A.M. TBM-3E CONVERSION TO CANADIAN AS 3
This is the third of three Avenger postings.
After the end of WWII, the Avenger was quickly phased out of its primary role as carrier torpedo/bomber, but it found many secondary jobs. The US Navy converted some to the anti-submarine role, mostly as a stop-gap until newer designs could come on-line.
Canada also needed this type of aircraft. In the period 1950-52, the RCN took delivery of 125 ex-USN TBM-3E. Fairey Aviation of Canada modify ninety-five to be designated A.S. Mk.3. Among the changes were the removal of the ball turret and the station reconfigured for the APS-4 radar operator under an extended canopy. Below him, a third crewman operated the sonobuoy launcher that replace the lower stinger gun. Unlike the WWII TBM-3D that had the radar in a large housing on the front of the wing, the AS3's radar was a much smaller unit that hung under the right wing.
Armament consisted of depth bombs and acoustic homing torpedoes in the bomb bay and Mk.5 air-to-ground rockets under each wing.
This conversion is by Belcher Bits for the 1/48 scale, Accurate Miniature's TBM-3E. It is mostly resin parts to replace the ball turret with the radar operator and includes an extended vac-form canopy. It also has the under-wing radar pod and the sonobouy station parts.
Some cutting is required around the turret area to fit the new canopy section. One of the hardest parts to install was the radar operator's seat. This is suspended in the open turret hole with a series of metal braces. The directions show the diagram of the braces, but it must be scratch-built. I used brass rod that took some trimming and bending to finally make it fit.
I did not have any accurate weapons for the bomb bay so I left it empty. The rockets were standard US unguided type but the launchers were located differently from the US TBM's. A diagram shows the location of the new mounting holes. They are closer to the landing gear and a much tighter grouping than the US.
The conversion come with decals with four different options from 1950 to 1956. I chose the AS3 from 881 Squadron during 1955. The model is painted in the RCN scheme of extra dark sea gray on the upper surfaces and medium sea gray for sides and undersides.
Although I built this a few years ago, a check with Belcher Bits web site shows that it is still available.
Excellent conversion and wonderful model, Chuck!
Thanks, Spiros.
A beautiful conversion, Chuck @charleshorner
Thanks, John
That looks great! Wonder if there is a conversion set for 1/72 - I'd love to have the bird in my collection.
Thanks Greg. I don't think Belcher Bits produces a 1/72 conversion, but maybe someone else does. There are a number of very good 1/72 Avenger kits that it could be applied to.
Great build Chuck and thanks for the pointers as I have this one in the stash as well and am looking forward to building it
Thanks. Another thing I didn't mention was that the conversion canopy is one piece from just behind the pilot to the back of the radar station. I found that using the kit clear parts to just before the radar station and only use the conversion for the rear part made it much easier to fit since I only had to fiddle with the rear part.
Look forward to seeing your build some day.