Slow But Deadly

Historical Background

The Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bomber had its genesis in the shape of Northrop BT-1 dive-bomber. The BT-1 was designed by Ed Heinemann (who went on to design many of Douglas' aircraft) and built by Northrop Aircraft to the same 1934 Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) specifications that resulted in Vought's SB2U Vindicator. Only 54 BT-1 were purchased by the US Navy, serving with VB-5 and VB-6 on board USS Yorktown and USS Enterprise. In 1937, Northrop was taken over by the Douglas Aircraft Company, becoming the latter's El Segundo Division, but all of Northrop's active projects were continued by Douglas.

Ed Heinemann continued work on the BT-1, which was was developed into the XBT-2. The perforated dive-brakes of the BT-1 was retained as they eliminate tail buffering during diving maneuvers. The rearward-retracting landing gears of the BT-1 were however changed to a laterally-retracting gears. Wind tunnel tests resulted in further modifications to the flight controls and leading edge slots, a dorsal fin was also added. Since Douglas has taken over the design, it was designated SBD (Scout Bomber, Douglas). The production aircraft was powered by the Wright R-1820 9-cylinder radial engine, producing 1,000 hp during take-off (in its Dash 32 version). A 1,000 lb bomb, mounted on a swinging cradle can be carried underneath the fuselage together with a 100 lb bomb underneath each wing. Two 12.7mm machine guns were fixed to fire forward in the nose and a single 7.62mm machine gun was mounted on a flexible mount in the radio operator/observer station.

In April 1939, the US Marine Corps and the US Navy ordered the new plane, designated SBD-1 and SBD-2 respectively. The SBD-2 differed from the SBD-1 by having 65 US gallon tanks in the outer wing panels and armament was reduced by one 12.7mm machine gun. The SBD-1 entered service in late 1940 and the SBD-2 in early 1941. In early 1941, the SBD-3 was introduced, featuring increased armour, self-sealing fuel tanks and four machine guns. The SBD-4 provided a 12 volt electrical system, replacing the 6 volt used on the previous variants. The most-produced variant was the SBD-5, equipped with 1,500 hp engine and increased ammunition supply. The final version was the SBD-6. The USAAF also operated their version of the Dauntless, called the A-24 Banshee. The Banshee lacked the tail hook and the solid rear tyre was replaced with a pneumatic one.

The Dauntless entered squadron service in late 1940 when VMB-2 received their SBD-1s. The US Navy received theirs late in 1941 when VB-6 on board USS Enterprise and VB-2 received their SBD-2s. The Dauntless was also supplied to the Fleet Air Arm , designated Dauntless Mk. I but was not used operationally. The Dauntless's first taste of action was during the Pearl Harbor attack where USN and USMC aircraft were destroyed on the ground. They also became the first aircraft to sink a Japanese warship, the submarine I-70 on 10 December 1941. The Dauntless, being the primary scout/dive-bomber of the US Navy took part in the various raids on Japanese bases and installations in the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, New Guinea, Rabaul, Wake Island and Marcus Island. It faced the first big test during the Battle of Coral Sea in May 1942, sinking the light carrier Shoho and damaging the fleet carrier Zuikaku.

The Dauntless's finest hour was, without doubt, during the Battle of Midway in June 1942 where they spearheaded the attacks that sank carriers Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu and also the heavy cruiser Mikuma. The USMC SBDs however were less effective during the battle, using the easier-to-intercept (as they have not yet been trained in dive-bombing) glide bombing technique. The SBDs then took part in every Pacific island-hopping campaign with their last major engagement being the Battle of Philippine Sea in June 1944. The Marines continued using their SBDs until the end of the war. The SBD also saw operations in the Atlantic during Operation Torch and Operation Leader. The SBD was eventually replaced by Curtiss SB2C Helldiver in 1944. A total of 5,936 SBDs were built with the last rolling off the production line on 21 July 1944. Its battle records showed it has sunk 6 carriers, 14 cruisers, 6 destroyers, 15 transport ships and numerous smaller craft.

The Kit

The Accurate Miniatures kit of the SBD is hailed by modelers worldwide as one of, if not the best kit in the world. The word Accurate is definitely not a gimmick! The parts were spread among six light grey and one clear sprues. They are bagged in separate bags and the clear parts, decals and the instruction sheet is hidden under a false bottom, which features a nice profile of the SBD. The AM instruction sheet is definitely not the norm with written instructions supplementing the rather simplified diagrams, yet it was easy to follow. Furthermore, while other manufacturers put the 'follow the instructions carefully' warning, they were not in large, bold format! It was a sensible precaution however as Accurate Miniatures' instructions are not strong on graphics. A small decal sheet is provided, with just one marking scheme - 'S-12' off USS Lexington during The Battle of Coral Sea.

Construction

As usual, construction started at the cockpit. I painted the interior parts while still on their sprues as I found that it was easier to touch up the scars later on. While I obediently following the instruction sheet, I found out that certain steps have to be done out of synch. For example the map table - if one follows the instructions, I wonder what kind of calisthenics one's fingers have to do in order to fit it inside an already assembled fuselage? The various boxes and switches were cemented to their places on the sidewalls. The gunner's MG mount was assembled and it, along with the bulkheads and various panels in-between the cockpit walls were then cemented to the right-hand fuselage half. While the cement is still soft, the fuselage halves were mated together, aligning the in-between parts along the way. The completed lower assembly of the cockpit was then inserted into the fuselage from below.

The one-piece lower wing was then cemented to the fuselage and was followed by the separate upper halves. There was only a small spot on the wing roots which needed puttying. This was then followed by the two-piece horizontal taiplanes. The hook was however left off. Moving to the front of the fuselage, I first painted the engine Steel followed by dry-brushing of Silver. The machine guns were painted Flat Black and cemented beneath the upper forward fuselage piece. The forward fuselage pieces were then cemented together, taking care to avoid any seam lines. The engine was then cemented to the bulkhead and the cowling closed around it. AM gave you the option of having the dive flaps in closed, partially open or fully open positions. As I was thinking of having the flaps partially open, I only add the internal structure and the upper half of the split flap. Moving to the bottom of the fuselage, I only add the fairing for the bomb cradle, leaving everything else off until after painting and decalling.

Painting and Decalling

Early war US Navy aircraft were painted in a two-tone grey. Using the Tamiya F4F kit as guide, I painted the lower fuselage using a mixture of Tamiya XF-2 Flat White and XF-19 Sky Grey. For the upper fuselage, I mixed Tamiya XF-18 Medium Blue and XF-2 Flat White. But before that the wheels wells were painted Interior Green while the inside surfaces of the flaps were painted X-7 Red. Decals provide markings for only a single plane - 'Sail 12' of VS-2 during the Battle Of The Coral Sea. This is the plane flown by Lt (jg) John Leppla with gunner ARM3 John Liska during the Battle where, despite flying a dive bomber, the two of them managed to down five Japanese aircraft - Leppla downed three Zeroes DURING the diving run on the light carrier Shoho and a Kate two days later whilst serving as anti-torpedo bomber CAP. Liska also managed to down a pursuing Zero during the same engagement. Leppla, having proven himself as a fighter pilot, was later promoted to Lieutenant and posted to VF-10. He was killed in action during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. As for 'Sail 12', she went down with the Lexington when the latter was sunk.

The Accurate Miniatures decals are thin and went down without much trouble. The full designation '2-S-12' was also included even though the actual plane only have the partial codes during the Battle of Coral Sea. Whilst it is not known whether VS-2 still have their squadron logos during the battle (which Accurate Miniatures acknowledged), I put them on the model to break the monotony of a two-tone grey scheme. Unlike other manufacturers' kits with 'Sail 12' markings, no 'kill marks' were included, as they were actually applied (together with '2-S-12' on the fuselage sides) on another. 'publicity' Dauntless. There is one little goof though - the aircraft ID (or whatever it is called) on the rudder read 'SBD-5' whereas this plane is an SBD-3! Oh well, it is small enough and I can get away with it. The decals were then subjected to Mr. Mark Softer treatment and they all reponded beautifully.

Finishing

My finishing process started by making the model 'stand on its feet' i.e by attaching the landing gears. Care has to be taken here as the Dauntless's main landing gears are basically of 'Z' shape (when viewed from the front) and need to be properly aligned. Once this was done, the rest of the parts can now be permanently attached to the model. The lower flaps went on first, followed by the bomb cradle and carrying pylons and of course, the bombs. The separate canopy pieces were then put in place and I decided to have the gunner's compartment in the open position. The rear machine gun, pitot tubes and radio aerial were then cemented. The fit between the pilot's canopy and the fuselage wasn't good, as the windshield sit too far back. The model then was subjected to watercolour sludge wash. The excess was removed using damp cotton balls and earbuds. Exhaust stains were made using Tamiya X-19 Smoke and Tamiya Weathering Master 'Soot'. Everything was then sealed with Flat Clear.

Conclusion
AM kits is recognised as among the best in the hobby. Whilst one might initially be awed/intimidated by the level of detail and the different approach in instructions, it is not really difficult nor troublesome in the end. Too bad I have ran out of space in the display cabinet as I am very keen on their TBF Avenger and Shturmovik kits. Highly recommended.