Hobby 2000 72014 - 1:72 Douglas SBD 4/5 Dauntless

1:72 plastic model kit of the Douglas SBD-4/SBD-5 Dauntless dive bomber

Hobby 2000 72014 is a self-assembly model of the Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber in its later -4 and -5 versions, used above all by Marine Corps squadrons in the Pacific campaigns of 1943 and 1944.

The kit is based on Hasegawa plastic with cleanly reproduced perforated dive brakes. Hobby 2000 has added a waterslide decal sheet printed by Cartograf and self-adhesive canopy masks.

The decals allow two aircraft to be modelled: an SBD-4 of squadron VMSB-233 at Guadalcanal in the spring of 1943 and an SBD-5 coded I of squadron VMSB-231, the aircraft of MAJ Elmer Glidden and MSGT James Boyle at Majuro in the Marshall Islands in 1944.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues (Hasegawa tooling)
• Self-adhesive masks for the canopy glazing
• Waterslide decal sheet printed by Cartograf for 2 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 72014
• Manufacturer: Hobby 2000
• Assembled model length: approx. 140 mm
• Assembled wingspan: approx. 176 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The Dauntless is a model with a moderate parts count and a friendly layout. The two-seat cockpit and the perforated dive brakes need the most attention – cleaning up their edges and openings noticeably improves the finished model. The interior is best painted and finished before the fuselage halves are joined, and the long canopy glazing is easiest to paint using the included self-adhesive masks.

Aircraft from 1943 and 1944 wore the US Navy tri-colour scheme with dark sea blue upper surfaces, intermediate blue sides and white undersides. Conditions on Pacific field airstrips left their mark on these machines – faded paint, wear on the wing walkway beside the cockpit and dust deposits are natural elements of a finish like this. Applying the decals over a gloss coat is recommended, with a satin varnish to seal the model.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel wash to bring out surface detail
• Gloss varnish for the decals and satin varnish for the final finish
• Decal softening solution

About the aircraft – Douglas SBD Dauntless:

The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the standard dive bomber of the US Navy and US Marine Corps during the first half of the Pacific war. The design grew out of the Northrop BT-1 and was given its final form by Ed Heinemann's team after Northrop was absorbed by Douglas. Its trademark feature was the perforated dive brakes on the wing trailing edges – the drilled plates suppressed buffeting during the dive and allowed a steady, accurate attack run.

The Dauntless earned its greatest fame on 4 June 1942 at Midway, when in the space of a few minutes its crews decided the outcome of the battle by fatally damaging the Japanese carriers. Before that the aircraft had fought in the Coral Sea, and afterwards over Guadalcanal, the Solomons and subsequent landing operations. Crews valued it for its sturdiness, predictable handling and ability to absorb damage, although its modest top speed earned it the affectionate nickname "Slow But Deadly".

The SBD-4 and SBD-5 represent the later stage of the design's development. The SBD-4 introduced a 24-volt electrical system and a Hamilton Hydromatic propeller, while the SBD-5 received the more powerful R-1820-60 engine and improved sighting equipment. The -5 was the most numerous Dauntless variant and the mainstay of the Marine Corps bombing squadrons in 1943 and 1944, operating from field airstrips in the Solomons and the Marshall Islands.

Original aircraft specifications (Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless):

• Length: 10.09 m
• Wingspan: 12.66 m
• Height: 4.14 m
• Take-off weight: approx. 4700 kg
• Crew: 2 (pilot and rear gunner)
• Powerplant: Wright R-1820-60 Cyclone radial engine, approx. 1200 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 410 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 7800 m
• Range: approx. 1240 km
• Gun armament: 2 x 12.7 mm machine guns above the engine and 2 x 7.62 mm guns on a flexible rear mount
• Offensive load: one bomb of up to 454 kg under the fuselage and 2 x 45 kg bombs under the wings
• Production: 1940-1944, approx. 5900 aircraft of all versions

About the manufacturer – Hobby 2000:

Hobby 2000 is a Polish model company based in Katowice that specialises in themed releases of plastic model kits. Its business model is built on cooperation with established kit manufacturers – the Hobby 2000 catalogue features plastic originating from Hasegawa, Fujimi, Dragon, Academy and Revell moulds, among others. This particular kit uses Hasegawa plastic. The added value of a Hobby 2000 release comes from newly researched decal sheets, its own assembly instructions and – in most aircraft kits – self-adhesive canopy masks included in the box as standard. The company is known for consistently choosing subjects that are poorly covered by the large manufacturers, with a particular focus on Polish and Eastern European stories. Releases are produced in limited runs, so sold-out items can be hard to find later on. For the modeller this means proven, well-developed tooling combined with carefully researched history and a generous choice of markings.