[kb466]

This second SBD release from Hobby Master represents the initial scheme for SBD-2 Bureau Number 2106. Though there is some of its history on Hawk's site, it should be emphasized that 2106 is truly a historic airplane, having been at Pearl Harbor, and having also attacked the Japanese fleet at Midway. It flew combat off the carrier Lexington CV-2, and was fortunately left behind at Pearl Harbor when the Lexington sailed off to the Battle of the Coral Sea where she was sunk. Even more remarkable is the fact that 2106 survives today. It is beautifully restored and on display in her Midway colors at the US Navy's Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. It would be no understatement to say that 2106 may be the most historic and valued airplane in the Navy's Pensacola collection. As a long time student of the Battle of Midway and a fan of SBD's in general, I have marveled at the career of 2106 and its ability to survive-- a truly remarkable airplane.

[flyXwire]

The more I look at this bird, the more I drool! No 'inked' panel lines and the bare-metal areas of the body gleams like stainless steal! HM just set the bar up a little higher this time
and I hope they will stay consistent with upcoming new releases as well. Hats off to you, Hobby Master!

[Ara1]

It's my understanding that the red dive brake interior color should be metal, not red, for prewar SBDs.

EDIT: OK I found the online article, and it appears it can go either way: red interior (not exactly sure when this was introduced on SBDs) or chrome yellow / aluminum interior (as per the outer wing colors). Here's the article link.

http://www.accurate-miniatures.com/b...dbuild06.shtml

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Ara1

It's my understanding that the red dive brake interior color should be metal, not red, for prewar SBDs.

Originally Posted by Ara1

EDIT: OK I found the online article, and it appears it can go either way: red interior (not exactly sure when this was introduced on SBDs) or chrome yellow / aluminum interior (as per the outer wing colors). Here's the article link.

http://www.accurate-miniatures.com/b...dbuild06.shtml

Thanks O' magnificent one!

[Ara1]

Yer welcome flyX.

That's one nice lookin' diecast model!

[kb466]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

the bare-metal areas of the body gleams like stainless steal!

Not to nitpick, but to clarify-- the so-called "bare-metal" areas of these pre-war USN planes weren't bare metal at all but were painted with aluminum paint. Being on a carrier, in a salt air environment, you can see why they did not want to leave the metal exposed.

[stalag8611]

I visited the great N.A.S. museum at Pensacola in January of this year. While SBD-2 (2106) is indeed on display, it is NOT in the pre-war scheme used by Hobby Master. According to the knowledgeable docents on duty, 2106 did partake in the Battle of Midway, but as a Marine bomber on Midway and not from the deck of the USS Lexington. From memory, here's what I recall: The pilot and gun ner were not originally assigned to the fueled and armed plane; they found the battle and when 2106 returned to Midway it was badly damaged, e.g., landing gear shot away, gunner hit twice (he survived), radio shot away and riddled with bullet holes. The plane was supposed to be scrapped but, typical of a military SNAFU, 2106 was sent stateside and fixed. The old vet was then used as a trainer for SBD pilots and flew off one of the two training carriers (USSWolverine and USS Sable) on Lake Michigan. It crashed on a trainng take off, (LT. Iverson survived) and years later it was retreived, its history traced and today it sits in Pensacola. See the Pensacola N.A.S. website for pictures of 2106 in USMC colors.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by kb466

Not to nitpick, but to clarify-- the so-called "bare-metal" areas of these pre-war USN planes weren't bare metal at all but were painted with aluminum paint. Being on a carrier, in a salt air environment, you can see why they did not want to leave the metal exposed.