Academy 1/48 Grumman TB3 Avenger

[RangerNeil]

Started putting the stencils on tonight - and lost three of them. That gloss clear coat is STILL tacky in places - enough to grab the smaller decals. So one of the "Hands off" on the elevator trim tabs is half there and half not whilst two small " STEP" ones that went either side of the fuselage are totally FUBAR'd
Fortunately the underwing ones went on OK - although you'll need to zoom in to see them!!

[digger303]

I can't see them, but it looks good otherwise.
Nice smooth glossy underside.

[RangerNeil]

I can't see them, but it looks good otherwise.
Nice smooth glossy underside.

If you zoom in on the photo you can - just see them. A number of panels marked "Insp ", the words "Jack Pad" beside the fuselage at the front of the wing. And "Disconnect cables" warnings by the locations of the radar Yagi's. They can be seen best on the left wing with the white arrow on it .

I'm wondering if a hair dryer on low might aid the gloss varnish in finally drying?? Right now its patchy - there are area where its thoroughly dry and others where it varies from slightly tacky to very sticky......

[RangerNeil]

Quick update - the gloss clearcoat STILL wasn't dry so someone in a FB group recomended the SMS product. I got some the other day, tried it on a Gripen with the same problems and it dried beautifully. So the Avenger got a coat tonight and I'll check it tomorrow.

[Stokesy44]

Quick update - the gloss clearcoat STILL wasn't dry so someone in a FB group recomended the SMS product. I got some the other day, tried it on a Gripen with the same problems and it dried beautifully. So the Avenger got a coat tonight and I'll check it tomorrow.

It feels like the modelling Gods are smiling mate. Good save.

[RangerNeil]

I started putting the upper surface decals on today. Black writing on dark blue paint - I had to stop after a while as my eyes were killing me!! If you can spot them in the photos you've got better eyes than me!!

[digger303]

I can see them , just can't read it

[Stokesy44]

I can see them , just can't read it

Black stencils on dark blue paint? That's the modelling Gods giving your nose a little tweak whilst saying, well done, good and faithful servant!

[RangerNeil]

Nearly all the stencils are on now - some of them you can actually see (if you zoom in...)!!!


There's a couple to go on parts of the canopy, half a dozen on parts of the undercarriage, 4 on the bomb doors and half a dozen on the fuselage still. Finishing line is in sight.

[digger303]

I can't zoom in so I'll take your word for it.

[RangerNeil]

I can't zoom in so I'll take your word for it.

These will give you the same problem then Digger.

All the decals are now on except the bomb bay boors and the crew access door. I forgot to give the bomb bay doors a coat of gloss and the crew door was varnished - but has gone funny (see photo). Main udercarriage legs are on too. Next step is the matt varnishand then the canopy, windows and light lenses etc can go on.












See what I mean about the crew door.....

[DRUMS01]

Sorry, but I searched everywhere and cannot find the other detail photos. Knowing my luck, I will fall into them after your build and I’ve stopped looking.

[RangerNeil]

Sorry, but I searched everywhere and cannot find the other detail photos. Knowing my luck, I will fall into them after your build and I’ve stopped looking.

'Tis the immutable law of Murphy!!
Not to worry - I've been looking too - and what a confusing hole it is to crawl down!
The kit says there are two "PUSH" stencils on the outer face of the undercarriage braceing. I found 6 aircraft and none of them has that marking.
Only 1 of the 6 had the red stencil on the undercarriage leg to do with using a tug.
And 4 of the 6 had the upper surface stencils in White, not black.
Doh!!!

[digger303]

Sorry, but I searched everywhere and cannot find the other detail photos. Knowing my luck, I will fall into them after your build and I’ve stopped looking.

'Tis the immutable law of Murphy!!
Not to worry - I've been looking too - and what a confusing hole it is to crawl down!
The kit says there are two "PUSH" stencils on the outer face of the undercarriage braceing. I found 6 aircraft and none of them has that marking.
Only 1 of the 6 had the red stencil on the undercarriage leg to do with using a tug.
And 4 of the 6 had the upper surface stencils in White, not black.
Doh!!!

It's always the way with kits some details are off, question is will it bug you or not.
Must be a group mind meld or something because I've bought a TDB-1 some months ago and I think it's almost here and Francis bought a Avenger too and to me they look all fairly similar....should I duck now
great work by the way I really like what your doing with this one.

[Stokesy44]

Slow and steady wins the race!

A bit of history for you. I came across this powerful story in my Youtube feed.

The Avenger is the only aircraft ever used by the USN to bury a crewman at sea. Gunner Loyce Edward Deen was killed when his aircraft was badly damaged by flak during the battle of Manila Bay in November 1944. His pilot managed to get the aircraft back to the USS Essex but the gunner's body was so badly damaged in the turret that the carrier's captain elected to have Gunner Deen buried at sea in his aircraft. A full ceremony was held on the flight deck then the aircraft was pushed overboard.

Damaged aircraft were routinely canibalised for spare parts so it shows great credit on the navy's part that they took this course of action to honor Gunner Deen.

[RangerNeil]

All the stencils are now on. Was going to use a matt varnish but a quick dig on Google revealed the US Navy started using a semi-gloss or gloss finish around 1943 to add corrosion protection. So semi-gloss/satin it was.


Next up is the ordinance - the bombs also have had a coat of satin and are drying. Went to do the rockets - and found one had got damaged. Looked like something heavy had dropped on it such that one fin was bent back up against the mount pylon and one fin was missing altogether. So a new one was cut out from 0.5mm plastic card. Looks acceptable I think.

[digger303]

Load her up

[RangerNeil]

Ordinace is now all on as are the lower glazing sections. If anyone else is thinking of building this make sure the rear gun angles down at a more acute angle. I set mine shallower thinking it would be more appropriate for a plane on the ground and it made getting the glazing piece on damned difficult once the tail wheel door was on!!
Also - fit the undercarriage doors to the wings BEFORE fitting the undercarriage components - they can be usedto line everything else up. I did it the other way round - oops - I
had to finangle the doors to fit.


And with the radar aerials on.


One way of getting the wheels to line up......


Once everything has set I can flip her over and finish the top off.

[digger303]

On the home straight now and it's looking like a keeper.

[RangerNeil]

Bomb bay doors going on now!!

[digger303]

[RangerNeil]

On the finishing straight now.....
Last parts of the cockpit added:


Canopy dry- fitted - still need to clean the lines a little bit...




Overall view:

[Stokesy44]

Superb work. Canopy glazing looks nicely done

[digger303]

Really good stuff.

[DRUMS01]

Looks Nice...

[RangerNeil]

Thanks everyone. Calling this one done now and the pics are in the Reveal section. Hope you like it.

[Phillip1]

RangerNeil-Very nice build! The Avenger is a beautiful and impressive airplane.

Phillip1

[RangerNeil]

RangerNeil-Very nice build! The Avenger is a beautiful and impressive airplane.

Phillip1

Many thanks