Starfighter Decals

1/72 SBC-3 Helldiver Conversion set

Product # 7205  $25.00  for Heller SBC-4 kit

Product Article by Steve Bamford on June 27 2011

 

This new detail set from Starfighter Decals includes resin and photo etch parts for the cockpit  and exterior to convert the Heller SBC-4 into an SBC-3.  You also get decals which gives you the choice of 2 different SBC-3's.

This set includes 12 resin parts, Photoetch by Toms Modelworks and decals to convert the Heller SBC-4 to the SBC-3. You will need scratchbuilding skills and a 1/72 P&W R1535-82 engine (Available separately). Full color instruction sheet, painting and decal placement guide included.

The 2 aircraft include colorful pre-war paint schemes. 

  • SBC-3 Helldiver 0525 VF-6 in 1937.  This aircraft was the Squadron "hack" to the F4B-4s of Fighting Six.

  • SBC-3 Helldiver 0527 VF-6 Commander Air Group Yorktown 1940.

Resin parts are nicely done and include the following:

  • Front Bulkhead

  • Right sidewall

  • Left sidewall

  • Radio gear

  • Aft Instrument panel

  • Floor

  • Seat

  • Turtledeck insert

  • Fuselage Plug

  • Aft Wheel well bulkhead

  • Rudder

  • Cowl

  • DF Loop

Photo Etch parts include the following:

  • Seatbelt buckles

  • gunsights, ammunition and other parts for the guns

  • Engine wiring

  • Fuse for a bomb (bomb not included)

  • other photo etch parts 

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The 2 pages of instructions include color views of each aircraft featured on the decal sheets.  The instructions include plenty of text to help with installation and painting of the resin parts, but there isn't enough info about what each photo etch part is or where they go.......so you will need knowledge about the Helldiver and references when it comes time to install the photo etch parts.  The photo etch parts are very fine and beautifully done.    

The decals are beautifully printed on 2 tiny decal sheets.  The paint schemes with their bright colors and bold stripes and colorful tails are great to see.  

I'm glad to see this badly needed set released and I know it will be popular with modelers wanting to add a pre-war SBC-3 Helldiver  to their display case.

I would like to thank Starfighter Decals for providing me with this review sample.

Steve Bamford

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Photos and text © by Steve Bamford