TBD-1 Devastator In 48th scale by Monogram
The Douglas TBD Devastator was the most advanced aircraft flying for the US Navy, being the first all-metal monoplane when it entered service in 1937. However, by the time of the US entry into World War 2, it was already outdated.
The Devastator performed well early in the war, most notably in the Battle of the Coral Sea, but earned infamy for a catastrophic performance during the Battle of Midway in which 41 Devastators recorded zero torpedo hits with only six surviving to return to their carriers. [To be fair to the crews, the torpedoes were ineffective weapons.]
1974 was the year the kit was first released. This version was released under the Monogram Classics label in the 1990s and appears to be faithful to the original boxing with sprues unbagged, old style decals, and tri-fold instruction sheet. Panel lines are raised and the corrugations are essentially a series of raise lines.
Options are for the bomber or torpedo version of the aircraft, posable flaps, foldable wings, open or closed greenhouse canopy, and a standing pilot figure plus two flight deck crew, one of whom can be posed turning the starter crank for the engine.
The total parts count, including the clear parts is 81. Color call-outs refer to Federal Standard numbers.
After market decals from TechMod and Yellow Wings were used. TechMod includes masks, some of which are less helpful than others and the Yellow Wings decals performed better.
Some aspects of this kit still hold up to today's standards, particularly the main fuselage, (excluding the raised panel lines) cockpit, and tail. The wings and their fit to the fuselage are another matter. The landing gear and torpedo detail are soft, but presentable. I have not seen the Hobby Boss 48th scale kit, or the Trumpeter 32nd kit, nor a completed model of either, but I have to believe that they superior to this kit.
Lovely job John. Those colours really pop.
Thanks. The blue chevron is decal and the blue on the cowl is airbrushed acrylic. The rest is rattle can enamel.
Monogram kits can require some modeling skill, elbow grease, and perseverance. Given the models age and pedigree the wings look respectable. The yellow paint turned out great and the red tail is solid too. John (@jsummerford) you have brought out the best in this not so easy to build kit. Two thumbs up.
Thanks. I used the Krylon fusion line of metallic Aluminum As a primer. I found it too grainy , so I overcoated the fuselage with Alclad II Aluminum. I also have a can of Krylon ColorMaxx left over from a household project and used that for the tail and torpedo. The yellow is from Rust-Oleum's (who bought Testors) Ultra Cover Marigold. All three are thick and toned down the raised lines.
Beautiful. Love yellow wings
Thanks. I experimented with a 12 ounce can of Rust-Oleum Marigold and I think it looks like the Cadmium Yellow of old.
Excellent Devastator from the challenging Monogram kit, John!
Once again, Thanks
Nice work. That’s still one of my favorite kits.
Thanks John. I didn't expect to do as much work on the build as I did. It's not one of Monogram's best,
Superb work on this Devastator, John @jsummerford
Very nice scheme.
Thanks. Building the fuselage and even masking the canopy was pleasurable, but the wings and mating them to the fuselage was a challenge and took up about half the build time.
Well done, John (@jsummerford). I love the old Monogram kit, and you have really brought out the best.
Thanks George. I wonder why I haven't seen more builds of the Hobby Boss and Trumpeter kits.
An "oldie-moldy" turned into a gem...you did a great job on this old kit. No digital manufacturing or computers back when this one was made, which makes your model that much more special.
Congratulations on a fine build.
Thanks Marvin. I appreciate your understanding of challenges of this build.
Let me add to the accolades. Outstanding work on this truly classic kit, especially your superbly done paint job. I have two Monogram TBDs on my shelf right now, and another in the stash. Pretty amazing that Monogram turned out a kit in 1974 that can still hold its' own today.
Thanks Drew. Yellow Wings does a great job explaining the Navy's color coding scheme and It gives the modeler many options to produce a particular aircraft. This appeared in the movie "Dive Bomber".
Nice! What they said. Great job.
Thanks Robert. I appreciate your seconding the comments.
Excellent result!
Thanks for the appreciation Rob. I think I hit a nerve with modelers familiar with this kit and/or fans of inter-war aviation.
Great job on that classic plastic, the old Mono still holds up well. Built the 1/32 Trumpy it's on here. Have the GWH but never built it, you see more Monograms than GWH's. Go figure.
Thanks Bill. I imagine that in 32nd scale, its a large model I have found Trumpeter to be hit or miss. What is you opinion of the kit?
Very nice! Those pre-war schemes really make the model shelf pop.
Thanks. I like doing pre-war subjects.
Great yellow wings John!
Thank you David. It's hard to not like the inter-war year subjects. I'm pleased that the rattle-can paint worked so well.
A very nice Devastator, John!
Really love the scheme, a real eye catcher.
Thanks Alfred. Yellow wing subjects look very nice on the shelf. I'm glad you like it.