[djjeffhall]

I don't have a real issue with droop on my prop either. If I spin it, it will wobble, but otherwise it's okay.

My big issue is that the bomb release is glued up. My drop mechanism doesn't drop.

While I really like this bird, for $160.00 it should be ultra perfect.

Oh, and a stand. This bird is dying to be shown in flight

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

I don't have a real issue with droop on my prop either. If I spin it, it will wobble, but otherwise it's okay.

My big issue is that the bomb release is glued up. My drop mechanism doesn't drop.

While I really like this bird, for $160.00 it should be ultra perfect.

Oh, and a stand. This bird is dying to be shown in flight

The prop droop seems to be a random problem and you can bet HM is looking at this really close for the second issue. If you have a real problem, feel free to contact your distributor who will take care of you at no expense to you.
As for a stand, one is being developed and will be available in the near future. Before you ask, I don't know at this time if it will be ready for #2, I don't suspect it will.
As for the pilot being short, he was supposed to have a parachute attached to his bottom but that department forgot to add it. This is why one figure is smaller or larger than the other.

[ZS-VAN]

Frankly, I coundn't care if the problem is an easy fix. If I'm spending this much money it should not need me to do any fettling. That's why I buy diecast. HM really needs to get its first and second issues right. I've seen many comments about going for the third HM release. That can't be good.

[kabelace]

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

Frankly, I coundn't care if the problem is an easy fix. If I'm spending this much money it should not need me to do any fettling. That's why I buy diecast. HM really needs to get its first and second issues right. I've seen many comments about going for the third HM release. That can't be good.

I couldn't sat it any better. I really like the look of the second release pre war version, but there is no way that I am putting out that kind of cash for a model that needs fixing. I could buy a kit and assemble and finish it properly a lot cheaper if I wanted something to fiddle with. This is suppose to be a finished product, not a part build or remodel job.

[lanslide]

I'll wait for a Coral Sea, Operation Torch or Atlantic Theater version...by then the problems should be solved and it will include a stand. Of course - it will probably cost $180.00 or more by then!

[kb466]

The way I see it, a person has two choices with respect to the 1/32 SBD-- they can buy it and have a dicast SBD that is overall rather nice and well done, though they may have to do some minor fixes or they can save their money and not have a 1/32 SBD. My point is that it is not perfect, but it is the only 1/32 diecast SBD out there. It is also pretty well done. Yes, I should not have to fix a drooping propeller, but if the alternative is to not have a 1/32 diecast SBD, I will fix the propeller. I also build models, including 1/32 SBD's and I am rather good at it, if I say so myself. The SBD's I am building are far more detailed than this diecast SBD, but I see it as comparing apples and oranges. A detailed plastic model is a very different beast than a commercial diecast airplane. So in the end, I am buying the HM SBD-3, because I have wanted a large diecast Midway scheme SBD for some time and now one is available. I am not going to let a minor and easily fixed issue of a drooping propeller keep me from acquiring one. That is my view of this.

[kabelace]

kb466 you are right buy it or not, all I'm saying is that for the cost of these models HM should have had a little better QC. A droopy prop on a $40.00 model I will bitch about and attempt to repair but if I'm putting out $170.00 it better be worth it and I really don't think this model is. I was really excited when HM stated that the were getting into 1/32 but at there cost and quality right now, not any more.

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

The prop droop seems to be a random problem and you can bet HM is looking at this really close for the second issue. If you have a real problem, feel free to contact your distributor who will take care of you at no expense to you.
As for a stand, one is being developed and will be available in the near future. Before you ask, I don't know at this time if it will be ready for #2, I don't suspect it will.
As for the pilot being short, he was supposed to have a parachute attached to his bottom but that department forgot to add it. This is why one figure is smaller or larger than the other.

Thanks for the reply Hawk. Personally, I'm not too happy that a stand will be available for later versions and one wasn't provided with the initial SBD which I bought. As for the pilot/gunner, the addition of the parachute still doesn't answer the question as to why their munchkins. Anyone with rudimentary knowledge of model scales can see right away that these figures are not 1/32nd scale and any amount of justifying of parachutes/no parachutes will not make them 1/32 scale! Mine happen to come with parachutes and they still look underscaled! The pictures I've included are roughly scaled but I think they illustrate the differences in scale and show HM's pilots are closer to 1/35 than 1/32.

IMHO, issues like these as well something like the canted stabs on the first release A-10 kinda sour people to a company's products. I happen to love most of HM's products and think that they've done an awesome job overall but the issues that have been mentioned are things that should've been foreseen as issues by HM and should've been hammered out before production. Just my $.02.

-Trex

[Old Crow]

The prop droop seems to be a random problem and you can bet HM is looking at this really close for the second issue. If you have a real problem, feel free to contact your distributor who will take care of you at no expense to you.
As for a stand, one is being developed and will be available in the near future. Before you ask, I don't know at this time if it will be ready for #2, I don't suspect it will.
As for the pilot being short, he was supposed to have a parachute attached to his bottom but that department forgot to add it. This is why one figure is smaller or larger than the other.

So Hawk, will HM make the stand and/or an improved pilot available to purchasers of the first model?

Even if these are not provided gratis, perhaps it would be a wise gesture for HM to offer these at their cost or for a nominal fee. They could make them available through their dealers who would presumably limit them to those who actually purchased the first model.

[stalag8611]

As for me gang. I'm waiting for 21Century Toys to release their version of the Coral Sea SBD-3. At $14.96 at Wallyworld I'll bet that the crew will be better done, the prop won't droop and the rivet counters will need Valium to calm them down. I understand, from a usually reliable source, that they're due out in 16 days. Watch for 'em.