29 minutes ago, Peterpools said:

Ernie

Same here that your issues with the rear canopy were the first I heard about it. Infinity should just send out replacement canopies to any buyer that request one - after all it's their gross error. 

Would love to see a few photographs the Vampire.    

 

Yeah it’s odd. Not a peep on LSP, ARC, Britmodeler, nothing. 

[HubertB]

This is what Huub van Dijk did on his build thread on LSP:

https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/90362-infinity-132-sb2c-4-helldiver/page/2/
 

Smart move and convincing result.

Hubert

[Clunkmeister]

22 hours ago, HubertB said:

This is what Huub van Dijk did on his build thread on LSP:

https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/90362-infinity-132-sb2c-4-helldiver/page/2/
 

Smart move and convincing result.

Hubert

Yeah that looks GREAT. There is a 3D printed exhaust available now through Resin2Detail will make the exhaust problem easily repairable but the canopy will take some skill. 
Resin2Detail has quite a few bits and pieces for this kit. 

[Clunkmeister]

11 hours ago, HubertB said:

This is what Huub van Dijk did on his build thread on LSP:

https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/90362-infinity-132-sb2c-4-helldiver/page/2/
 

Smart move and convincing result.

Hubert

Yes, I am looking at the same potential fix with mine. The resin piece is very close and it will serve as a good pattern. I WILL finish my resin build when this is done, so I can see the differences side to side

[Peterpools]

Ernie, with both Helldivers finished down the road, a comparison between the two would be more then interesting, educational fits the bill even better. Two intense builds  for sure.

 

 

[BlrwestSiR]

It will be interesting to see both kits side by side, especially since they're from the same source master pattern.

[JohnB]

On 9/23/2022 at 11:35 PM, Clunkmeister said:

Now let’s look at them on the model.   The Infinity part is grossly oversized, while the HPH part is a PERFECT DROP FIT on the Infinity kit. And the fuselage dimensions are identical between the two models, BTW. 
My job here is not to criticize and complain, instead it is to find the reason and point out the issue along with potential workarounds and/or fixes. 

I don't know how I missed it on my build but I sure did. I think I might go back and remove the rear canopy and do a little "adjusting". I'll have to take a close look first as I don't want to ruin anything. 🤪

[Clunkmeister]

1 hour ago, JohnB said:

I don't know how I missed it on my build but I sure did. I think I might go back and remove the rear canopy and do a little "adjusting". I'll have to take a close look first as I don't want to ruin anything. 🤪

Even if you don’t want to go crazy on it, you can just grab the resin canopy from HPH and put that on instead. 
Nut fixing the kit part doesn’t appear too obnoxious

[JohnB]

5 hours ago, Clunkmeister said:

Even if you don’t want to go crazy on it, you can just grab the resin canopy from HPH and put that on instead. 
Nut fixing the kit part doesn’t appear too obnoxious

I'll send HpH a email and see about a replacement part.

[Clunkmeister]

I found a bit of time for bench time, so I spent a bit of time working on the Helldiver.

This is a BIG airframe  

 

[Peterpools]

Ernie

She surely is a Big Gal and taped together for a test fitting. Can't wait to see her in the paint shop and wear Navy Blue.

 

[DocRob]

A true workhorse and not a small one. God to see the Helldiver going together and showing her shape. 
I have only a tiny 1/72 version in stash , made by Special Hobby, with  more brass than plastic, as I've bought an Eduard big set for it.

Cheers Rob

[BlrwestSiR]

Shows why they called her the Beast. 

Nice to get to a point where the plane is identifiable as one. 

Carl