TBD-1 Devastator Monogram 1/48 and Tamiya figures "WW2 pilots with moto-tug" 1/48
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Hello friends,
here comes my TBD-1 Douglas Devastator from Monogram in 1/48. The kit was released in 1974 and cannot live up to the high standard of the Great Wall Hobby kit. I also would like to point out that there are better built models of the TBD-1 in this scale. But those who know my rollouts know that I especially enjoy staging my models with background and figures etc.
I have built the TBD-1 about 4 years ago and always intended to release it only when I had the matching figures from Tamiya. With a “random” Aircraft Carrier Island and a sky backdrop in addition the scene have been completed.
The carrier deck is from Eduard.
Since the model was built a few years ago, I forgot which aircraft carrier this Devastator belonged to. I'm guessing it belonged to the Enterprise and I just forgot the white stripe on the tail (a shame).
You can see a 2nd Devastator on one of the pictures, it is the 1/72 scale Airfix kit. The Carrier Island is made from cardboard and painted by brush with acrylic colors. For the kit I have used AK-real colors.
On some pictures you can see that one steel strap, that holds the Torpedo, is loose…! ; )
Hope you like it and thanks for passing by.
ps. I finaly find the reference for this particular plane. The profile can be found in Valiant "The Battle of Midway, Airframe Extra No 10" On page 35 is a profile with the BuNo 0289 "black 1" that belongs to Lt. Cdr. E.E. Lindsey, with ACMR Grenat from Torpedo Squadron Six abboard USS Enterprise (CV-6)
The whole diorama is very cool. Your photos are top notch and the figures turned out great. Thanks for sharing.
outstanding! I'll hit the star on my way out.
Your diorama is simply wonderful, Andreas!
Two thumbs up!
I’m a huge fan of that kit, Andreas. You definitely got the most out of it!
Great work Andreas.
Beautifully staged!
Thank you Gentlemen, happy that you like it!
I guess some folks have to get down and pray to greatness of the Great Wall kits. But, the old Monogram
TBD-1 Devastator allows a modeler to practice one's craft in painting and construction. Modeling skill is required along with thought ,elbow grease, patience and a eye for color and light and dark shadowing.
Love the photos and the figures. The forced perspective with the lighting really works in presenting the models and figures. " Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue." It all works Andreas.
Two thumbs up.
Thank you for your comment Stephen. I have the GWH Devastator also in my shelf, but allways like to practice on older kits esp. the paint job. Happy that you like it.
Really beautiful job on the Devastator and great job on the figures, the photographs bring it all together.
What a wonderful result, Andreas @fletcher
This amazing build in combination with your pictures make this look like a real situation.
Your photo skills are outstanding! Very cool pictures!
Thank you all, allways a pleasure for me and happy that you like it.
Looks incredible!
Thank you!
Wow, Andeas, that's a real-to-life scene! The old kit has its limitations, but you've gone beyond the ordinary and give the plastic and cardboard life. Great work, great design, and great results!
Thank you, Christopher!
Absolutely spectacular all the way around, Andeas! You made that crotchety old kit come alive!
Thank you very much Eric!
Beautiful work and you certainly created a model from the old Monogram kit that can stand up to the Great Wall result.
That's probably a Yorktown TBD. Enterprise SBDs and F4Fs had their numbers ahead of the insignia, so I would bet the TBD did, too. They also had the "designator" letter (F, B, S, T, etc)
Thank you very much Tom, happy that you like it!
I finaly find the reference for this particular plane. The profile can be found in Valiant "The Battle of Midway, Airframe Extra No 10" On page 35 is a profile with the BuNo 0289 "black 1" that belongs to Lt. Cdr. E.E. Lindsey, with ACMR Grenat from Torpedo Squadron Six abboard USS Enterprise (CV 6). The same BuNo and markings can be found on my plane. The white stripe on the stabilizer are not present on the profile.
Most impressive! Thanks for sharing!
Yes! Beautiful work! Could be in a museum.
Excellent build and photography!
That is simply unbelievable! I am deeply impressed by your art!
Thank you Gentlemen, always a pleasure for me.
I can’t comment on the Monogram kit’s qualities but it looks great from here, as does the rest of the scene. It’s brilliantly put together and photographed.
Wonderful job with this old kit Andreas, and the backdrop you built is the icing on the cake. Great pics and your figures are beautifully painted. I've used that set of figures before and they are top notch IMHO. Job well done.
@fletcher, That is mighty impressive modeling Andreas! ? Superb presentation sir! ?
Beautifully done! The model is great, and the background and photography work really shows it off.
Thank you very much Gentlemen. The next USN project is right ahead, so stay tuned!
Andreas can you explain your photography setup? Camera, lighting etc...
Hello Don, sure. Basically this is made with a smartphone and 2 desk lamps. I use a 16:9 ratio and I am not going too close to my models with the camera. Instead of this, I zoom in the scenery and try to get the most relevant details as sharp as I can. The most important thing is to go down in an angle that looks like the models are real. As you can see I have not an expensive or professionell equipment, its just practice.
Beautiful, love everything about this: Planes, figures and Island!
Thank you Michel!
Fantastic job and I love the pics. You've really done a great job on an old kit. I almost feel like I'm there. 🙂
Thank you very much Paul, my next project will come soon...
Outstanding job ! A fantastic diorama giving acclaim to the sacrifices that these men made to help insure victory at Midway. The details that you have included really show these men in the hours before their destiny.
For a great read on this, see " A Dawn Like Thunder - the true story of Torpedo Squadron 8 " by Robert J. Mrazek (2008). It is an excellent tribute to the sacrifices that these young men made for their Navy and their country.
Thank you John!