This is
Trumpeter's 1/32 scale TBM-1C Avenger done in the livery of VC-76, flying off of
the U.S.S. Petrof Bay in 1945. This model was completed out of box except
for the use of Tech-Mod decals, and EZ-line .003 rigging. The photos taken were
done before rigging was added.
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images below to see larger images
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This was my
first large scale WWII bird in many many years. It was a great change of
pace from the many 1/32 jets I have built. Painting up a radial engine for
the first time was quite the challenge, but I'm happy with how it turned
out.
The Trumpeter
kit is extremely detailed. The Avenger has plenty of interior
detail, and the interior could be considered a kit itself. Construction went
fairly easy. The kit is not overly complicated, it just has many sub
assemblies to tackle. It took a very long time just to close up the
fuselage. I was very tempted to finish the kit with the wings folded, but
end the end I glued them locked in place (by doing so, I unknowingly made
the model to big to fit in my display case. Doh!)
The kit's fit
was very good, especially considering how many parts had to fit into
place. I used a little filler on the fuselage behind the cockpit.
The wing
fit up very snug against the fuselage and no filler was needed. Nice!
I
finished the model using Model Master enamels.
Decals were from Tech-Mod. They went on nicely. The decals even included vinyl masks; a very nice
touch considering how much masking would be involved otherwise
on this kit. Weather was accomplished using Pro-modeler Dark wash.
Overall
I'm happy with how the model turned out.
I'm sure there are things that I
got wrong on the kit, but this was my first "real" attempt at a
WWII bird, and I'm please with the results. Now I have to figure out how
to store this thing! :-)
Matt Wohlford
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images below to see larger images
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