Curtiss Helldiver SBC-4,1/72 Heller
I was reluctant in building this, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to rig it, my manual dexterity not what it used to be. but It’s been in my stash for so long. It’s done up as in the overall light grey of 1941, of a craft from Scouting three. I’ve included a photo of Scouting three of which I believe is straight out of the movie Dive Bomber!. The last shot shows the parallels of navy camouflage. in the forties it went from the colorful yellow wings and color coded tails to the interim overall gray and to the tri color/gloss blue schemes. In the late seventies the squadrons were told to tone down the colorful markings that adorned navy aircraft since the late fifties, ending up with overall gloss grey for a time, until they standardized drab tactical paint of today. The decals are Print scale U.S. white numbers and letter sheet and from the stash, Testors flat lt. grey.
8 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on March 9, 2018
Rob, love those between-the-wars biplanes, end of the line for most of them. I believe this was the last biplane procured for the Navy. It went to mostly the Reserves, the Marines, and a couple of scouter squadrons. The Marines actually deployed them to the Pacific, on Samoa, though (luckily) they saw no action. Your markings choice shows the transition from the colorful prewar markings, to the camouflage in the run-up to war. Matchbox had a -4 also, Hellers is better. Again, IMHO.
Anthony Conway said on March 9, 2018
Looks good Robert.
Craig Abrahamson said on March 9, 2018
Nice clean little build, Robert (love that outdoor shot against the sky). 🙂
david leigh-smith said on March 9, 2018
One of my early memories of movies on TV and I still watch every time it’s on.
Great work, Robert.
Jeff Bailey said on March 10, 2018
I remember going with Mother to my Grandfather Bailey’s house when I was about 3 or 4 years old. They were watching King Kong on the telley (TV) and I vividly remember being sooo scared that I hid behind my Mother’s skirt!
My Dad and Grandfather were there as well as Dad’s Brother, Uncle Jim and one of his friends. They all had a great laugh at my expense.
Allan J Withers said on March 9, 2018
Looks good Robert, nicely done.
paul teixeira said on March 9, 2018
Love that plane. Nice subject to model.
David A. Thomas said on March 9, 2018
Very nice, and educated me, too.
John Healy said on March 9, 2018
Nice work, Robert.
Jeff Bailey said on March 10, 2018
Great SBC, Robert.
Dirk Derks said on March 10, 2018
Hello Robert,
Great model, besides being a very interesting subject.
Regards, Dirk / The Netherlands.
Louis Gardner said on March 10, 2018
Very Nice Robert !!! It looks great my friend. Adding in the color photo from the Movie is a great idea.
Robert Royes said on March 10, 2018
Thanks all!
George Williams said on March 11, 2018
Rigging or no rigging it looks great.
Greg Kittinger said on March 12, 2018
Very fun! Nice to see it in that mono-scheme of grey, and the line up with the Phantom is great! Good job on it, rigging or no.
Mark Krumrey said on September 17, 2019
One of my favorite Bi-Planes. You did a nice job on this kit, rigging notwithstanding. It’s too bad there was never a nice one molded in 1/48 scale. I like your comparison with the Phantom as well. I use RB products British Rigging wire, cut it to length and pop it in. Works great. Saves on the old MK.I eyeballs too.