The first SBD in 1:32 is finally here. And, while it is far from perfect, it is an ambitious model that gets more right than wrong.
Once again HM steps up and delivers a model no one else has, this time a Dauntless SBD-3 in 1:32 scale. Folks, including me, have
been salivating over this release since it was announced. Now that it's finally arrived it is a bit shocking to see so many collectors
nit-picking the model to death. This is likely due to the perceived high price of $150-170 MSRP (but it's currently selling for about $120
plus shipping on ebay). I'm not going to get into this, again, here. If you want to read my thoughts about the flak this model is taking,
read my blog: HM SBD blog.
First, the good stuff! This model is very detailed, with many moving and optional parts. You get two choices of machine guns for the rear
gunner position, twin or single-.30 cals. There are optional crew members. The gear is retractable. The canopy can be displayed
open/closed -- it slides on rails, and there's a cover for when you display the model with the rear gun/s "stowed" (the cover on mine
needed sanded a bit to get it to fit right). The rudder, elevator, ailerons, and flaps are poseable. The cowl may be removed to display
the engine. The bomb can be displayed in a release configuration -- ie, starting to "drop". The paint job is very well done, with an
excellent finish -- I can not see a paint application error or blemish anywhere on this model. The livery is a must-have for this bird, as
there is perhaps no SBD that is more iconic, or battle this airframe participated in, either, for that matter. It looks superb on the shelf!
Now for the bad news. It costs a lot -- but what would you expect these days with the complexity and size of a model like this, rizing
production costs, and declining value of the dollar? Corgi's working range 1:32 fighters go for the same, albeit you get a display stand
with those, which you do not with this model. That is a real shame, and for the price, I agree -- a display stand should be included.
Rumor has it HM is working on a display stand that may be sold separately, which would be great. Let's face it, with one what is the
point of the crew, dropping bomb, and retractable gear?
The crew... sigh. For whatever reason, HM seems to have trouble getting pilot figures right in scales bigger than 1:72. Case in point: the
first release 1:48 Spitfire, and now this SBD. The crew figures are ridiculously under-sized -- to the point you'd need to stuff a couple
virtual phonebooks under 'em to make them look right. It's a head scratcher how HM saw fit to "greenlight" the production of them. I
simply don't display the model with the crew, which I prefer for a "parked" model anyways. If and when a display stand appears this may
be a bigger issue.
The biggest issue for some is the prop
droops quite noticeably (which you can see
in the pic to the right), which is another
glaring QA boo-boo. That said, it is easy to
fix yourself with a dab of tack or white glue
(prop won't spin afterwards however). And
HM is sending out replacement props to
dealers who are then sending them to
everyone that purchases the model. So,
this will be a moot issue soon I hope --
word is that the props are already winging
their way to the U.S. (as of April 14th, 2008).
These issues are the "big three" -- small
figures, no stand, drooping prop. Then
there's a fourth, really, the price. If and when
HM addresses all of the Big Three, the
price is then rendered a moot issue, too.
droops quite noticeably (which you can see
in the pic to the right), which is another
glaring QA boo-boo. That said, it is easy to
fix yourself with a dab of tack or white glue
(prop won't spin afterwards however). And
HM is sending out replacement props to
dealers who are then sending them to
everyone that purchases the model. So,
this will be a moot issue soon I hope --
word is that the props are already winging
their way to the U.S. (as of April 14th, 2008).
These issues are the "big three" -- small
figures, no stand, drooping prop. Then
there's a fourth, really, the price. If and when
HM addresses all of the Big Three, the
price is then rendered a moot issue, too.
Hobby Master 1:32 Air Power Series
HA0200 Douglas SBD-3, Wade McClusky, "Battle of Midway" 1942 Released: Feb, 2008
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Click this image for a
slideshow review with music.
slideshow review with music.
First release "bugs" aside,
there are a lot of great little
accuracy touches to be
found: Such as the fact that
the star insignia are painted
over the original paint scheme
for the bird, which had the
stars with the red centers. This
is correct, per the real deal.
The paint scheme was applied
in the field over the older
scheme. HM did the same
thing with its 1:72 Midway
SBD.
there are a lot of great little
accuracy touches to be
found: Such as the fact that
the star insignia are painted
over the original paint scheme
for the bird, which had the
stars with the red centers. This
is correct, per the real deal.
The paint scheme was applied
in the field over the older
scheme. HM did the same
thing with its 1:72 Midway
SBD.