1/72 TBM-1.
The U-boat war continues in 1/72. I picked up this Hasegawa kit for $6 at a show last year and just got around to building it. I figured my Airfix Wildcat needed a partner. This is actually the second Atlantic TBM that I've ever built. The first was an Accurate Miniatures 1/48 that was crushed in a move in 2001.
The model represents a VC-42 TBM-1 aboard USS Bogue in 1944. I pretty much built this from the box with the exception of using modified Airfix Typhoon rocket rails. These items are decent matches for the Mk.4 rails that Atlantic TBM-1s used. The kit comes with rockets mounted on the later zero length stubs associated with the TBM-3.
I painted the model with Tamiya lacquer white and Humbrol enamels for everything else. The Dark Gull Gray topsides is Humbrol #140. I used insignia from the decal dungeon as the Hasegawa stars were pretty yellow. All of the other decals are from the kit. Overall a pleasant building experience.
Great looking Avenger, John (@j-healy), although I cringe thinking about masking all of that glass in this scale. the Atlantic Scheme is my favorite for a TBM. Well done.
Thanks, George! I used an Eduard mask on this one. I couldn’t imagine masking that turret without some help today.
Very nice work, John.
Thanks, John.
Awesome job and super result, John!
Thanks, Spiros!
Very nice result, John @j-healy
Some much building pleasure for just $6
Thanks, John. I’m starting to enjoy building these older kits.
Gorgeous paintjob, George @j-healy! Really like the subtle weathering. Especially lovely around the spinner! And the canopy is really delicate, how did you pull that one off? Some Humbrol colors are really nice.
Thanks, Felix. Eduard mask set for the win!
Excellent work John.
Thanks, Rafi!
Excellent work John! Coincidentally, I grabbed this kit to build and display alongside my 1/72 Gato class submarine, to better convey size. Your display with the Uboot and ASW aircraft looks excellent, especially now with the TBM added.
Thanks, Andrew! It’s a great kit, enjoy your build.
Looks great! The Avenger wears the Atlantic scheme well. Well done.
Thanks, Greg!
Good looking build John. I started this hobby only doing 1/72 and around 1978 I changed to 1/48. I have about 15 1/72 kits in storage and your build is inspiring me to do a 72nd again.
Thanks, Dale. I started modeling in 1969 and started doing only 1/48 in 1992. I bought an Airfix Whitley in 2015 and took another look at 1/72. The newer kits are amazing and some of these older ones like this are no slouches either. They don’t take forever to complete and look good on the shelf.
Very neat work on this, John.
Thanks, George!