discussion Matchbox Curtiss SBC4 Hell Diver on Deck

[rtfoe]

Hi All,

I've always wanted to know if there was a last bi-plane in US Navy WW2 service. It turned out to be the Curtiss SBC4 Helldiver. Although it never went to battle it had the distiction to be the last bi-plane in US carrier service.

I featured this in the last MM forum and I bet many here have not seen it come up from the start...

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This old Matchbox kit was amongst my stash for quite a while and it was time I had a go at it...

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The parts were crisp and they came with the usual multi coloured plastic. The horizontal surfaces like the wings panel lines are engraved, the fuselage was raised so scribing was needed for that.

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The interior was very spartan basically empty ...I added ribbing and basic throttle box and firewalls.

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The seats were just L shaped plastic so plastic card and some shaping took care of that.

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More gizmology was added including tracks to the floor and hump for the joystick. I drilled holes to the back firewall to simulate light weight panelling.

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I dry fitted the halves together to check if the additions blocked fitting.

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Next painting the interior...

 

[rtfoe]

I sprayed the assembly with interior green including the undercarriage bay...the green may look a bit glaring on camera but it's a bit duller

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Then I slowly picked out details with paint.

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A wash was applied to the right fuselage...that helped bring out more detail.

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Then the left side got attention...

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Reference showed oxigen bottles so some were fashioned from clear sprue...I don't know why I used clear sprue as any plastic rod could have been used.

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Wash was applied to this side...looks a little heavy but looked alright once the fuselage halves were closed.

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Seat belts made from wire and tape were glued on...

View attachment 308437 View attachment 308438View attachment 308439 Another dry fit to see if everything was covered...next the clear canopy was tackled.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
I don't think I remember this. Could be that my old brain ain't what is was but it does mean I can enjoy watching this come together. Off to your usual, painstaking start.
Jim

 

[papa 695]

Nice one Richard

 

[Dave Ward]

The SBC-4 was one of my favourite Matchbox aircraft, I must have made it 4 or 5 times, as the US Navy, and the RAF Cleveland. Heller also made a SBC-4 ( different moulds ). The Boeing P-12 was also made in several versions. The Matchbox biplanes were all pretty good, the Fury being pretty good. I made the Siskin recently.............. View attachment 308527

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Sadly this was the model that convinced me that I could no longer do 1/72 aircraft models
justice - too small!
Dave

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys...thanks for dropping in for a look and commenting.

Jimbo, nothing like a refresher to get the brain juices flowing. This is enjoyable pain.
Ian, great to have you along.
Dave, wow...you must have quite a collection of the SBC4's. I remember your Siskin, got one myself. Sadly deteriorating eyesight can get the better of us. I'm not looking forward to the day that I have to switch to larger kits.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Steve Jones]

Oooooh! Thats nice. A wonderful subject to build. Looking forward to seeing some more of your magic

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Steve, abracadabra and poof! you're here. Thanks. Nice to have you on board the Matchbox journey.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Guest]

Keeping up with these little gems .
Why was green as internal colour picked Richard ?

 

[rtfoe]

Good question John, at the time I took for granted that all US aircraft cockpit interior was interior green and the rest insignia green. It should be silver as planes of this era just prior to WW2 had their cockpits in silver just like wheel wells for the Spitfire and Typhoon were in silver as well.
By the time I realised was too late as the fuselage had been glued so I've got to live with it.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

For once the Matchbox clear parts were slightly undersized but the frames were still bulging and plastic thick. I wanted to pose the cockpit canopy slide back and to do this I had to thin the pilots canopy and use the gunners canopy as the canopy just behind the pilot

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Sanding and polishing achieved the thickness that I needed. Joints needed extra plastic shims for a gradual slop towards the tail.

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All surface elevators were cut and repositioned including the tail.

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Gaps were filled and sanded.

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Finer putty was applied and final sanding done.

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The tail was positioned to follow the elevators for a right turn.

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Next ...engine cowling

Cheers,
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

Here's the engine and cowling...the part look ok so I didn't bother detailing it. Spraye it interior green...should have been insignier yellow/green...back then everything was interior green to me.:rolling:

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But I did slightly detail the cowling by drilling out the air scoop

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Dry fitted the parts and propeller...the propeller had a pronounced distance from the cowling so I shortened and moved it closer. Later I painted the pistons and push rods flat black and dry brushed silver to bring out raised detail.

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Unfortunately I don't have pictures of the painted engine.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Steve Jones]

Why not? Your not letting your standards drop are you Richard?:smiling2::smiling5:

Terrific work on the fuselage

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Steve, well the eagerness to assemble the parts got the better of me and I just forgot to photograph the progress. Basic black and silver dry brushing and dirty wash was all it needed.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[colin m]

Lovely. An old, sorry, vintage Matchbox kit. It's great to see one being built. Nice job to, with all the extra detail.

 

[Richard48]

Nice trip down nostalgia lane chaps.When i got into models aged 9 our local newsagents and model shops stocked Matchbox kits.I dont know about you chaps but the wonderful Matchbox box art grabbed my attention and eager paws.I remember having a tooth out at Dentist and mum treating me to the monoplane Matchbox helldiver model.I loved Matchbox kits and now nearly 50 i look back with affection and a tear or two at a bygone age in the 70s when life wasnt so much rush here and there.
Richard.

 

[rtfoe]

Thanks Collin and Richard. Nice to have jolted old memories on a vintage kit. I still like building Matchbox kits when I get hold of any because of their clean rivetless molds.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

I plugged every opening with soaked tissue before spraying a primer coat...

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When satisfied that there were no blemishes to fill and sand I did a pre-shade with black.

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Vintage kits come with vintage decals that desintegrate right before your eyes in 5 seconds...talk about mission impossible. Next is mission possible.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[colin m]

because of their clean rivetless molds

They also fit really well. it's very rare I reach for the filler on a matchbox build.

 

[rtfoe]

They also fit really well. it's very rare I reach for the filler on a matchbox build.

You are right about that Colin.

Cheers,
Richard