[RockJock]

The new HM SBD I think is very similar to the Corgi's 1/32 line. And I'm just not impressed with Corgi's either. For a diecast plane that is a 1/32 scale I was expecting it to be rather heavy, it isn't. The plane and the box that it comes in weighs less than four pounds. I was wrong on the list price for this plane. It's not $149.00 it's $164.95.
Another thing is the prop. Just like in the preproduction model the prop droops. Why wouldn't Hobby Master have fixed this problem before mass producing them? I had a Franklin Mint P-47 that had a droopy prop that bugged the hell out of me but I only paid $40.00 for it. And this problem was only on this one plane. All of my other FM P-47's are fine. It sounds like with all the SBD the prop droops, and at a list price of $164 theres no way it should have a problem like this.
I'll be anxious to read others thoughts.

[mustangdriver]

I have got to admitt that while I have two of the SBD's, and not had a chance to open them yet. This being said, I think they are going to be a nice model. But I also agree with RockJock. If you pay $150.00 for a model, it shouldn't have a problem like that prop issue.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by RockJock

The new HM SBD I think is very similar to the Corgi's 1/32 line. And I'm just not impressed with Corgi's either. For a diecast plane that is a 1/32 scale I was expecting it to be rather heavy, it isn't. The plane and the box that it comes in weighs less than four pounds. I was wrong on the list price for this plane. It's not $149.00 it's $164.95.
Another thing is the prop. Just like in the preproduction model the prop droops. Why wouldn't Hobby Master have fixed this problem before mass producing them? I had a Franklin Mint P-47 that had a droopy prop that bugged the hell out of me but I only paid $40.00 for it. And this problem was only on this one plane. All of my other FM P-47's are fine. It sounds like with all the SBD the prop droops, and at a list price of $164 theres no way it should have a problem like this.
I'll be anxious to read others thoughts.

I agree in in principle with you Rock -- the HM SBD feels overpriced and should not have the prop issue, as it sounds like they were aware of it (as a fix is already in the works) but just decided it had to ship for some reason (maybe they needed the cash influx for quarterly numbers or something, who knows). However, I am not ready to condemn the model for the prop issue as they say they are sending me a fix, at no cost to me, that will take this issue off the table. If they don't deliver on this, I will be a bit miffed, to say the least.

Thankfully, I didn't pay $165 -- I paid about $122 delivered, so it is more palatable to me in its current form. I also thought it would be heavier, but there is clearly still a good amount of metal in there. I appreciate the touches the model has, per the original poster.

I don't think it's any worse in terms of materials used and detail level than any Corgi 1:32 I've seen or own. And I paid 100 for my Hartman and Brian Lane Spit.

So, without a stand the price for the SBD does seem out of line, but I say seem because Corgi is getting out of 1:32 -- the most obvious "why" to me is that it wasn't making money for them, they were priced too low to sustain the biz. GMP is getting out of 1:35 -- again, they weren't selling or making enough money for them. So maybe HM's price is where it needs to be to keep the scale going, I don't know? For the price, though, it should have a stand for sure -- and it sounds like they are working on making one available, whether as an optional purchase (like Witty) or included with future releases I don't know, hopefully Hawk will tell us soon.

Other than the prop droop, for me there really is not any one serious gaff that sinks this model for ME, probably as I just dig SBDs so much and the scale is so impressively cool on the shelf. Yes, the pilots suck horribly, but at least you don't have to put them in. I can't stand Corgi's 1:32 "clowns" and they are hard glued to their seats... I'd love to take 'em out but don't want to damage my model in the process.

I really like GMP and thought they were a good value at $150 -- but lets not forget they didn't give you a stand either or a pilot for that matter, save for the P-40s, which require the canopy to be open.

Prices on everything are up these days and to me it's not a big surprise that we are paying a bit more, for a bit less with this model. That said, there is no way I'd pay $165 for this thing, even if the pilot were proper scale and the prop didn't droop -- well, maybe I would have if there was a nice display stand, too. I'm crazy like that.

Even with all its issues, I still like the thing and will be keeping mine.

It will be interesting to see the plastic BBI in comparision, but I've yet to see a plastic model yet that lives up to the pre-release photos when I have it in hand. I've been unable to "go there" for this reason.

My $.02.

[kb466]

This is long—be forewarned.

In view of Rockjock’s comments, let me explain why I like the Hobby Master SBD. First, I also see the drooping propeller as a problem. It doesn’t look right and should not be there. However, that being said, it can be fixed. Maybe I overdid the fix, using a drill press and milling machine, but there have been other more simple fixes posted here as well. Also, HM is coming out with a replacement propeller assembly and it looks like it will be made available to purchasers of the SBD. So, what do you do in the meantime, particularly if you are not really technically skilled? I would recommend shimming the propeller on the bottom of its shaft to support it in its proper position. Another solution might be to glue it in place with a removable glue like Elmers, which will not harm anything, dries clear and is easily removed. You should take the propeller assembly off and glue it while it is lying flat, so that it will be correctly aligned as the glue dries. Of course, the propeller will no longer turn with the glue on it, but it will at least be correctly aligned till the replacement propeller arrives.

Now you ask, how can I praise this SBD in view of this drooping propeller? Well, to me, accuracy in dimensions, outline and details is most important. In these areas, the HM SBD is very well done. It is simply accurate for an SBD-3 as flew at Midway. I think the HM folks did a good job in this respect. The drooping propeller can be fixed as we have discussed. Serious accuracy issues are much more problematic. I have said before that it is not as detailed as I might make my built-up plastic kits, because it is diecast, with all of the limitations that implies. To put in the level of detail I would like to see on my built-up plastic kits, this thing would cost over $500, rather than $150. What is there is well-done, accuracy wise. I was looking at the cockpit last night to see what I could do to improve it, and I was more impressed with what was included in there and how accurately done it was—even though it is hard to see a lot of it.

As to the weight, it seems pretty heavy to me. I was impressed by its heft. It is a lot heavier than my Trumpeter 1/32 plastic SBD models. In fact, I would not want it any heavier as it might cause problems with the landing gear and it might mean that the cockpit walls and such would be overly thick and out of scale. However, I admit others might have a different view on the weight issue. I just feel that it is sufficiently “hefty”.

Another issue is the crew that is provided. Yes, they appear too small and out of scale. Again, this is not a deal breaker for me as I am buying the airplane, not the crew members. I usually display my aircraft without the crew. I am still thinking I might like to put a crew in my SBD, however, so I am weighing my options. One option I am not considering is using the provided crew members. They are just too small and I do not know how that can be fixed. If I go with a crew, I will probably use a couple of 21^st Century pilots. As you can see in other posts, these are extremely well done.

On the issue of crewmembers and what is right for this SBD, let me offer a little bit of information on that point. The crewmembers provided, as well as the 21^st Century Corsair pilots look to be wearing a khaki flight suit. This is probably correct for a lot of Pacific operations, however, I do not think it was right for Midway. At Midway, the SBD crews probably wore M-422A brown leather flight jackets. The M-422A was a goatskin jacket with a brown mouton sheepskin collar. It is similar and a forerunner of the common G-1 USN flight jacket. So why do I say they were wearing leather flight jackets at Midway on a warm June day in the Central Pacific? Well, there are photographs of SBD crewmen from the Enterprise, Yorktown and Hornet taken after their return to the carriers from the June 4^th strikes that shows them wearing their leather jackets. Also, it makes sense when you think that they flew out to attack the Japanese fleet at 18,000 feet with the canopies slid back, and gunners with their guns ready and out in the slipstream, etc. Admittedly, this is more detail than most care about, but I offer it in case someone really wants their SBD (and crew) to accurately portray Wade McCluskey’s plane on June 4^th, 1942 as he led the Enterprise dive bombers to their historic strike on the Kido Butai (the Japanese combined fleet).

[roowalker]

Gonna ramble for just a bit..... SBD is one of my favorite A/C,being as I built 2 of them in'57 when Monogram first released their 1:48th,bomb droppin' wonders that a 9 yr. old managed to make look pretty decent. I got to meet Wade McClusky in '55 as he rented a house from my GrandDad and I got to show him my first ship model,Revell "Mighty Mo".Only much later did I learn of what he accomplished at Midway!!! I have willingly forked out $150.00 for a set of 1:16 metal tracks for my unfinished Tiger I,come on,folks this is 2008 and our currency is a poor joke!!! Regards the model,I see a beautiful finish,very fine join lines,accuracy in shape,etc. These things would be unfixable if poorly done. A droopy prop,dammit, fix it!! Sickly crew,replace or disgard!! I can't expect perfection,I have willingly fixed wheel stance issues on $250.00 CMC diecast cars,O.K.,WHO else is going to do a 1:18 Mercedes SSKL or a Type 35 Bugatti? THe models are incredible,If I can spend a few minutes to make it better with my poor,overaged modeling skills,OK ....Chicken dropping category issues are what we are discussing, not unfixable spoiling concerns..... Mike

[1250ships]

I thought the price on the SBD was high until I happened to look at the prices of 1/32 plastic kits of the same aircraft. They are all $125+ and that is for an unfinished kit.

Let's face it- 1/32 is going to be an expensive scale if you want high quality metal models. If Hobby Master corrects the mistakes they made on this first one $140 for future releases is probably a reasonable price. Sure wish it would sell for under $100 but that isn't going to happen.

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

I thought the price on the SBD was high until I happened to look at the prices of 1/32 plastic kits of the same aircraft. They are all $125+ and that is for an unfinished kit.

Let's face it- 1/32 is going to be an expensive scale if you want high quality metal models. If Hobby Master corrects the mistakes they made on this first one $140 for future releases is probably a reasonable price. Sure wish it would sell for under $100 but that isn't going to happen.

A while back I thought that $120-$130 would have been an appropriate price. With the weakening US$, I would have to admit that $150 appears reasonable although still perhaps a little steep for most customers ...

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

A while back I thought that $120-$130 would have been an appropriate price. With the weakening US$, I would have to admit that $150 appears reasonable although still perhaps a little steep for most customers ...

Just wonder how big the customer base for these high ticket items are?

[Shamrock]

I hope this model is a great success for one simple reason; if it sells well HM will give us more 1/32 aircraft. Mine arrived today and despite a few small niggles I'm thrilled with it. I fixed the droopy prop with chewing gum on the small silver disc behind the shaft. The crew are like something from Gullivers Travels and I left them out.

Don't let a few minor issues stop you from getting a 'cracker'.

[FormerViperDriver]

After reading all the pros and cons, I think I want one of these, but will wait for future releases. HM has a good track record of fixing problems with their moulds, so I'll see if that happens for the SBD. The drooping prop is unacceptable to me in a $150 model. Yes, it can be fixed, but I'd rather let the manufacturer do that for me.

I do hope HM continues their 1/32 line. An F-4U Corsair would ne nice...

FVD