SB2C-5 Helldiver

[Roger]

I've been making some progress on this one - but forgot to post anything until today.  Anyway, the pictures show where we are up to so far - nearly ready for paint.
TTFN,
Roger

[Bigkev]

Hi Roger,
Looking good, will this be in Aeronavale Colours, as per box art?
Always like the rugged look of the Helldiver.
Will keep watching with interest.
Cheers,
Bigkev

[bridlufc]

Nice detail work there Roger,  will the cockpit work be hidden by the canopy? Shame if it is

Bridlufc

[Roger]

Hi Chaps
The canopies will both be open so the work should be visible.  To be honest, all you see is in the box, I just splashed some paint on, so it wasn't really a lot of work!

This one will be Aeronavale, but using the Modelart sheet that is in  preparation rather than the kit decals - this is another model for J-P  to use on his stand, and I will build a second one for myself when this one is done.  The second one will include open flaps/dive brakes so it was good to build this one first to see if there will be any problems.

Cheers
Roger

[Roger]

Here we are with some paint on.  I undercoated with Alclad II Aluminium, and then gave everything a coat of hairspray straight from the can.
The blue used is a mix of Tamiya colours, as I've never quite been satisfied with what I've tried before.  I preshaded with XF17 sea blue, then filled in the gaps and levelled it all out a bit with a 50:50 mix of XF17 and XF8 Flat blue. Finally a highlight coat of equal parts of XF17, XF8 and XF18 Medium blue was used.
The paint was then made wet with a flat brush (using just cold water, one panel at a time) and after allowing about 5 or 6 seconds to soften was scratched up a bit with a cocktail stick and a toothbrush, following pictures to get the chipping in the appropriate areas and patterns.
Finally everything was sealed in with Klear.
This one will have to go to one side now waiting for the decals to be printed, which should be around September.
Cheers for now,
Roger

[Bigkev]

Hi Roger,
That is beginning to look very nice. Keep chipping away, it will all come together soon.
(Sorry, could not resist the pun!)
Cheers,
Bigkev

[Roger]

I picked up the Modelart Decals at Telford and have now finally completed this one.
This was a commission for Modelart, so you should be able to see it on their stand at shows.
It represents an SB2C-5 as used in the war in French Indo-China (Vietnam).  When first introduced the blue in the roundels and tail stripes was just the underlying sea blue colour.  Later in France and North Africa they used the usual lighter blue.  I think it looks pretty warlike painted this way.
Hope you like it.
Cheers
Roger

[zak]

The chipping looks effective, nice.

[Roger]

Thanks Zak, it was fun to do too!

[Haddock]

As always, really nice.
Haddock.

[MSea]

Another excellent model.

[Roger]

Thanks Chaps, much appreciated.

Roger

[Bigkev]

Hi Roger,
Can I just say 'Magnifique!'
Cheers,
Bigkev