[kb466]

Well, I received my Hobby Master 1/32 SBD-3 a couple of days ago from Aim Higher Jets. Being a bit of a student of the SBD and probably knowing more about them than most people, I thought I would post some thoughts and impressions. First, it is big and impressive size and weight-wise. With the limitations inherent in a large diecast model, it is actually quite an accurate representation of an SBD-3. Looking it over, I am fairly certain that HM used the Trumpeter 1/32 plastic SBD-3 as their master. As far as I am concerned, this is a good thing as the Trumpeter kit is very nice and quite accurate itself. The negative aspects are that the crew is too small. I can live with this as I usually leave the crew out of my planes anyway. However, it would have been nice to have a crew the quality of the 21^st Century Corsair pilot which has been displayed here. If that had been the case, I would have been sorely tempted to put a crew in when displaying my SBD. The dive brakes are not easy to work and seem a bit flimsy. However, they look good closed, so that is how they will be displayed. And yes, my SBD had an extreme case of propeller droop. For a fix, I drilled out the pin and removed it from the propeller and replaced it with a short length of brass rod. I also drilled out the front of the engine and inserted a short length of brass tubing for the brass rod to slide into. Now the propeller no longer droops, and all is well with the world. I am not sure that I would advise using this technique unless you have a drill press or milling machine. It sounds like a simple job, but unless you can carefully align the angle of the drill and make everything “square”, the propeller might not end up straight at all but may be more skewed than ever. If you doubt your abilities, I would use a temporary shim or removable glue and then wait for the replacement propellers from HM.

As I have studied this thing for the past couple of days, I have become more impressed and pleased with it. I will be doing some improvements to mine. I plan to add some seatbelts to the interior. I will also do some subtle weathering and exhaust stains. I say “subtle” because this particular SBD was fairly new at the time of the Battle of Midway. Panel lines will be subtly accented. I know some cringe at this, but I think it is really necessary on a model of this size. The firewall will be painted aluminum as they usually were (but not always) on the real thing. This will show as a ring of silver behind the cowl flaps. There will be other fine detail painting as appropriate. One thing that should be noted is that the insignia on the plane have the white overpainted red centers. The red very subtly shows through. Considering when the actual SBD “GC” was manufactured, that is probably exactly how it was at Midway. Nice touch, HM.

In conclusion, and having had some time to study and enjoy it, I am quite happy with my purchase. As I said, it is a pretty decent and accurate example of an SBD. There are a few problems, but overall, I think it was a nice job.

[skydriver]

kb,

I hope you will take some "before" and "after" photos for everyone to see.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by skydriver

kb,

I hope you will take some "before" and "after" photos for everyone to see.

Agree,,, please do some before and after shots. It sure makes for a neat comparison.

[kb466]

I will take some pictures, but it probably won't be till next week as I expect to do the work this weekend hopefully. The "before" looks like all the other HM SBD pictures already posted.

[jjgilz]

I'm glad you liked the model! They sold out so quickly that I didn't even have time to save one for myself! Now they are sold out at the distributor as well. Oh well. Eagerly waiting for your pictures!

[PappyB]

Hey KB, thanks for the historical perspective on this bird, it's good, given all the debate about the obvious flaws, to hear about some of the subtle postives. Look forward to seeing the results of your customizations.... then get ready for mine to arrive at your field for same :-)

[flyXwire]

I too am looking forward to your photos especialy the part where you're going to add improvements in the cockpit area.

[kb466]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

I too am looking forward to your photos especialy the part where you're going to add improvements in the cockpit area.

The improvements in the cockpit really will be minimal. I will probably add a set of seat belts and also add the steel hoist cable in the front cockpit. The brackets are there for the cable, but not the cable itself. I am not going to do more, just because I do not want to completely dismantle it to get access to the cockpit and it is a diecast model-- meaning it will never be as detailed as I might do on a plastic kit. Another thing I am thinking of adding is the wiring on the engine. The wiring harness is there on the engine, but not the wires going out to the cylinders. Also, as I have stated, weathering will be minimal and hopefully subtle. At the time this plane flew at Midway, it had not been in carrier service long and would not have been weather-beaten.

[RockJock]

I'm not impressed with the new Hobby Master SBD at all. For being a die-cast plane and in 1/32 scale I would think that it would have a lot more heft to it. I don't know if its much heavier than a plastic model. The prop also droops badly on my model as well. I'm pretty sure that this is my first and last HM SBD.
My opinion the dealer cost of $82.48 would be more in line with what the plane is worth, certainly not $149.95.
Anyone who has one,, just compare the quality of it to one of the GMP planes. This SBD doesn't even come close.

[Shawn 507]

Wow between the the first post and this latest one (not mine), there seems to be some difference of opininion. However the original poster kb466 seems to speak from a base of knowledge. While the other sounds, well you know....
If I had the spare cash I'd get both. I think kb466 has provided me with more than enough reason, and well SBDs are just plain cool.