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

[Tim Marlow]

.... So then, despite it being Rach's Birthday today,I did get some stuff done :smiling3: ....
Got a bit fed up by being delayed by working out how some bits go together,(the instructions really are THAT vague. :sad: ),and the crew....
....SO...I just got stuck in....


They ain't perfect by a long shot,but they'll do when it's all closed up :smiling3: ...
And all along....

... shortly after this I discovered that the bottom of the control panel needs to be chopped off to get the 2halves of fuselage to go together!! :sad: .... Nevermind, I'm kinda getting used to that sort of thing with this build!!
Despite all of that,I'm sure this can turn out ok.

Coming along nicely Andy. Certainly a lot going on inside these isn’t there…..

 

[Mark1]

Nice progress so far :thumb2:

 

[scottie3158]

Smifffy looking very good mate.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Crack on Mr. Smiff.......we got faith in your abilities to chop it out the way and Moggle on! :thumb2:

Cheers Rick,.... I'm starting to hone my skills as a hatchet man in this build!!

Coming along nicely Andy. Certainly a lot going on inside these isn’t there…..

Thanks Tim,and yes there is isn't there.... Seems a LOT of effort going into just dropping a Torpedo!!

Nice progress so far :thumb2:

Thanks very much Mark, it's been quite the ride!!

Smifffy looking very good mate.

Cheers Scottie,.... It'll come together in a few days I hope.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

.... So then,
It's slowed up quite a bit due to stuff I mentioned previously

.... HOWEVER,I've added some tiny paint stuff to try and blend bits together there. ..... And then primered some sub assemblies,(mostly my BIG love.... GUNS !! ) ...oh,and some wheels?! . ...

.. also,you can see the Dorsal turret gunner making a cameo there... IF he fits.
That's it for now... Night,night.

 

[minitnkr]

This is quite a build. I had no idea the true size of this aircraft. Some excellent work here.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

This is quite a build. I had no idea the true size of this aircraft. Some excellent work here.

Thanks very much Paul....
.... I didn't either!!
It truly was a BIG bird, very interesting getting it together as I'm obviously learning all about them along the way.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

This is quite a build. I had no idea the true size of this aircraft. Some excellent work here.

There you go Paul .....
... Quite a monster eh?!!

 

[langy71]

Andy, you're wrestling this bad boy into shape... the size reminds me of the P-47 Thunderbolt, which for a single seat fighter was absolutely humongous..

loving it so far buddy...(I will get back to my zero over the weekend... I promise)

 

[Mini Me]

Very intimidating on the ground with the prop turning.....my first plane handling experience was directing an AD around a course, while walking backwards, giving hand signals to the Pilot to keep him on course. Your progress is commendable Mr. Smiff keep it coming Pard! :thumb2:

 

[KarlW]

... not the greatest of pics...
... But I rest my case...

My bad, I meant .30 as we weren't using mm then.

 

[Waspie]

Very intimidating on the ground with the prop turning.....my first plane handling experience was directing an AD around a course, while walking backwards, giving hand signals to the Pilot to keep him on course. Your progress is commendable Mr. Smiff keep it coming Pard! :thumb2:

Know what you mean! We had the Gannet in the RN. Contra rotating props and a central nose wheel just behind them!!! Scary as you say walking backwards trying not to become mesmerised!!!!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Know what you mean! We had the Gannet in the RN. Contra rotating props and a central nose wheel just behind them!!! Scary as you say walking backwards trying not to become mesmerised!!!!

The Gannet….possibly the ugliest aircraft ever built! At least, I thought so when I saw the one at Yeovilton…..

 

[The Smythe Meister]

The Gannet….possibly the ugliest aircraft ever built! At least, I thought so when I saw the one at Yeovilton…..

Ha!!...... Couldn't agree more !
.... Ugly plane....ugly name!!

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Andy, you're wrestling this bad boy into shape... the size reminds me of the P-47 Thunderbolt, which for a single seat fighter was absolutely humongous..

loving it so far buddy...(I will get back to my zero over the weekend... I promise)

Cheers Chris.... It is quite a battle I must admit,but I'm slowly getting there! ...
A Thunderbolt is on my wish list... that really was a MONSTER of a single seater!! Look forward to seeing you back on the Zero.

Very intimidating on the ground with the prop turning.....my first plane handling experience was directing an AD around a course, while walking backwards, giving hand signals to the Pilot to keep him on course. Your progress is commendable Mr. Smiff keep it coming Pard! :thumb2:

Thanks very much Rick,yes, definitely was a beast of a plane.

My bad, I meant .30 as we weren't using mm then.

No worries Karl..... what's in a couple mm?!! :smiling3:

 

[Waspie]

The Gannet….possibly the ugliest aircraft ever built! At least, I thought so when I saw the one at Yeovilton…..

Oh I agree, but couldn’t beat it when in cod role!!! Mail and supplies. Also second to none when used in its prime role.
Ugly don’t not mean useless!! :smiling2:
Always liked watching it spreading and folding its wings!!
There is an unsubstantiated story of the nose wheel chocks being removed prior to taxiing with the chock man walking through the contra rotating props when spinning and survived. No idea if true or not but the story is legend in the FAA!!

 

[The Smythe Meister]

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
So,gun progress.....

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. ....

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....

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

 

[Waspie]

The Gannet….possibly the ugliest aircraft ever built! At least, I thought so when I saw the one at Yeovilton…..

Oh I agree, but couldn’t beat it when in cod role!!! Mail and supplies. Also second to none when used in its prime role.
Ugly don’t not mean useless!! :smiling2:
Always liked watching it spreading and folding its wings!!

 

[Waspie]

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.....

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: ....

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....

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 scour round the net and ask on navy net, some even older farts on there who may know or at least know where to look.
Not related to your current snag. But modern airborne dropped torp’s have a para-sheet a fixed behind the propeller to allow correct entry angle into the sea. A paddle on the bottom of the para-sheet holder the releases the para-sheet allowing the weapon to run free!!

 

[stillp]

The Gannet….possibly the ugliest aircraft ever built! At least, I thought so when I saw the one at Yeovilton…..

Beautiful in a strange way though. I used to pass the one that was in a private garden near Cirencester most days, wondering how much damage the wether was doing to the wing fold mechanism as well as the rest of the airframe. The last I heard of that one it had been sold and moved to White Waltham, whether for restoration or breaking for parts I don't know.
Pete