Military Model Scene

Title:  Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless

Author: Dariusz Karnas and Artur Juszczak

Publisher:  MMP

ISBN:  978-83-65958-64-8

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Number 7 in their 'Single' series from MMP Books takes on the topic of the Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless, an American Scout Bomber of WW2. It was one of the group of successful carrier borne aircraft that proved so valuable in the Island-hopping campaign across the Pacific with the US Navy Carrier forces. Perhaps it's best known battle was that at Midway, in 1942. Just in case you didn't already know, the SBD designation stood for 'Scout Bomber Douglas', rather than a popular alternative of 'Slow But Deadly'.

The book opens with 6 pages of 1/72 and 1/48 scale drawings, including fuselage profiles. These are followed by 15 pages which present a mix of detailed illustrations from the original Technical Manuals, along with archive images and some colour images showing details from preserved examples. all leading into the final 3 pages of the book, which present some lovely colour artwork of SBD-1, BuNo 1626, the Squadron Commander's personal aircraft, VMB-2 US Marine Corps Squadron, Quantico, Virginia, in 1940. It is shown in a pre-war colourful scheme that is a change from the drab blues they wore later in the wore.

So, lots of detail and a colour scheme that should inspire many modellers. An excellent addition to this series.

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Thanks to MMP Books, who kindly provided my review copy.

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Robin