[Phantom Phan1200]

Still not the best light but these came out O.K.

[mustangdriver]

Pretty cool, I think I might need one.

[Phantom Phan1200]

Yeah I think the open dive flaps are a cool touch.

[parsig9]

Awesome! Mine is on the way and again, the open dive breaks make it and may not be repeated. A must have.

I'm really starting to dig these Navy planes more. I started as a dyed in the wool BOB fan and now with all the Dogfights episodes and new books I've gotten, like The Blue Devils by Osprey, I'm leaning PTO for the first time ever.

What's happening to me?!?! My Spitfires are starting to look jealous and keep asking me, what blue eyes has on them.

[flyXwire]

That's just a sweeeeet looking dive-bomber. I can't wait to get my grubby hands on the Avenger.

[mustangdriver]

I just noticed that his is the sister ship to the aircraft in the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.

[STARMAN 352ND]

I like mine it's really cool plane to have in your collection.
Only thing i'm not used to seeing is the yellow ring around the star.
This is the only plane i have like that.
JP

[Elmer]

Hobby Master Air Power Series
HA0126

Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Bureau No. 03235
VS-41, USS Ranger

I recently received the Operation Torch Dauntless. This one can now sit alongside my USS Lexington Dauntless. I must admit, HM has won me over with their Dauntless releases; these little models are absolutely beautiful. There has been a lot written about HM's Dauntless and I wholeheartedly concur with the praise this mold has earned. I won't bore you with a long winded description of the Operation Torch model's details; however, I wanted to comment on two aspects which impress me.

First, and most obvious, the open dive brakes look stunning. At 1:72 scale, I am amazed with the intricate detail HM has poured into this component of the model. We all know the dive brake holes are crafted for sunlight to pour right through, but this is nicely accentuated on this particular model; not one of the holes has residual material in it... each hole is perfectly and intricately formed for light to pass right through. It is a bit hard for me to say for certain, but if the dive brakes are not photo etched metal, they sure fool me. The red interior of the dive brakes also looks terrific and contrasts beautifully with the blue wings and fuselage. The open brakes also feel firm in their open postion, and they look even more terrific in the interior than the exterior! The interior of the brakes has ribbing detail and also, it appears, some hinge detail where they connect to the wings.

Second, the wash on this model is terrific... it is more subdued than the Lexington model. HM gets kudos from me for their washes. For those of you who have or have seen IXO and FOV models up close and personal, you probably already know that HM's wash is tasteful and artistic... it really gives the model contrast and life. It also makes the model look "used."

Oh, I have to say two more things: the yellow banded U.S. insignia on the fuselage is eye-catching. My eye is drawn immediately to this and the dive brakes. I've got my model displayed in flight with the bomb in release position. It is just too cooooool! And finally, has anyone noticed the tiny intricate rivet detail on the elevators (of all the Dauntless models), near what appears (to my non-pilot eye) to be the trim tabs? These are the tiniest rivets I have seen in diecast... they easily hold up against the best plastic models. How did HM get these to hold a wash?? It is absolutely incredible. Oh, one more thing, the fit and finish (paint, graphics, etc.) are picture perfect.

What can I say, I really admire this little model. Thank you Hobby Master! Diecast collecting has become more fun and exciting for me since you arrived on the scene! I hope this little write-up helps you enjoy Phantom Phan's great pictures of this model again.

[jim]

I hope Corgi is taking notes.

[parsig9]

Originally Posted by jim

I hope Corgi is taking notes.

They went a step further...they took the casting!