Monogram 1/48 TBD Devastator
Here’s my Monogram TBD, still a terrific kit despite its age. I added lots of scratch-built details, seat belts and a few photo-etched pieces to dress up the cockpit, a vac-form canopy, and enclosed the wheel wells.
The decals from the spares box (I built it about 15 years ago, before Golden Wings came along!) The wing stars and fuselage code letters were taken from various Micro-Scale national insignia and letters and numbers sheets. The VT-6 squadron insignia is also Micro-Scale, but from a 1/72 sheet for TBD’s. It’s a little undersized, but it was the only one I could find at the time. I’ll eventually replace it with a larger version I now have. The aircraft designator and BuNo on the tail were pieced together from some decals in my spars box, and some left-over numbers from an Accutate Minitures F3F-1 sheet. The red wing and fuselage stripes and the thin black pinstripes were from clear decal sheet I painted. I used the kit decals as a template for the wing chevrons and fuselage band.
I have another TBD on my shelf in Coral Sea markings, and two more in the stash. Still tempted to get the Great Wall kit, though. I love TBD’s!
7 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on March 27, 2013
I don’t remember seeing one of these builds any better than this one, Drew.
Frederick J Seitz III said on March 27, 2013
Fantastic job! Love the “Yellow Wing” and you did a great job. I agree that even with it being released in about 1974, (IIRC), still a great kit and is a fun model to build.
The GW kit is a winner too, and if you really love the TBD, pick it up, it looks to be a great build too!
Freddie
Rob Anderson said on March 27, 2013
Love it!
Tom Cleaver said on March 28, 2013
Really good work here, an easy 10.
Drew Tarter said on March 29, 2013
Thanks, Tom – much appreciated.
larry serafin said on March 29, 2013
one of my favorite ww2 planes nice job
Drew Tarter said on March 29, 2013
Thanks, Larry!
Bill Weckel said on April 23, 2019
I have both kits in the stash. Planning on building the Monogram first, and then, either be greatly relieved or mildly disappointed by building the Great Wall kit. I’ll y’all know how it pans out.
Beautiful work!
Robert Knaack said on July 9, 2019
Beautifully done. I’ve always wondered what the guy in the middle seat did on a torpedo run…
Drew Tarter said on July 9, 2019
Thanks, Robert!