Accurate Miniatures 1/48 TBM Avenger
This Avenger was one of the absolute best model kits I've ever had the pleasure to put together, all thanks to Jay Mitchell. He sent me this model a while back in an effort to clean out his stash, and I took every opportunity to try new things. And with the airbrush I got as a very late Christmas gift from my mom a few weeks back, I began upon the journey of painting this plane.
I started with spraying the main colors, of which I used a very light grey and a dark grey acrylic paint, and then put the clear coat on. Next, I put the decals on, and made a matte coat on top of those, sealing them in. I then began on my first ever oil wash and weathering. I put it in all the gaps, nooks, crannies, and the like, and left it to dry for a bit before coming back and wiping it off, or streaking it. This left all of the paint work waaaaay too dark. So I did some quick post shading, a new technique that was now available to me with the airbrush, and lightened it up a bit, and put a final clear coat of matte on. This left the plane where it sits now. Done, dusted, and dirty. I like it.
The Avenger entered U.S. service in 1942, and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. And, despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived its service to become the most widely-used and effective torpedo bomber of World War II, with partial credit for sinking the super-battleships Yamato and Musashi (the only ships of that type sunk exclusively by American aircraft while under way) and being credited for sinking 30 submarines.
This was the single most fun project I've ever worked on. I learned soooooo much doing it, and I hope to post more stuff soon with these new techniques. But that's all for now. Thank you for reading, and goodbye!
5 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Greg Kittinger said on February 25, 2021
Nice work Jordyn! I see contest winners in your near future...!
Jordyn Collier said on February 25, 2021
Maybe not winners, but definately participants. I might do so if one ever comes to Arizona.
gary sausmikat said on February 25, 2021
Nice job, Jordyn. I like the panel line accenting.
Jordyn Collier said on February 25, 2021
That was sort of a "I wonder" moment when I was doing the final painting of the model. I think it turned out well for spur of the moment.
Jay Mitchell said on February 25, 2021
That Avenger looks great ! You did an excellent job!
Jordyn Collier said on February 25, 2021
Thank you very much Jay! Wouldnt have been possible without your kindness.
Erik Gjørup said on February 25, 2021
You have been having fun with the learning curve Jordyn @1corsair64! Looking great!
Jordyn Collier said on February 25, 2021
Thanks Eric. I hope to one day get to the point of some of the builders I've seen here and elsewhere. Feels like I just reached a stepping stone.
John Krukowski said on February 25, 2021
I'm new to the site but have been lurking here forever, and have been a witness to your modeling journey. WOW. This one blows me away. I've made attempts at airbrushing a few times and I just don't like it, the feelings are mutual, it doesn't like me either and here you are your first try at it and you're a master. Unlike me you enjoy it, that's huge.
Maybe being young helps, youth meaning more open to new things and ideas.
I hadda double-check the name on this post! Not that I didn't love your earlier works but this is like night & day. You're a natural, Kiddo.
Jordyn Collier said on February 25, 2021
I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasnt dreaming when I got it done. In all honesty though, this model was the test bed for some stuff.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
John Krukowski said on February 25, 2021
I'll bet your Mom's happy, that airbrush was money well spent.
Jordyn Collier said on February 25, 2021
Yes, she is. I kept showing her my progress with it, and she was sort of fan-girling over it a few times. She said that she was absolutely happy with the decision, and was happy I could now do more with my favorite hobby.
Jordyn Collier said on February 25, 2021
I feel extremely happy with myself. I'm just... I dont know. I feel like I've actually accomplished some major progress with this one. Of course, I'll always be open to improvements, and maybe you're right about being young helping lol. And night and day is 100% what I'd agree with. I take no offense to what you said at the end there. Thanks for replying.
John Krukowski said on February 25, 2021
Good, it was meant in the best way possible.
Congratulations.
Bob Bailey said on February 25, 2021
Super-dooper on a great AM kit. All good.
How much do we miss those very fine Accurate Miniature kits?
Jordyn Collier said on February 25, 2021
This is the first I've built, but I miss them posthumously lol.
Tom Cleaver said on February 25, 2021
Wait till you try the SBD - fortunately, Italerei has released both the SBD and the other TBF
Andrew H said on February 26, 2021
Academy also offers their SBD in numerous boxings, fwiw.
John vd Biggelaar said on February 25, 2021
An absolute winner, Jordyn. @1corsair64
Wondering why I can not achieve this quality with airbrush myself.
Really great weathering.
Which airbrush did you get from your mom?
Jordyn Collier said on February 25, 2021
It wasnt too hard to do what I did with this. I guess I've just seen so many videos on YouTube, watching people like Plasmo, The Model Guy, and Nighshift, that the skills kind if developed without the tools. Not sure.
Anyway, heres the air brush-
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
John Krukowski said on February 26, 2021
Skills you kinda developed without the tools, that's what I meant about being young, I could watch those videos all day and it would go into one old ear and out the other. I'm really impressed with you, can you tell? I'm in awe, you give me hope for the future. The hobby is alive and well, and it's in good hands.
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
I can absolutely tell. I'm glad I could show you the hobby is still going. It's nice to be able to make someone happy sometimes.
John Krukowski said on February 26, 2021
Handpainted canopy frames? You just made me even happier. I've never masked a canopy in my life. That sounds too much like work!
Pedro L. Rocha said on February 25, 2021
Hard to believe how fast you have improved your modelling skills Jordyn. Well done indeed, this is a fantastic Avenger, I like the paint and weathering very much indeed. Thumbs up!
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
It just switched once I got the airbrush. Not necessarily fast improvement, just putting into action hours of videos I've seen, and utilizing that resource. But I agree, it was fast! Thank you!
Amari Luu said on February 25, 2021
Looks great. Love the paint scheme and weathering.
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Thanks, Amari!
Tom Cleaver said on February 25, 2021
Without a doubt, @1corsair64, this is your best work to date. Most people don't come close to what you did here the first time out with an airbrush (I include myself high on that list). The work on masking the Avenger turret is a huge PITA and you've done it perfectly (hopefully with pre-cut masks so you didn't drive yourself to premature drinking).
"Liked" (a lot!)
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Pre cut masks? Nah. I'm a rebell, and painted them by hand! What was a PITA, though, was getting the turret IN the plane when the fuselage was closed up. Thank you for your kind words, Tom. Glad you liked it!
Andrew H said on February 25, 2021
Kudos Jordyn, this is excellent work. Great job with persisting even after the oil wash darkening. Keep in mind with oil washes over acrylic, that generally a matte surface is courser, and will "retain" the oil more.. a durable gloss finish before oil wash will help to keep the varnish from adopting the oil color. You can work this to your advantage (a grimy job), but I most of all like how you adapted the post shading to it. It gives a very complex and satisfying finish. I do this often, so I can share the sentiment.
Superb work!
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Ah, I see what I did wrong with the varnish. Alright, gotta get ahold of some gloss. It was spur of the moment with the post shading, as I was initially happy with it when I had just done the one wing as seen here, but once I got to the underbelly, I knew I'd have to do SOMETHING. Thank you so much for commenting!
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Andrew H said on February 27, 2021
Jordyn, @1corsair64, I wouldn't say you were wrong, as there is purpose for both techniques.. This is a pretty good pictorial showing the effects and how you might want to wash over matte or gloss given the subject matter: http://www.leagueofpainters.com/?p=929
Also remember that if you are using oil washes with artist oils, there is an vast supply of different colors (more than black and umber) if you ever want to get really bold with oil washing over matte! 😉
John Healy said on February 25, 2021
That’s really outstanding, Jordyn. Keep up the good work.
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Thank you very much, John. You may see posts from me several times a month if I get going the way I want.
Tom Bebout said on February 25, 2021
Great job on this one Jordyn, as that old commercial stated, You've come a long way baby. Nicely done.
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Thank you very much, Tom! Glad to see you!
Robert Royes said on February 25, 2021
What they said. Fantastic job !
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
I guess people liked it then. Thank you, Robert. I appreciate you stopping by.
Anthony Conway said on February 25, 2021
Very nice job especially for a first . Well done.
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Thank you so much Anthony!
Haslam Yeoman said on February 26, 2021
You should be really proud of this build and paintwork.
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Thanks, Haslam. I I definately am.
dale travis said on February 26, 2021
Fine work !
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Thanks Dale!
DE4EVER said on February 26, 2021
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
This is one of my favorite aircraft of WW2, and you made it proud.
Very glad to see this one and to contemplate it and your good work.
Thank you for sharing these images Jordyn, nice show.
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
No, thank you for stopping by and looking! I'm glad I could share it.
Spiros Pendedekas said on February 26, 2021
This is an amazing result, my friend @1corsair64!
You've mastered the airbrush from your first attempt: painting and postshading! Great!
But, also, the rest of your build is superb.
This is a great Avenger!
Congratulations!
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Not quite mastered. Still gotta learn pre-shading and such, but I feel great about what I managed. You're a good dude, Spiros. Thanks for reading!
George Williams said on February 26, 2021
Fabulous work, Jordyn, I love it, definitely liked.
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
Thank you very much, George.
Louis Gardner said on February 26, 2021
Jordyn, @1corsair64
You have come a long way since your first postings here on Imodeler. Your mom picked out the best Christmas gift for you. The Avenger you posted here looks very good. I would say that for your first time using the air brush, you seem to have mastered it already.
I like everything about this build. I never built anything that looked this good when I was your age. Keep it up my friend !
I also pressed the liked button.
Jordyn Collier said on February 26, 2021
I owe a lot of thanks to the people on this site. You have ALL been major factors in what has kept me sane and going these last few years. I'm glad I could finally produce something good enough to say thank you all. And I dont feel it's about age, just what you've seen. I know 40 year olds who have never left Arizona (except for Cali), but I've been everywhere from Europe to Hawaii. I just got exposed to YouTube young, and those numerous build videos taught me quite alot. Thanks for stopping by, Louis!
David Mills said on February 26, 2021
You can take great credit from this one Jordyn - super work!
I also like the look of that Macchi - I have a feeling it could come out very well.
It doesn't matter how old you are I find you learn something new with every kit that you do.
Looking forward to the next one Jordyn.
Best wishes
Dan Lee said on February 26, 2021
I wish I had your skills when I was your age. I still hadn't mastered measure twice/cut once.
Congrats on an excellent build,