Accurate Miniatures 1/48 Vought SB2U-1 Vindicator Reviewed by Gerry Nilles

History

Although a very interesting and a key transitional US Navy combat aircraft probably the best description of the SB2U Vindicator is an "Also Ran". Advances in aircraft design during the early and mid 1930s caused the U.S. Navy to take a serious look at monoplanes. The acquisition of a new single wing torpedo bomber, the Douglas TBD-1 Devastator, was already in progress and the need for an equally advanced scout/bomber was apparent. However, the Navy, being ever cautious, was not about to put all it';s eggs in one basket so to speak. As a result the Navy ask a number of aircraft manufacturing companies for a new scout/bomber proposal including both Biplane & monoplane designs. Of those companies responding to this request Brewster, Northrup and Vought were asked to develop prototypes. Brewster's offering, the XSBA-1, was accepted and a small quantity were built by the Naval Aircraft Factory, but it never became combat operational. Northrup responded with it's BT-1, which of course was subsequently acquired by Douglas, and then redesigned into the very successful SBD Dauntless. Vought's SB2U was also accepted and like the other two companies the design ordered into production.

Interestingly the SB2U was a bit of a back step as far as construction went in that it's aft fuselage was almost entirely fabric covered metal framing, as were the wings and control surfaces. This was not the case for the other two competing designs that were all metal. The initial production version, the SB2U-1 was delivered in late 1937 to VB-3 (the Top Hatters) which then became operational three months later on board the carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3). The -1 was powered by an 825 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-96 radial engine and armed with two .30-caliber machine guns, one forward firing in the wing and one flexible in the rear cockpit. Initially 54 SB2U-1s were ordered followed by 58 -2s, which was almost identical to the -1.

The last SB2U variant, the -3, was built specifically for the US Marines. It should be noted that -3 was the first version to receive the name Vindicator, which then was applied to all SB2Us. The SB2U-3 differed from earlier models in that it had a different engine, greater fuel capacity, and four .50-caliber machine guns (one in each wing and a twin mount in the aft cockpit).

The Vindicator's combat operational history was relatively short. By November 1942 all SB2Us had been withdrawn from frontline status. Without a doubt the most noteworthy combat action the Vindicator participated in was the "Battle of Midway". Marine Squadron VMSB-241 received 21 SB2U-3s from VMSB-231 as a supplement to its existing aircraft on the Island. It performance during the battle was lack-luster at best and as a result never saw combat in the Pacific Theater again. Likewise its performance in the Atlantic, on the carrier USS Ranger (CV-4), was wanting. As a result, by the time of Operation Torch in November 1942, all Vindicators had been pulled from action and replaced by the Dauntless.

The Kit

First I want to note that the new Accurate Miniatures SB2U Vindicator kit is indeed 1/48 and not 1/72 as suggested in a recent review by one of the international aviation scale modeling publications. That said I'll start off this "First Look" review with the age-old question, do you want the good news or the bad news first? Oh what the heck lets get the bad news out of the way! My copy, an SB2U-1 that was purchased not given to IM, suffers from extensive sink marks on both halves of the fuselage assembly. These sink marks, two on one side and three on the other, ring the fabric area of the aft part of the fuselage, and are the result of shrinkage due to the interior ribbing detail. Thankfully they are in an area that has no detail other than the concave shape of fabric over metal stringers. However these depressions are pronounced enough that they will need to be carefully filled and re-contoured. No small task to be sure. Now I don't know if this problem is typical, but I have heard reports that my copy is not unique.

Now for the good news, the rest of the kit looks excellent. The kits airframe and all subsequent detailing, including interior, engine, landing gear etc. is finely cast in medium gray plastic. The clear parts, which indeed are crystal clear, includes a choice of a separately cast closed canopy or individually sectioned open one. Photo etched seat belts are also provided. Interior detailing is absolutely superb, and very delicately cast. The instruction sheet notes that the removal of these parts, from the sprue, should be done using cutting pliers or a hot knife to avoid breakage, a suggestion that I recommend be taken seriously. Another area that is outstanding is the engine detail. The Pratt & Whitney R-1535-96 is very well done and includes such detailing as the wiring harness. Likewise the landing gear detail is outstanding, as are the various under-wing stores. The assembly instructions are well written and easy to understand with very understandable illustrations alone with detailed painting guides.

Decals

The kit decals are of good quality. But, only one scheme, which is for an early Neutrality Patrol Group Commanders aircraft from the USS Ranger is provided. Although typical for aircraft at that time, yellow/orange wings, aluminum fuselage & a willow green tail, it certainly would not be my first choice for markings. In this reviewers opinion section leader aircraft were on average much more colorful. Not only did these aircraft have various tail and section colors but also displayed squadron emblems as well as the numbering system. Yellow Wings Decals "Dive Bomber" set is definitely going to come in handy when I build this kit.

Conclusion

Accurate Miniatures 1/48 SB2U-1 Vindicator kit is beautifully done, with the exception of some significant sink marks that ring the aft section of the fuselage. However, this kit is meant for the more accomplished model builder, who should have no difficulty correcting this problem. It is just going to take some extra time and care. The level of kit detail is outstanding. However in my opinion the decals provided, although of good quality, are not that interesting, at least to me.