[Cardinal]

I was wondering how many of you will be buying/pre-ordering the second 1/32 Dauntless from Hobby Master. This piece of diecast is likely to be truly spectacular given the precedent of the 'yellow wing' Lexington version available in 1/72 which, in my opinion, is one of HM's finest . I for one am looking extremely forward to this release .

Hobby Master 1/32 Premium Collection Air Power Series HA0201 Douglas Dauntless SBD-2 2-B-2, VB-2 USS Lexington CV-2, early 1941

[Captain Eddie]

Probably not, Card. I only have a few 1:32, and all but one of them are plastic. One exception is a Corgi P-51 "Old Crow." Generally just cannot afford the more expensive ones.

[Kubikali]

Me neither. I don't really like this livery (although I might do when the 1/72 model arrives next week...) ánd I am a bit overwhelmed by the 1/32 scale model size. The last couple of weeks I got my first 1/32 Hurricanes and I was somewhat shocked when I opened the box of the first model...

[mustangdriver]

I already have the first one on pre-order, and the second is going to be ordered soon.

[11SQNLDR]

Another voting option could have been: No - i'm only buying the first release. This is my position so whilst i've voted no - not interested I actually do care for it but will settle for HA0200 as space again is the issue.

Champing at the bit for this baby, on pre-order from Pete's and shipping with some other HM new releases

[kb466]

I have the first one on order-- I may get the next one with yellow wings, but I will probably wait. I am hoping they will do an SBD-5 in the tri-color scheme. I would get that for sure. It would nicely complement the HA200 Midway SBD-3 that I have on order.

[djjeffhall]

Yes, I'm absolutely grabbing this one. Already ordered.

[Elmer]

Cardo,

I now have a strict rule that I stick to: no preorders on new / unseen castings from new molds. The prepro pics for the first release look promising, but I must wait and see. I like this pre-war livery, so I am following this release with much interest.

[kb466]

As noted above, I voted that I would wait and see only because I have the first one preordered. That said, some of you might be interested in knowing what a remarkable and historic airplane this second SBD release represents. Here is some information I posted on the UK Diecast Forum about SBD-2 #2106, which is the Dauntless being done as HA0201:

By the way, this second issue from HM is a very significant individual aircraft. It is the only known surviving aircraft that served in the Battle of Midway. It is also one of the first SBD-2's (and the only survivor), having served on the USS Lexington and was in on many of the early raids in the Pacific. It was also at Pearl Harbor during the attack. Finally, when it was removed from the Lexington, it was issued to a USMC unit on Midway and was one of the SBD's that attacked the Japanese carrier fleet and one of the few who survived the attack. It was mauled by Zeroes and was able to return to Midway with over 200 bullet holes and damage. It was repaired and returned to the US where it was used for training. Later in 1943, it ended up in Lake Michigan after missing a landing on a training carrier. In the 1990's it was found in the depths of Lake Michigan and raised. Being so deep and being fresh water, the SBD was remarkably well preserved. It has now been fully restored and is on display at the US Navy Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. The model shows it in its 1940 delivery scheme. If you want to know more about this remarkable and historic plane, here is a link:
http://www.midwaysaircraft.org/DAUNTLESSreport2106.pdf