Curtiss SBC-4 Helldiver / Cleveland I

...a well done kit from Heller with excellent detail.....fit is good all around.... 

 

 

….this build is an example of a plane that flew at a wargames in 1940 in the Carolinas, with the markings for the "Red Force" in the games....

 

......just a bit of history of the SBC-4 Helldiver.....it was known as a Cleveland in British service.....an outstanding photo of the SBC-4 in formation with other "Red Force" planes.....this is an unretouched photo and is a great composition...made in real time...no image manipulation here! 

...this was a great find...the actual aircraft being built here.....with "Red Force" crosses painted on the both wings....note bomb racks in the middle of these symbols....
....bomb site is clearly installed...good to have new information at this stage because it is easy enough to add.....now, where to find another red cross decal? 

...it never really dived at anything or fired a shot in anger no matter whether in US, French or English service…it was the last biplane ordered by the US Navy and was quickly overtaken by other planes… 

 

 

...USN WWII seatbelts by Eduard.....these are the two seats...from the kit and aftermarket..one of these is "wrong" but that will have to do...not sure what that cloth covered package is just inside the wheel well, painted brown here...no photos i could find of that so it got a simple shade....a big life raft maybe? 

....the kit oversized pushrods were cut off....this PE piece is from a P-26 Peashooter engine but it sort of fits and it is a big improvement...at least some of the engine can be seen now... 

...this is a very good sideview of the cockpit from an historical photo.....it is hard to tell if the rear canopy is even installed here..... 

...the canopies from used kits basically cost about $8 US each...not bad for custom made canopies on the aftermarket.... 

....combining two forum suggestions...a paint pen used to mark a cut off canopy section....pleased with the result....even though only three sections of canopy (not five) will be used due to fit issues....cutting up two canopies gave some semblance of sliding open under the center canopy and a clean front piece....this is a push for me...cutting delicate parts up with a saw.... 

...it is time to turn upside down...and attach struts and other upside down parts...can't miss making a shameless plug for the apparently infinitely expandable and flexible jig system made by SundayNet of Canada.....sundaynet.ca/....if there is an option i bought it and have really enjoyed using it... 

...all rigged up with the Starfighter Decals rigging...note bomb racks on the wing bottom 

...one part of this aircraft is missing from the kit but prominent on the actual plane....the apparatus to support the external fuel tank....time to scratchbuild one.... 

...the final result of the little fuel tank bracket...it wasn't hard to get about right...small styrene stock helped....almost done with this fellow... 

....all done...very enjoyable kit....