FINISHED - TBM3 Avenger by CDW - Trumpeter - 1:32 scale

[CDW]

Just now, Old Collingwood said:

Cant wait for the mossie    for obvious reasons.

 

OC.

I'm looking forward to that 1:32 Wingnut Wings Lancaster that's coming out sometime this year.The prototype looks amazing. No aftermarket needed for that bad boy but it will require a lot of space to display it. 🙂

[Old Collingwood]

And there was me thinking  the Italeri C130J herc  was  big in 1/48 scale,  I had this kit  a few years back  but sold it on due to its size.

 

OC.

[CDW]

Some bomb graffiti

 

[lmagna]

You mean you don't have the 1/24th Airfix Mosquito stashed in the back somewhere? That would be a true monster. You would probably feel like you were building the real thing.

 

What did you use to apply the graffiti?

Edited February 11, 2020 by lmagna

[CDW]

Just now, lmagna said:

You mean you don't have the 1/24th Airfix Mosquito stashed in the back somewhere? That would be a true monster. You would probably feel like you were building the real thing.

Hmmmm...no I never bought that one. Airfix has come a long way in recent years, improving their products. At one time, buying an Airfix kit was hit or miss. Sometimes they released some real stinkers. Some of those 1:24 kits they produced didn't fit well at all and I didn't want to take a chance on the big Mossie. It could be a great kit but I just don't know. Big for sure!

[lmagna]

According to some Utube reviews it has a few problems both in design and related to it's massive size. But it seems everyone feels that with care it builds into a really nice and certainly impressive model.

[Canute]

The cockpit is gorgeous.  That Turkey is loaded with details. And your usual painting and finishing is the cherry on top.

[CDW]

6 minutes ago, Canute said:

The cockpit is gorgeous.  That Turkey is loaded with details. And your usual painting and finishing is the cherry on top.

Thanks Ken

[CDW]

On 2/9/2020 at 1:57 PM, FriedClams said:

Wonderful work on building the radial CDW - so crisp and clean.  The engine has a great look and feel due to your coloring skills - the tubing/manifold looks very realistic.  I would be very interested to know your coloring process.  I look forward to future updates.

 

Gary

I meant to expound on this question, but almost forgot. Sorry about that.

The old Gunze line of paints is now called Mr. Color. In the Mr. Color range are a set called Mr. Metal Color. For engines, I mainly use iron, aluminum, copper, and others from the range as necessary. I first paint the engine by spraying on a flat black base, then I dry brush using the appropriate Mr. Metal Colors. For the engine cylinders, iron. For the crankcase, aluminum. For the valve covers and push rods, I use Tamiya semi-gloss black. The ignition ring is Mr. Metal Color copper, while other parts are Tamiya acrylics. The exhaust manifolds are painted with Ammo Mig burnt exhaust. Most everything painted gets a wash of black and/or brown. The ignition wires are stripped scrap electrical wire painted with Tamiya acrylic.

Hope this helps. If you think of something more specific, just ask and I'll do my best to answer. 

[lmagna]

15 minutes ago, CDW said:

just ask and I'll do my best to answer. 

What did you use to do the graffiti on the bombs?

[CDW]

Just now, lmagna said:

What did you use to do the graffiti on the bombs?

my 3-0 paintbrush and Tamiya yellow

[FriedClams]

Thanks for the info on your paint choices CDW.  I have used Mr. Surfacer 500 and 1000, but I’ve never tried their paint line.  I’ll have to check out their “metal color“ products as it clearly produces some excellent results, at least in your skilled hands.  Enjoying your log - very nice work.

 

Gary

[CDW]

Just now, FriedClams said:

Thanks for the info on your paint choices CDW.  I have used Mr. Surfacer 500 and 1000, but I’ve never tried their paint line.  I’ll have to check out their “metal color“ products as it clearly produces some excellent results, at least in your skilled hands.  Enjoying your log - very nice work.

 

Gary

Thanks for the kind words Gary, but the Mr Metal Color paints are very easy to use. They excel at dry brushing as they contain very finely ground metal pigments. The more your use your (dry) brush, the metal color pops out. Very similar in some ways to the Testors Metalizer paints that were popular years ago (if you're familiar with those) but better.

[Old Collingwood]

Great work on the bomb bays  - you so could go to town at that scale  - make one drule.

 

OC.

[popeye the sailor]

awesome progress.......nice touch with the autographs   

[CDW]

A dry run to see if the cockpit/bomb bay/gunner stations fit correctly into the fuselage halves. So far, so good. 

There remains the ventral gunner's station and tail wheel compartment before the fuselage halves can be closed up.

No doubt, this is the best opportunity to see the internal details as I'm sure much of it will not be seen after the halves are closed.

 

[Edwardkenway]

Superb work Craig. I really like this build as it's one of my preferred eras of aircraft, carrier borne fighters and bombers both US  and Japanese. 

OMG I just looked at the photos on my tablet as usually I use my mobile and the detail you got ......!!!!

So once again SUPERB work

Edited February 12, 2020 by Edwardkenway

[popeye the sailor]

looks so nice    turn it so the light can get rid of the shadow  

[lmagna]

WOW Craig! That interior is beyond nice! I can't believe it is OOB! I had no idea that the interior of the Avenger was even this complex!

 

I am STILL jealous of your skills though.

[mtaylor]

Yes!!!!!  Put some light on that beautiful work so we can see the details!!!!!

[Old Collingwood]

We have a  preserved  one over here  RN  version   -   

 

https://www.fleetairarm.com/exhibit/grumman-avenger-ecm6b-xb446/2-4-13.aspx

 

OC.

[CDW]

In the middle of my hobby fun, chores around the house have gone front and center. I have some things to take care of that are due, so must spend some days finishing those up before I can return to this big bird.

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for a set of canopy masks to arrive from England and paint from New Hampshire.

As MacArthur said, I shall return.

[CDW]

The Avenger crew consisted of three men. A bombardier-radioman, turret gunner, and the pilot.

The bombardier-radioman sat in a bench seat underneath the turret gun, where a .30 caliber machine gun was mounted pointed to the rear to serve as a ventral defensive armament. 

The gun turret was electric powered, the gunner having his own seat and a .50 caliber machine gun to help fend off enemy fighters.

 

In order to join and cement the fuselage halves, the turret glass must be installed first as it will not fit after the fuselage halves are joined. Consequently, this will cause a delay as the canopy mask set is inbound from a vendor in England. Because this model was originally produced in 2005, very few aftermarket items can be found for it now. If you find one you're almost forced to buy it even if it must come from across the ocean. 

 

I've been checking the fit of the internal details to the fuselage halves as I'm progressing, trying to avoid any unexpected fit issues when the halves go together. So far so good, as everything seems to be very well engineered and fits well.

 

[lmagna]

WOW! That cockpit is so much more involved that I ever thought it would be. It will be a shame covering it up! I also find the chromium green color so much more interesting, at least the way you do it, than the gray and black I am having to use on my build.   

[CDW]

There's a good sized window on the port side and a door on the starboard side at the bombardier's station that will enable a limited view. Once the turret frame is painted, there will be a limited view from that direction. Will decide whether to use the open canopy at the pilot's area or closed. Leaning toward open right now. Bomb bay doors will be left open. 

[Old Collingwood]

Great work  - looking really nice.

 

OC.

[Roger Pellett]

This would look great sitting on a section of carrier deck.

 

 

[CDW]

1 hour ago, Roger Pellett said:

This would look great sitting on a section of carrier deck.

 

 

That's a great idea Roger.

[CDW]

Just an hour or so after I posted the last photos, the canopy mask set arrived in the mail from England. Because of the complexity of the masking required for this model, the pre cut masking set is a huge benefit for a small cost. 

 

 

[Landlubber Mike]

Looks well worth it!  That would be quite a complicated tape job especially with the round surfaces.  Really nice job.

 

Can I ask what paint you're using for the Chromate Green?  Is that the Vallejo bottle I saw in an earlier picture?