The Smythemeister's TBF/TBM 1 Avenger. Italeri 1/48

[The Smythe Meister]

Mr. Smiff, Part # 96A is the transport cart for the ordinance and not used inside the aircraft. I can't tell you what the little stick thing is (103M), but if it doesn't stop the attachment of the torpedo in the bomb bay, I wouldn't worry too much about it. HTH's a bit Andy...

Prost
Allen

Excellent stuff!!
Thanks very much Allen,that's that problem sorted then
Much appreciated mate,and yes, I'll leave part 103 off,can't see a need for it

[Waspie]

Mr. Smiff, Part # 96A is the transport cart for the ordinance and not used inside the aircraft. I can't tell you what the little stick thing is (103M), but if it doesn't stop the attachment of the torpedo in the bomb bay, I wouldn't worry too much about it. HTH's a bit Andy...

Prost
Allen

I think the ‘little stick’ is to distance the two carrying arms of the carrier.
The carrier would be fitted to the weapon. The weapon and carrier offered to the aircraft and secured.
When the pilot drops the torpedo, the carrier will fall off with the weapon, bungee’s will open the carrier and sling away from the now falling weapon allowing a clean drop into the ogin!!!

[Waspie]

Andy, found this. Pic of the aircraft and a Mk13 torpedo prior to loading. You can get an idea of the arrangement for attaching the weapon.

Edited to add, after a good search through Avengers dropping torpedo's. They appear to drop them 'negative para-sheet'. In hindsight, I think the reason for modern aircraft using the para-sheet maybe due to the sensitive sensors in the nose of modern torpedo's. Too high an entry angle would damage the sonars etc. (Not fitted to WW2 weapons).

Torpedo drop! If you look closely at the torpedo, it is clean, ie no securing bands around the weapon.

[The Smythe Meister]

Andy, found this. Pic of the aircraft and a Mk13 torpedo prior to loading. You can get an idea of the arrangement for attaching the weapon.

Edited to add, after a good search through Avengers dropping torpedo's. They appear to drop them 'negative para-sheet'. In hindsight, I think the reason for modern aircraft using the para-sheet maybe due to the sensitive sensors in the nose of modern torpedo's. Too high an entry angle would damage the sonars etc. (Not fitted to WW2 weapons).
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Torpedo drop! If you look closely at the torpedo, it is clean, ie no securing bands around the weapon.
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Great stuff Doug.
Interesting photos there, thanks very much for taking the time to look them up and post them,much appreciated

[Waspie]

Andy, a comparison.
Modern(ish) airborne torpedo.

The arrows show the two metal bands and bungee's which attach by hooks to the carrier on the aircraft. The bungee's have a small clockwork timer which releases when away from the dropping aircraft to avoid damaging the airframe. (To show how powerful the bungees are, I was loading two to a Wasp and the timers hadn't been properly set by the armourer. It went off. The bungees pulled the metal bands off the weapon which dropped back onto its carrier. However, the band just missed me by a whisker but took the face and central pin cleanly off my Omega Seamaster watch. (Couldn't even claim off insurance either!!:loudly-crying I has some mean reactions back then!!
The big red bit at the back is the para-sheet which is attached to the aircraft and when at a prescribed distance from the aircraft a chord then deploys the chute!

[Tim Marlow]

A brief update and a request for some info coming up.....
Must admit, I'm starting to get a little impatient,so much going on inside this thing.... I just want to get the fuselage halves together,(and after over a dozen dry fits,at various stages,I KNOW that ain't gonna be a doddle!), but that'll have to wait a while, until the tail wheel and bombardier's mg are installed :sad:
So,gun progress.....
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Some bits to add to the turret gun yet,but it's almost done....the figure I was going to use in the turret doesn't fit,so I'll have to come up with "plan B " .....
Now,the question....
I was going to use bombs as the payload,but seeing as I'm doing the bomb carrying, Dauntless next,I thought I'd do this with the Torpedo for variation. :smiling3: ....
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Not sure what the bit in the middle is for, it's far too short to go between the cradles? The thing at the bottom,which I assume is a kind of sling to give the correct angle to launch the Torpedo,gives no clue as to how/where it attaches to Torp or bomb bay ,and the instructions are absolutely no help whatsoever....
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That's it,no further reference to it at all..... I've obviously tried the internet,but can't find anything at all...anyone have any ideas please?
Cheers,
Andy

I’ll have a look at mine later and see if it throws any light on this Andy…..don’t remember those parts though, so don’t hold your breath….

[Tim Marlow]

Blimey....just found it, hope the link works!

Certainty does. Amazed no one’s nicked the scrap propellor for the metal though…..and what’s the other cockpit?

[The Smythe Meister]

Certainty does. Amazed no one’s nicked the scrap propellor for the metal though…..and what’s the other cockpit?

Ha!.... Well, that house is on the bend of the road that skirts around the edge of St.Mawgan.... literally just 10's of metres from the security fence. it's probably still very regularly patrolled by both RAF Police,and also US Marines.... So that's probably a bit of a deterrent to any wannabe thieves
As for the other cockpit,I have no idea,only ever had eyes for the Spitfire when I passed!!

[scottie3158]

Smiffffy all looking good mate and coming together nicely.

[Tim Marlow]

Ha!.... Well, that house is on the bend of the road that skirts around the edge of St.Mawgan.... literally just 10's of metres from the security fence. it's probably still very regularly patrolled by both RAF Police,and also US Marines.... So that's probably a bit of a deterrent to any wannabe thieves
As for the other cockpit,I have no idea,only ever had eyes for the Spitfire when I passed!! :smiling3:

Must be more law abiding around there Andy. When I lived in Salisbury my house was about fifty yards from the local police station car park, so naturally we had police cars going by all day and night. I once left an old radiator in my front garden for putting in my car and taking to the council tip in the morning. When I got up, it was gone! Saved me a trip though :thumb2:

[Waspie]

Must be more law abiding around there Andy. When I lived in Salisbury my house was about fifty yards from the local police station car park, so naturally we had police cars going by all day and night. I once left an old radiator in my front garden for putting in my car and taking to the council tip in the morning. When I got up, it was gone! Saved me a trip though :thumb2:

The RAF St Mawgan gate had a proper sobering sign last time I visited.

"The use of deadly force is authorised"

If it’s still there that may deter a few!!! That and the mass of tools needed to remove any bits of the plane!!

[Tim Marlow]

The RAF St Mawgan gate had a proper sobering sign last time I visited.

"The use of deadly force is authorised"

If it’s still there that may deter a few!!! That and the mass of tools needed to remove any bits of the plane!!

I was thinking more of the loose prop on the outside of the hedge. But I get your point :thumb2:

[Waspie]

I was thinking more of the loose prop on the outside of the hedge. But I get your point :thumb2:

I never saw a loose prop!!!

Spec savers for me then!!!! Doh

[Tim Marlow]

I never saw a loose prop!!!

Spec savers for me then!!!! Doh

Better check myself…..I might be imagining it….

[Waspie]

Better check myself…..I might be imagining it….

Nope, it’s there. First time I looked all I got was a pic of the plane, looked just now and was able to pan right!! One prop on the deck!!!
Cancel Specsavers!!!!