1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD2 Dauntless

Gallery Article by David Rapasi on Oct 17 2011

 

This model depicts a SBD-2 Dauntless aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, late Spring, 1942.

 

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On October 13,1941 the BuAer issued a directive calling for all carrier and ship based aircraft to be painted the same as patrol aircraft, N.S. Light Gray on the bottom and N.S. Blue Gray on the surfaces viewed from above.

On January 5, 1942 a directive called for the U.S. Insignia to be placed on the upper side of both wings, and on the bottom side of both wings. They were to of the maximum diameter possible without overflowing onto the aileron.

Thirteen horizontal stripes were added to the rudder at this time.

Early in 1942, after a friendly fire incident aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, the insignias on all aircraft were directed to be as large as possible, including over the flaps and ailerons.

After the Battle of Coral Sea, May 4-8, 1942 and some lesser battles, thoughts of removing these very colorful markings became prevalent.

On May 15, 1942 a dispatch was issued for the removal of the rudder stripes and the red disc from the National Insignia.

At this same time the wing insignias were to be no larger than 60 inches and to fit between the aileron leading edge and the leading edge of the wing. The fuselage insignia was to be no larger than 24 inches.

Between this time and the Battle of Midway there were a variety of markings on carrier based aircraft.

This model was finished with Model Master Paints, kit decals, and homemade stencils.

Colors used on this model;

  • QMS #10 LIGHT GRAY MM1730

  • QMS #12 BLUE GRAY MM1721

  • QMS #42 MEDIUM GREEN MM1764

Dave

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Photos and text © by David Rapasi