Hasegawa1:48 Scale Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless Model Kit

The kit arrived in a timely fashion. A very detailed kit including a couple options for decal set up. There are several small pieces, mainly for the cockpit assembly. With patience and tweezers it got done. Pieces fit together well and the instructions were easy to follow. I purchased a small pair of scissor like cutters to remove each piece, much easier than an exacto knife. Definitely recommend this company.

The fit and detail is solid and nice simple build. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun solid model.

I was kind of surprised to find that this was the best fitting model I have done this year. A lot of folks rave about Tamiya, but I did a Wildcat from them and it was the worst of the batch I did. I got a great finished model out of this Hasegawa. I use canopy glue for everything and the rubberbanding of the wings to the fuselage is a bit creative. All seams were minor enough to be hidden via paint alone.Only nitpick is a few parts are broken down into extra pieces that don't really add any more detail, just make it necessary to use tweezers. The engine exhausts was one. They are both split in two pieces that 1st need to be glued together.

Short of the Accurate Miniatures Dauntless, which is now produced by Academy, this kit is a very good value at around 25 dollars, although it lacks pilot/gunner figures. Its biggest "flaw" is the dive brakes, which are not provided with holes. But it is well regarded among modelers, and a cut above the Revell model, which is not bad, but not as well-scaled. I don't know what Sheerness means in this context, but Hasegawa will probably keep on producing this kit for years to come. Due to Covid lockdowns, they may have sold out. But it will be back.

The Hasegawa Dauntless SBD built up into my favorite model of Pacific war birds. The multiple canopies are a challenge to wrangle into open positions, and take care in building the rear gunner mount. Following the instructions will leave the gun barrels in a stowed position. Scratch building seatbelts help dress up the pilot-less cockpit (why aren’t seatbelts molded into the empty seat?) Still, a really fun build that looks absolutely great on my shelf.

Excellent scale model appropriate for a model maker with above average skill. But certainly doable for anyone with patience and some model making experience and very thin glue, top quality paints, etc. Directions were clear.Very true to life reproduction.

Hasegawa kits are the best you can buy. The kit arrived before the promised delivery date. It's great to have a reliable source of supply for such a high quality product.

Shipping took forever, but it came as promised.