Warbird Information Exchange

Hi guys - I would like to again request the assistance of the experts on the boards...

My latest model making project is a large scale SBD Dauntless.

I am trying to find good photos of Dauntlesses under restoration, and also Dauntlessness in French markings from the First Indochina War

I have already checked out the SBD restoration thread at Vultures Row Aviation.

Can anyone point me in the direction of other photos of Dauntlessness being restored, or built? I am particularly looking for details of all the internal structures you wouldn't normally see - ribbing, bulkheads, wiring etc

Also - any photos of Dauntlessness in French markings would be greatly appreciated. Links to other websites fine!

Many thanks in advance for your help

Rich

Greetings Rick, I've had these photos in my files for a long time. Sorry but I have no information to add to them. Hope they help and all the best on the project. If it's anything like your B-17 diorama it'll be spectacular.

M

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“With bottomless pockets...anything is possible”

These may help as well. See if I can find some better detail photos for ya more specific to what your looking for.

M

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“With bottomless pockets...anything is possible”

many thanks mark - I actually noticed that you contributed a lot to the threads I've already checked out...

cheers for the kind words re: B-17 dio. The Dauntless is actually 1/18 scale, so plenty of room for detailing!

any further assistance, especially restoration 'in progress' pics greatly appreciated

Hi Rich...try calling the CAF Dixie Wing for pics/info. Im going to be there on Saturday/Sunday so if you need pics of anything specific let me know. Drop me a private message w your email and I can make some contacts for you...

BTW one of our members flew Bearcats at Diem Ben Phu...so Mr. Kline may have some info on French SBDs.

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Rauhbatz
Commemorative Air Force
CAF Ohio Wing/Airbase Georgia Member
PT-19/26, T-34 CAF Pilot


Favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars - A. St. Exupuery "friends are like trees...when they are gone we miss their shade"

Hi Rich,

I have some Douglas Production Illustrations for the SBD. They're not blueprints, but they are pretty detailed technical drawings of the structure of the forward & aft section of the wing center section, forward & aft section of the outer wing panel, upper & lower fuselage sections, tail cone, wing tip, horizontal, vertical, elevators, rudder & flaps. Also has some drawings of the flight control, oil, fuel & electrical systems. There is 28 in all.

They are over sized drawings so I can't scan them at home & send them to you & the only copy shop we had in town has gone out of business. But if you are interested, I'll send them to you & you can have copies made & send me back the originals.

Do you have any SBD manuals to work from?

Mac

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WWII Naval Aviation Research - Pacific
https://www.ww2nar-pac.com/

Many thanks guys, PMs inbound!