[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by PappyB

OK Hornchurch you inspired me to do a quick reshoot of this model with my new photo lamp that came today... (I couldn't get all that dust off though! I had the model out on a shelf for a couple years before finally getting it behind glass... )

I was dismayed to see that my version has sticker decals, rather than pad printing... though that shouldn't really surprise me given when I got it (three years ago when FM was doing lots of stickers...). I may put this one up on the bay and try to replace it with a pad-printed one... we shall see. All my SBD models may be rendered obsolete when HM's 1:32 beast comes to town.

There I go, rambling again... on with the pics! Got some more tweaking to do but these are at least better than those old school shots I still have up on my site. Can't beat the history behind this scheme.

Pappy, many, many thanks for posting......

Those Photo's are pure-class & knock your others into a 'cocked-hat' !!!!!!!!!!

If (by any chance ?) you DO have the "Operation-Torch" S.B.D , can you replicate the process, please ? ...... & do this 'F.M.''Bird' some much-needed justice !!!!!!!!!

I highlighted the print in your quote, as mine, too, appears to have Decals, rather than 'Pad-Printed', despite coming in a much-later 'F.M.' box.

I wish someone;knowledgeable on the 'F.M.' range, could explain at what point they changed from Decals, to 'Pad-Printed' markings ???????

The (Beautiful) Grumman F.6-F's I've picked up, have mostly come-in older CDC/Armour-Collection boxes, with their 'Silver-Top/Blue-bottom' (Earlier-style).

Without doubt, these two 'Moulds' are the 'Stars' (SBD/F.6-F) that are in amongst the discounted 'F.M.' aircraft, along with their various A.10's & B.25-Mitchell's

Maybe the rest, ('F.M' a/c) do rank as 'Also-Rans' or untouchables, but, for my (very-fussy) eye for profiles/colours/markings etc, the 'F.M.' SBD & F.6-F's look accurate enough & are considered to be "a right-bargain" as we'd say this side of the pond !!!!!!!

I fully understand your comments; Re the 'New' forthcoming Hobbymaster SBD.

I'd expect it to be 'awesome', too

No point in comparison - & not fair anyway, given the age & price differential.

I reckon (at a guess) that there ARE 'no-such' things, as a 'Pad-Printed' "Ace Of Spades" 'F.M.' SBD & that it - so not worth worrying about.

Times change - Goal-posts 'shift' - & Die-cast A/c get better & better....

Natural progression.........

So, given their age & discount price, these "Once-King" 'F.M' SBD's, are about to be 'de-throned' by Hobbymasters 1/32 offering !