Starfighter Decals 1/72 R-1820-78 Engine and Narrow Chord Cowl
By Matt Bittner
I still think it's excellent that Starfighter Decals continue to release items for older kits. The ironic thing is, these older kits are still considered the best available for their subjects. While there have been two releases in 1/72 for the Curtiss SBC-4 (known as the "Helldiver") - one from Matchbox, the other from Heller- it's the Heller kit that is considered the best available for this Curtiss dive bomber. Previously released by Starfighter for the Heller SBC-4 was a cockpit set, a photoetch fret of rigging, and a conversion for the SBC-3 (which the set reviewed in this article won't work with). In addition Starfighter has released both a "part one" and "part two" decal sets.
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The work required with this set couldn't be easier, when using it with the Heller SBC-4. Replace the kit's cowl and engine with the supplied resin pieces (after removing the cowl from its pour block) is all you need to accomplish. Naturally you'll want to paint the engine first, but this is an easy replacement set to enhance the Heller kit. Couple it with Starfighter Decals' cockpit set and rigging, and you'll have an excellent model on your shelf. Naturally you'll also want to finish it off with Starfighter's decals for it as well.
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Another aspect to this set is it's also meant to back-date the Airfix 1/72 J2F-6 "Duck" to a J2F-2 through J2F-4 versions. Another easy conversion, since you'll only have to replace the kit's cowl and engine. Granted, you'll need to scratch the exhaust collector ring, since there isn't a separate one in the kit, but that's not too difficult. Or, you could use one in a Heller SBC-4 kit (which is separate).
Note that Starfighter also lists the SBD, P-36 and B-10 as using this engine, so you if you're looking for a replacement engine for those, then look no further than this set.
Many thanks to Starfighter Decals for sending us this set to review.