Yellow Wing Decals 1/32
SBD-3 Dauntless 'Operation Torch'

Yellow Wing Decals has released a nice decal set for the Trumpeter 1/32 SBD-3 Dauntless in Operation Torch markings. Not just any SBD, but Bureau Number 06624.

This was an aircraft assigned to VS-41 aboard the USS Ranger for air operations during Operation Torch in November 1942. 6624 was later transfered to Glenview IL for service in a Carrier Qualification Training Unit.

On September 19, 1943, a student pilot switched to an empty fuel tank on approach to the carrier and the engine predictably quit after receiving a wave-off. Rather than ditch the aircraft, the Ensign attempted unsuccessfully to plant the aircraft on the deck and wound up cartwheeling into Lake Michigan.

Some 50 years later, the aircraft was recovered and restored at Kalamazoo Air Zoo. For a look at this full-scale aircraft, you can go here.

This set of decals provides markings for both periods in time:

1. SBD-3, 06624, VS-43, 41-S-13, USS Ranger, November 1942
2. SBD-3, 06624, CQTU, B-10, NAS Glenview, September 1943

The set also includes several pages of profiles and documentation to help you replicate the correct colors in the right places to render an accurate model.

Yellow Wing Decals can be purchased directly from their website at www.yellow-wingsdecals.com.

Highly recommended!

My sincere thanks to Yellow Wing Decals for this review sample!