Classic Airframes' 1/48 scale
Curtiss SBC-3 Helldiver

by Bernhard Schrock

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Here are some pictures of one of my last projects. It also represents one of my greatest challenges in modelling to date.

This is the old 1/48 scale Curtiss SBC-3 Helldiver kit by Classic Airframes.

During the three months I needed to built it, I admit that I was on the brink of throwing it into the trash a few times. I would like to let the pictures speak for themselves and just offer a few sentences to explain what has been changed in the model.

The structure of the inside of the fuselage was built up from scratch completely.

I used many parts of the etched sheet from Eduard for the SBD. Most of the panel lines were rescribed. I sanded off the details of the wings and modelled them anew, including the fabric structure. The trailing edges of the lower wing were sharpened and the line of the leading edge was corrected by cutting it open in the middle. The entire model received rivets with a self-made rivet roller.

The landing gear bay was newly detailed. As I did not have not enough information, I had to improvise. The landing gear was made entirely from scratch by using excellent wheels by Accurate Miniatures F3F.

The aluminium finish was a mixture of 50% Testors Metallizer and 50% sealer.

The flat wiring was made from etched items that I have created three years ago together with a modeling friend of mine Thomas Gatermann from Lübeck.

Click on the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2005 by Bernhard Schrock
Page Created 16 March, 2005
Last Updated 15 March, 2005

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