help researching SBD-5 Dauntless

[richcarrick]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if you guys could help. I am a professional model maker, and I am planning to build a highly detailed SBD-5 Dauntless based on a commercially available kit. I am the kind of model maker who adds every conceivable detail.....if I have reference pics I will attempt to replicate the detail. If you want to see how serious I am, please check out my latest project, the F4U-4 Corsair - I posted a link including the build thread in the modellers' section of this site:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=43172

so I am looking for serious info - I would like any images of the innards of this aircraft - engine, engine accessory compartment, wing folds, cockpit, guns, dive brakes. Any pics of aircraft under restoration would be great. A major source of info for the Corsair build was from images provided by the Conneticut Corsair restoration project, but I also had help from a warbird pilot from Planes of Fame, and I found numerous helpful sites such as Meier Motors and other Warbird restoration companies.

I am aware that I don't contribute much to this site, but that's because I am a model maker, not a restorer or pilot - but I have found that you guys are an excellent source of information, so I would be very grateful for any help you can provide. All I can offer in return I am afraid is a blog detailing my model making projects, and pictures of the final result...

...so if anyone can help out with links, images or links to threads about the Dauntless that have been posted on here in the past that would be great! It has to be the dash 5 variant as I plan to depict a machine based in Indochina in the 1940s with the French. However, you'll know better than me if the Dauntless series shared a common heritage and had similar details across the marks - if so, please link me to whatever info you know to be ubiquitous for the Dauntless family.

I greatly appreciate your help and time!

Rich

[Jerry O'Neill]

I think if anybody can help, it's the great guys on this site!
Jerry

[Warbird Kid]

I do believe drew king aka cherrybomber13 deserves recognition on some of the detail shots you used for your Corsair build. Just to point out. That being said I look forward to your sbd.

[richcarrick]

Indeed he does - I thanked him in my build thread and mentioned the Conneticut Corsair project in the above post. Perhaps I should have made clear that I've also corresponded with Drew & thanked him personally, and have done the same for everyone else involved in the project.

thanks, hope someone can help with SBD-5 images

Rich

[The Inspector]

No folding wings on the SBD so you get a 'bye' on that-

[richcarrick]

ah, touche!

anything else info wise though would be great, I want to try and detail this model as much as poss