1:350 SBD-3 DAUNTLESS (Pre-painted)

1:350 SBD-3 Dauntless in the Pre-painted form from Trumpeter

This accessory plastic set of SBD-3 Dauntless carrier aircraft in 1:350 scale completes models of aircraft carriers and large surface units. The Pre-painted designation in the name says that the parts have a colored surface already applied at the factory. The set is therefore not a model of an aircraft in its own right but an accessory that brings the deck of a ship model to life.

The real subject

The SBD Dauntless was an American carrier scout and dive bomber with fixed landing gear and a two-seat cockpit. A characteristic feature was the perforated dive brakes on the wing, which made controlled diving possible. The SBD-3 version belonged to the series used at the start of the 1940s and was among the most numerous types in its role on American decks.

Building and usage tips

In 1:350 scale detail is made not by shape but by contrast. Leave the factory finish as it is and only suggest the division between wing and fuselage with a very thinned dark wash, wiping the surplus away at once with a cotton bud. The fixed landing gear is an advantage on this type: the aircraft stands stably on the deck and you do not have to deal with supports. If you are building several examples, line them up dry on a paper template of the deck before gluing, and the spacing will come out even. You will make the work easier by leaving the parts on the sprue until the last moment, as they are much easier to hold that way.

Who the set is for

• Builders of aircraft carrier models in 1:350 scale
• Modelers who want to fill a deck without painting every example
• Anyone interested in American carrier aviation of the early 1940s
• Diorama builders who work with an even layout of aircraft

This is an accessory set for ship and diorama models, not a large model of an aircraft in its own right. Glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.