As noted in my Collection update thread, this SBD touched down at Diecast Ace Field today, which was great and all -- but boy did it shoot my work day to pieces!
I snapped some quick pics as I know there's a lot of interest in this one. If you have any specific questions about the model I can try to answer them. And yes, this is the final retail version.
My initial impressions are that it is much better from a fit/finish and QA perspective than the first release. The gap/seap on the nose by the widscreen is much tighter on this model, the prop droop is all but gone (still might droop a smidge... a smidge... ), and the pilot is even "improved". I put improved in quotes as it looks like he was given a much bigger arse with a parachute molded onto his butt to make him sit higher. Anyways, it works and looks better. The gunner may be the same as the first release, as I have to dig those figures out to compare them... looks like he's sitting low still??
The gun cover still doesn't fit without some filing help, and there's still no display stand. However HM has fixed two of the four major issues with the first release it seems -- the prop and pilot -- with still the stand to go (the price I don't see changing). And, this one doesn't have any glue smudges or other factory blemishes so far that I've discovered.
If you held off on the first release to get this one, I think you will be happy with what you get -- this model is truly stunning "live". The paint scheme is striking and will draw "ohs and ahs" from family members that really don't give a hoot about such models (I tested it on my family), and the bare metal finish is really well done IMHO. Now, I don't know an SBD-2 from an SBD-3 so those more "in the know" can step forward with their thoughts, hopefully.
Without futher ado -- the pics! (Note: I shot these with a higher f-stop that usual so the colors may be a tad over-saturated, still playing with that... but it is quite colorful.)
If you want to see them in full screen glory, go here:
Steve's Photo Site 
I would like to see HM improve the machineguns...
