I'm a sixties kid who went to school from the late 60s. Building aircraft models and reading 📚 were my top hobbies. I built a number of different pieces but once I grew up I stopped. I have tried to get my sons involved but they say it's old fashioned. My heart still skips a beat when I see that box.. You do beautiful work..

I showed this to my good buddy Joe Stains; his exact words were “I have NEVER seen anything quite like this...” Excellent work, well done

I've seen this video several times. The sheer size of this model is IMPRESSIVE, and the skill shown is even more so.

You are buy far the best teacher and modeler on KZfaq. Thanks for sharing your talents.

As a former USN ordinance guy the bombs were solid dark green not having any scrape marks and a yellow stripe around nose of bomb the detonator has a small silver ring around the outside of the detonator and the propeller of the detonator is red. Pilots or bomb crews would use chalk to write saying or slogans or cuetsie remarks on bombs. The yellow stripe denotes live ordinance and training bombs are blue. The bombs are stored in the lower decks of the flattop to protect from damage and the detonator is stored in a separate storage area and are not attached to the bomb until the bombs are readied for mounting on aircraft. Just an FYI if a bomb has scrapes or paint damage that would be looked upon by the weapon's/ordinance officer as mishandling by the ordinance gang and someone's but would be in serious trouble. Also this is an old navy saying if it moves salute it if it does not move paint it. As part of maintenance of an aircraft on a carrier it is painted, the only time an aircraft would have the amount of weathering/ scrapes would be upon return from a mission or if it had been assigned to a forward airbase (on land)were they are short on supplies. Again the American Navy is very much sticklers on proper maintenance and painting even when at war. An aircraft that is in this bad a shape would be pulled from service for repair and repainting and if it was deemed as it's shape being too bad it would have been shoved over the side and again it could be in this shape if it was assigned to a forward operating land base that was running short on supplies and this aircraft would have been used for parts or it was not in approved flying condition. Replacement aircraft would be delivered by Jeep carriers. This is my experience as having been a USN sailor.

Oh man , that was fantastic ! Thank you for inviting us along to watch you make a superb job . As for weathering , the only part I'd change is the amount on the corner of the port wing leading-edge near the fuselage . That's all . I like to encourage modellers not to copy museum exhibits TOO closely , as they've quite often got inaccuracies ! So the best thing is to try and study war-time images . So yes , as a busy Navy aircraft during war-time you've captured it well . They 'preen' and polish air-racers to perfection , but there's simply no time or need during a war in the Pacific . Pete

Nice huge kit my friend. Thanks for sharing

I purchased this kit and stored it for when I have the patience. I rewatched your build videos for inspiration and dug it out the other day. Working on it bit by bit now. What an amazing kit! Thanks for your video series on this :-)

Amazing work, what really draws me to these kinds of vids is the attention to detail. Peoples attention to detail is truly an indefinite spectrum, wonderful work!

A Great Joy to Watch. FANTASTIC👍😃👍

"I love this(kit) bird" Great great build Well done cheers

Awesome detail work on that plane! I can't get enough of your vids. Thanks

Какой он большой! Супер!

Looked like you had fun, great job.

Это просто супер, спасибо за науку, для меня лично очень полезно, спасибббббоооооо!!!!

Oh my friend, I'm speechless!! Wooww!!! Your job whith this model is wonderful and The closest thing to The reality I've seen so far. Bravo!!!

As a non modeller I watched every minute, outstanding! I now want a list of every single piece of equipment used! To get me started.

Man that is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. You have some amazing talents.

This is out of this world modeling !!

love the longer videos gives me a more in depth idea of what you do.

Alex, you are a true artist. Well done and thank you for sharing.

Your videos are a real inspiration. Just starting out and can’t wait to practice the techniques you demonstrate. Thank you for sharing.

my father was USNR(1940-45) pacific. AOM1. that's aviation ordnance man first class. he worked on all the navy fighting aircraft. SBD,F4U,F4F etc,,, never set foot on a carrier. the navy always had more planes than CV's.

A masterpiece! Absolutely amazing! Great job! Congrats!

Excellent job! The secret of weathering and chipping is to avoid following panels in straight even lines, tempting as it is once that silver gets going - keep chips random. A beautiful piece of work fully displaying your dedication and devotion, thank you.

A magnificent work of the modeler's art my friend, a far cry from the Guillows and Lindburg models I used to build as a child 50 + years ago.

Absolutely amazing! Really great work! Respekt! And you definitely deserved the drink. Cheers!

I realize at 1/18 scale, molded details are vastly improved and along with increased costs, but I would have still used as much resin, white metal (pewter) & p.e. as possible, everywhere. Most especially in the larger scales, like 1/48 (maybe, but definitely larger) & up, you really should skip the use of decals for stencil & paint as much as possible. The paint is infinitely easier to weather, and it doesn’t add thickness like a decal does, also there’s no chance of silvering or carrier film showing. One last tip/trick. When removing the canopy mask. If you use a toothpick to lift the edge, you reduce the risk of scratching the “glass”, that is unless you want the scratches. Awesome build though. Thanks for sharing.

Great review and build! The detail and weathering was simply excellent, she's a beast!

Absolutely Amazing work!!, Fantastic result, spot on

Beautiful job! Thank you for sharing!

Had palpitations and shivers watching you build this kit and not cleaning the pieces when first taken off the sprues.

аплодирую стоя! смотрел с начала и до конца! такой выдержке и терпению можно только позавидовать, мучение - красить такую БОЛЬШУЮ, МАТЬ ЕЁ модель!)

Three things or points of interest. #1, Geezis, that is big!😮 #2 OMG! The work (build) is unreal! 🏆 #3 many thanx 4 the vid, a true gift. Amazing, the things we discover, trip over 😆. GR8 effort 👍👍😉

I always look forward to your videos. Well done sir!

Just unbelievable thats all i can say that has to be the most impressive 👏 bit of modelling ive ever seen 😳 hats off to you just ordered this model reboxed as i love it cant wait youve given me ideas the rubbing off the paint and the silver patching to look like bare metal is what i think is tops thanks for sharing

This is just a massive beast. Outstanding work Alex.

Absolutely gorgeous!!! I want this kit sooooo bad! Love watching you work Alex. Thanks for another amazing video. :)

I just built some 1/24 front engine dragsters, I removed the seat belts that were molded into the seats and fashioned my own using an old under armor type shirt to make the straps. It turned out great and in my opinion looks and acts just like real seat belts. I hate to say it, but you did the same thing that so many people do with WWII aircraft trying to make it look cool or "realistic" and totally mess up. That is a Navy carrier aircraft. Bombs for carrier based aircraft only go on an aircraft once and never come back to the ship because back then a carrier landing was dangerous enough without ordinance on the aircraft. So even if a flight didn't find a target the bombs were jettisoned before landing, so the bombs always looked brand spanking new and didn't ever have time to get weathered.

many thanks for sharing the build of this 'beast'!

Очередной раз убеждаюсь, вы волшебник👍👍👍👍💖

Enjoyed watching this. The weathering looked way over the top when it was being done close up but when you see the final completed aircraft it all looks like natural wear and tear. Well done.

Wow! This is fantastic! Guess I better get onto kit whom I bought many years ago. Thanks for showing us your marvelous touch. Excellent.

Fantastic craftsmanship! Marvelous video. You are a grandmaster. I was lucky enough to meet an older gentleman recently who worked on the assembly line at the Douglas plant and built these planes. He was amazed I had any idea what the Douglas Dauntless was. Great aircraft.

My man, you are a professional. Awesome build!

(17:30) Astonishing work. (21:43) this highlight was another perfect technique. (55:00) This bomb's painting and finish is beyond everything I've attempted before. Wonderfully realistic.

Fantastic video Alex, thank you ever so much. I love modeling but running a farm leaves just hardly any time. Looking at your fantastic builds keeps me connected to modeling, hoping that one day.... good luck with all your projects, and thank you for spending so much time and dedication keeping modelers informed!

Great job, Alex. Real nice work, a true pro.

This makes sense for sure I know how hard it is as I'm trying to get my first video up. It's a big learning curve and a lot of work for absolutely. You do a great job on all your content keep up the great work Alex. I think your channel rocks!

Great build and finish, well done !thanks for posting

1hour 19minutes 1 second it said "not bad for an amateur"....heck, after seeing your skills, I might as well close up my plastic airplane "workshop" and start playing chess. Incredible work my friend!! Amateur, not even close. :DDD

By far some of your best work brother!

This is pure therapy...

It was great I am using modeling to try and regain my fine motor skills after cancer and sugary. I loved the detailed video thanks my friend.

Ahh, the SBD-3 Dauntless. My second favorite plane of WW2. Before watching this video, I've been a little scared of trying to paint plane or tank models. But now? I really want to try it. And I may start with a smaller Dauntless, but I'll eventually get this kit and set aside an entire summer to build it. Thanks for getting me inspired

Just got back into building plastic models. I like this kit. I'll need to add it to my collection.

perfection! Well done.

Love It Love it Love it! Motivates me to keep building & creating. Please keep sharing Alex.

this is excellent,,seen it before,,just fancied watching it again,well done!!!

im building the old revel 1:48 kit, its a really basic kit bit a great muke for hyper scratch detailing. full new cickpit etc. this is a great ref video of techniquea that i can use and great detail video, many thanka.

Great work indeed. In my opinion, I wouldn't do that extensive chipping you've done but after watching you enjoying the work, well, I think, what the heck! Congrats and thank you for sharing this video and some techniques for modeling.

Outstanding. My favorite plane. Hopefully I’ll be able to build one this good.

very very nice Alex, great work and great video, thank you very much. best regards Thomas

That was a beast of a kit to build but enjoyed every moment. Watched the whole thing home sick. Great job!

Проделана колоссальная работа, сделано очень красиво и богато. Мастер!!! Great work has been done, done very beautifully and richly. Master!!!

To me, this is your best build. AWESOME finished kit. Just... GREAT. I love your videos, your energy and positive way of ¨modeling with a smile¨. God bless and regards from Argentina!

One of my favourite aircraft! And in 1/18 WOW.

Nothing less than outstanding!

Yup, naild it again, love the creativity on the instrument panel, Don’t drop it !

For the seat belts, I've seen narrow craft/gift wrap ribbon used to good effect - has the advantage of being able to take a stain for weathering and fraying also. :)

Lo máximo este avión!! Dio buena pelea en el Pacífico. Excelente trabajo de modelismo.

This is absolutely strictly art work not model building, I primarily build trucks but once in awhile I'll try aircraft, never could figure out how to build them properly until I saw this video, so to anyone that criticize your work, I would love to see there build channel and educate all of us non- skilled imperfect mortals, I subscribed and am enjoying watching your artistry in action.

Brilliant ! Thank you !

THE best model build bud I’ve ever watched. Really awesome….. New subscriber here !!!! More vids like this plz 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😀😀😀

Exquisite build and detail work..! I happily sat through your excellent video, over three nights, and learned so much about the nuances of building and perfecting that look of a war weary aircraft. I have been in the aviation business and seen some restored war birds, which I found too pristine and fastidious ... Your work speak volumes of what aircraft like this one went through, kept airworthy, but certainly been doing it tough... Thank you !

Best build a have ever seen! compliments.

Well done Alex, large models , especially this one are very very hard to add detail, as weathering, may look ‘ dumb ‘ artificial and like a large toy store mass produced pre made model, you’ve done a fantastic job, anyone to talk less, well I bet they’ve never posted a video, like Plasmo, a beyond gifted modeller he’s sharing a hell of a lot of techniques, like yourself , clear and well focused, showing all work and being humble , well done ! I think you’ve done extremely bloody well , a lot of modellers won’t make large models , because the realistic feel can’t be shown and it is harder , and it’s easier to add detail to 1/24 to 1/48, that I’ve seen made , the majority make 1/48, so , a bloody pat on your back to rising to the challenge, well done once again and thank you for showing the products , as I can use a page out of your book, The only criticism, is add more ‘ wiring ‘ , plumbing , cockpit area , take away moulded plastic controls and added more ‘ hand made ‘ improvised items , using plastic sheeting , small copper shafts, etc.. basically the full 3D aspect, But other than that , you’ve inspired for me to buy this model , and my wife will probably divorce me, she’ll come back after a few days , but it will be worth it, better than having an affair !!! You’ve inspired and don’t class your self as a amateur, I’ve been making models for 38 years , and at least you’ve posted a video of learning and trying , that’s all that counts , I feel you’ve done a ripper job, and its all about passion, well deserved drink, wish I was drinking with you ,enjoy And thanks for posting , looking forward to seeing more of your work .

That is completely amazing. I like the Maskol technique for chipping...definitely going to borrow that idea.

Wow! Great build, and cheers at the end! Pheewwphh at the well deserved 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

So realistic. Beautiful job !!!

Великолепно! Смотрю, учусь!

First time watching you , verry impressive build and paint job which must have taken a long time to do, nice!!!!

Great video, lenghty but very interesting. The very first model kit I ever made was precisely a Douglas SDB Dauntless, a 1:72 Airfix kit. Although I was barely 9 years old then I immediately recognized the aircraft with its characteristic wing flaps. Thanks for sharing this and bring back those memories!

That is an incredible build!

Menudo pedazo de avion.😱😱, grandioso, magnificent, congratulations of Manuel of Spain, Obrigado Alex.✌️👍👏👏👏👏💪🇪🇸🐂🇪🇸

With all the chipping, fading, and weathering, this plane looks like it came from the bottom of Truk Lagoon! Very interesting approach on a really big bird!

Oh my Godness! It is huge.. A well done job.👍👍👍

That was awesome…a kit I’m going to build..great job 👍👍👍

Just stunning work, amazing attention to detail👍👍

Simply stunning. Could be my next build

Amazing work Alex 👍🏼👍🏼

God bless the pilots that give up their lives on the battle of MIDWAY in these planes.

Looks amazing, and yes is more weathering than I think I would have done 😄 but it's Your Kit, you can do it anyway You want.. It Still looks Great, you did a great job for sure! I think if I ever decide to try this kit myself, I'm going to mask and Paint the Markings instead of using the decals, at least the National Marking White Stars .. only thing i would say was wrong is the color of the machine guns the bluing used and still used is an almost flat black/blue and to weather the guns i'd use a very little amount of dry brushed light steel more than silver mostly below where the ammo belt feeds are and the edges of feed tray.. when I was in Army most of our 50 cal mgs were from WW2 or korea with few mods well maintained the bluing was on there so good that there wasn't much shine. even after 40 years of use.

Not the only one loving this pal, educational, entertaining.....man!! YOU’RE ON FIRE 🔥 Loved it, I’m new to this, watching you paint was amazing. You gotta do more of these pal.....PLEASE??!?

Expensive kit, excellent work

😳😳Incredible job. The Best Video i've seen. Wait for more.

I just want to say holy sh!"* You are amazing mad skills I love watching your videos it's amazing how authentic your models look.

Well, that's an hour and a half I'll never get back, and you know what? That's just fine! Worth every minute. I shudder to think how long this vid took to produce and edit. Thanks - Glad I found your channel. I look forward to more.. BTW - I'm a long time modeler, and this is the first 1/18 scale aircraft kit I've seen (and I've never heard of Merit). Maybe I should get out more.

First time ever to see a 1/18 scale aircraft... Really impressive building! I really wanna get one if I have a chance in the future.

Best video ever. Very well done. You are real artist.