SBD-3 VS-6 Midway
This model represents an SBD-3 from VS-6 USS Enterprise June 4th, 1942, crewed by ENS Frank O’Flaherty and AMM1 Bruno Gaido. Both Gaido and O’Flaherty were captured by the IJN after ditching their aircraft. After both men were interrogated, they had weights attached to them and thrown overboard to drown. This the Trumpeter Midway “Clear Edition”. As many have stated over the years, this is a pretty good kit! I wouldn’t mind building another one. The only AM used was an Yahu IP; my wife made the squadron decal ID numbers for me. I used AK Paints exclusively on this build.
Looks really amazing, Rod!
I'm sorry Rod, I must have missed it in your article... what airshow were the photos taken at? 🙃
Nice work...good result.
Beautiful result. Looks like reference photos until you see the interior balanced on the roll of painters tape.
Knockout Dauntless! Excellent photos. What’s the name of the airport museum where I can see this Beauty? Belongs at the NAM in Pensacola, FL. Trumpy comes thru on this kit as you have demonstrated,.
I like that idea.
Rod
Wow. Excellent build. The real background helps make the model feel more real.
This is a superb result, Rod @rodbettencourt
At first I thought the pictures were taken of a real warbird.
Well done.
I thought I was looking at a picture of a real plane! Excellent build and excellent pictures! Where and how did you make these pictures?
I am currently building a SBD-5 from Trumpeter. I can only hope it comes out like this.
Very well done!
Hello Erik,
These pictures are done with my Iphone. There is no trick to it. I just set the model on a base and start snaping. I build and paint for scale effect(make it look 1:1 scale) to the best of my abilities. So in the end it will look scale or it will still look like a model. I spend a lot of time in the painting and weathering process. Hope this helps and finds you well.
Rod
That look exceptionally real. First class weathering job and build!
magnificent!
Great job. Great photos.
Fantastic work!
This is some of your best work, Rod.
The pix are great, and very convincing; the only give away being the FAT terminal in the distant background.
Congratulations on this excellent mocel.!
Thank you Marvin, hope you are doing well.
Rod
Now, that's how models are supposed to look, and how they're best presented! 🤩 Wow, what a gorgeous model, Rod and displayed with some terrific photo work, as well @rodbettencourt! 👏
Thank you Gary!
Rod
Wonderful
Another winner Rod, @rodbettencourt. It really is a great looking build and really shows even better in the natrual light of the sun. I really like your paint work on this kit.
Fantastic. Superb build and photos!
This is a real stand out, stand up, terrific job Rod, @rodbettencourt. Really magnificent. Excellent work on the kit, weathering, and realistic photos. Like others have said, this is very convincing.
Rod, Very nice model, All I can say is "this is sweet"!
Love the photography you pulled off!
Beautiful work and an incredible, highly realistic, result.
Trumpy made the fight move when they decided to upscale AM's finest kit.
Well done, Rod (@rodbettencourt). Really nice paint and weathering. As Carl said, you have really created a stand out model. The newest "Midway" movie (2019) depicts the incident that you mention at the start of your post.
Beautifully done!
Beautifully done and photographed! You would think it was the real deal!