Is This the Ultimate 1/72 Helldiver? Academy SB2C “Operation Iceberg” Inbox Review

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver has never had the best reputation and many 1/72 scale releases of this aircraft are becoming ether dated or are limited run kits, but could Academy’s 1/72 “Operation Iceberg” release finally do the aircraft justice?

In this inbox review, I take a close look at Academy’s high-end SB2C Helldiver and compare it to the Airfix, Matchbox, and Sword kits I’ve previously reviewed.


This is by far the most expensive Helldiver in 1/72 scale — but it also promises modern tooling, excellent detail, and some outstanding decals.

In this video, I cover:
Box art and presentation
Instructions and marking options
Plastic parts and mould quality
Fit, detail, and engineering
Decals and overall value for money

If you’ve watched my earlier Helldiver inbox reviews, this video rounds out the comparison and shows just how far the kit has come over the decades.

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👉 Is the Academy Helldiver worth the premium price?
👉 Which 1/72 Helldiver would you choose to build?

Let me know in the comments!

💙 Huge thanks to all current Patreons for your incredible support — including Archie Palmer, IMO, J and K Jones, Matt Austin, Joan Moss, Paulo (Modeling the comeback) and Supply Sergeant Karl!

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Times:
0:00-0:25 Intro
0:25-3:10 Box
3:10-12:01 Instructions and Marking Guides
12:01-24:22 Plastic Parts
24:22-26:54 Decals and PE
26:54-29:06 My Thoughts and Build Plans
29:06-29:41 Outro and Thankyou

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