Accurate Miniatures 1/48 SB2U-3 Vindicator, by Eric Berg

SB2U-3 Vindicator built by Eric Berg 07-09-2026 History: Rolling off the assembly line in late 1936, Vought’s SB2U Vindicator was the Navy’s first monoplane carrier based scout bomber. It featured all metal framing skinned with part metal and part fabric panels on the wings and fuselage. A total of 170 of all three variants were built but only one museum restored Vindicator survives today residing at the U.S. Naval Museum in Pensacola. As WWII approached, it was obvious this slow moving plane could not deliver the goods and it jokingly acquired the nickname “Windicator”. After disastrous results at Midway in 1942 where the SB2U-3s proved to be nothing more than Zero fodder, all surviving Vindicators were withdrawn from front line service.

THE KIT

I bought this model in 2005 when Accurate Miniatures first debuted their new tool Vindicator in all 3 variants. The initial production batch was botched by horrendous sink marks on the fuselage halves. To their credit and extra expense, Accurate quickly fixed the problem and sent those who asked (like me) a new replacement sprue at no charge with proof of purchase. That’s when the fun began. This is one of the most frustrating builds I’ve encountered. So much so, that after starting construction beginning with the fussy cockpit assembly, I lost interest and bailed, putting this kit on the shelf of doom for 20 plus yrs until this past January. Accurate’s Vindicator is a bit of a mess and I imagine they designed the kit using a team where all the participants contributed individually but didn’t bother to coordinate with each other. There’s a lot of “WHAT???” going on here. Accurate’s instructions are poorly executed and provide little help as to what part goes where. You’re on your own here most of the time. I compared Accurate’s kit side by side with Academy’s SB2U-3 to see if here is any difference between the two. Academy purchased the molds from Accurate when they filed for bankruptcy. Special Hobby also uses the exact same sprues for their 1/48 Chesapeake and French Vindicator. The sprues are exactly the same in all the boxings. Academy’s instructions are a big improvement, the detail quality of the plastic is crisper and the canopy die cut masks fit and stick way better. However Academy’s Midway decal insignias seem too small and there are no upgraded parts so it still remains a complicated build.

I’m not going to go on and on describing all the problems I had with as I would just be repeating what other online modelers have already pointed out. Figure out your own build strategy as there are many ways to skin a cat as the old saying goes. Patience is absolutely required to get to the finish line. Despite Accurate’s commendable attention to detail, nothing assembles easily nor is the suggested assembly order always logical. Except for the fuselage and wings, parts fit is awful overall - especially the thick open canopy parts. I did my best solving the issue of the overly thick and ill fitting open position canopy parts that refuse to nest together as shown in the instructions. I combined a few sanded down kit clear pieces with sections of a Falcon vacuum Vindicator canopy. Be aware that the landing gear support pieces will snap in half at the slightest touch as I discovered despite being warned about it. I should have attached them at the very end of the build which after removing them, I did. I used Eduard PE seatbelts, instrument panels and canopy masks instead of Accurate’s.

My own color mixes of Tamiya and Vallejo paints were used throughout. Mostly a light gull grey custom mix. I toned down all the sun bleached fabric areas and used pre-war cockpit green instead of aluminum that is often called for. Accurate’s correctly sized 20 yr old kit insignia decals performed impeccably and are nice and opaque. Serial numbers and stencils came from my decal dungeon referenced by vintage Vindicator photo.

All three available 1/48th Vindicator kits (Accurate, Academy, Special Hobby) actually do build up to a very nice representation of a SB2U-3 if one takes their time while figuring out how to solve many of the assembly hurtles encountered a long the way. Nothing that a whole dump truck load of know how and patience won’t fix. Little by little. Piece by piece. Work slowly and methodically and you will be rewarded with a fine looking Vindicator when all is said and done. Despite this being one grunt of a build, I’m very glad I persevered. It looks perfect sitting next to Accurate’s excellent SBC Dauntless big brother. Vindicated at last.

Multiple YouTube “How To” videos. “SB2U Vindicator in Action” no. 122 Squadron/Signal Publications 1992

KIT #:	480202
PRICE:	$37.95 when new
DECALS:	One option
REVIEWER:	Eric Berg
NOTES:	Reboxed by Academy