Quick Boost

1/72 Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless Engine For the Hasegawa kit

Stock Number: 72 222

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS # 43146

MSRP: approx $6.00 Website: www.quickboost.net The Douglas SBD Dauntless, nicknamed "Slow but Deadly" by its crews, was on the verge of replacement at the beginning of World War II, but it was available in meaningful numbers when it counted most, and a small number of crews of these aircraft were in the right place at the right time, destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers during the Battle of Midway in 1942, effectively changing the course of the war in America's favor. It never was totally replaced by its successor, the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, even though it had the disadvantage of having non-folding wings. There are currently two 1/72 scale kits of the SBD which are useful in today's modeling world, the old Airfix kit, which is showing its age, and the more recent Hasegawa offering, which has appeared in several forms. The Hasegawa kit is much better, although both can be built into acceptable models using aftermarket parts, and many are available for both kits. The Quickboost aftermarket engine replacement is designed for the Hasegawa kit, but it could also be used on the Airfix kit. A lot of reference material is available on the SBD. Bert Kinzey's "In Detail and Scale" is an excellent reference, with many interior detail photos, and some excellent modeling reviews. Squadron's "In Action" and "Walkaround" publications are also very useful, as is the Aerodata International publication, "U.S. Navy Carrier Bombers of World War II". A lot of marking information is available in the Osprey "SBD Dauntless Units of World War II" (which the cover says "SDB Dauntless Units of World War II), and the two Squadron books on Navy camouflage and markings are also helpful. Good illustrations, especially engine details, are provided which will help in getting the details correct. The QB engine replaces the Wright R-1820 radial engine in the Hasegawa kit, and consists of two parts, the engine and cylinders and a mounting ring which fits very nicely on the firewall of the Hasegawa kit. The cylinders are very finely molded in resin, but the front of the crankcase needs a little trimming. The cylinders have a more accurate shape than those in the Hasegawa kit, although the ignition harness ring and pushrod tubes need to be added, a relatively simple task. The end result, however, once the missing details are installed, is a very nice engine which is visible inside the cowling. Enough can be seen to make detailing the engine worthwhile, and I would certainly suggest providing some engine detail on this model. When installed, drill out the front of the crankcase to allow the propeller to be installed. For the Airfix kit, either the cowling needs to be hollowed out somewhat or the cylinders need to be trimmed to fit inside, but for the Hasegawa kit, the engine fits perfectly. Then you can use the Hasegawa engine for another kit. Recommended. Thanks to Quickboost and IPMS/USA for the review sample.