1/48 Accurate Miniatures SB2C-1C

 Helldiver 

by Eric Hargett

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Here is another of my submissions to ARC.  To continue building my WWII naval aircraft collection I decided to build Accurate Miniatures SB2C-1C (which is basically a re-issue of the old ProModeler kit).  The kit has crisp engraved panel lines, few sink or ejector pin marks and comes with nice photoetched parts.  My kit represents aircraft #21 of VB-17 stationed on the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17). 

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Overall the kit went together well.  Putty was needed along the ventral wing root and between the bomb bay flaps.  The photoetched parts went on well.  The cockpit and wheel wells were painted Model Master zinc chromate green.  A black oil wash with a white oil drybrushing were then applied.  To get that faded salt-weathered look of many WWII US naval aircraft at sea, I performed the following steps:

1) Entire model was painted with Floquil Flat Aluminum to provide a smooth gloss shine and an aluminum base color when it came time for paint chipping.

2) All panel lines were pre-shaded with Flat Black

3) Tamiya Flat White primer was applied to the lower fuselage and ventral surfaces.

4) Ventral surfaces were touched-up with Tamyia Flat White.

5) Aeromaster US Intermediate Blue was lightly airbrushed where appropriate. Successive tints of this color were airbrushed inside panels.

6) Aeromaster US Sea Blue was then lightly airbrushed on the dorsal surfaces.  Again successive tints of this color were applied inside panel lines.  The objective was to randomly apply the color, resulting in different hues and shades within panels.

7) A final light overcoat of US Sea Blue was applied over both the previously applied Sea Blue and Intermediate Blue.

8) All panel lines were highlighted with an acrylic wash of 1 part earth red and 1 part black.

9) All panel lines were then highlighted with an acrylic wash of neutral gray and black.

10) Only panel lines within the Sea Blue portion of the plane were highlighted with an acrylic wash of flat black.

11) Lamp black, raw umber and burnt umber oil paints were used for streaks and stains.

12) Flat clear was applied.

13) A mix of light gray and black pastel chalk dust was used on the walkways.

14) Medium gray pastel dust was applied on all Sea Blue panel lines.  Pastels were applied to both sides of panel lines parallel to air flow.  Pastels were only applied to the trailing edge of panel lines perpindicular to air flow.

15) The pastel dust was smoothed with a large brush and finger tips where appropriate.

16) Exhaust stains were applied in a sequence of brown, brown/black, black and finished with black pastels.

17) A light mist of 50/50 US Sea Blue and Flat White was applied over the entire model except the white surfaces.

18) Finally paint chips were developed, a light mist of Tamiya smoke and another coat of Clear Flat finished the model.

The three-toned camoflauge was done with a combination of free-hand, sticky tack and paper masks to get those soft demarcation lines.  Fishing tippet was used for the radio rigging.  The decals came with the kit and went on effortlessly with a little Solvaset.  Overall, I'm pleased with the result and hope you all like it. 

Eric

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Photos and text © by Eric Hargett