Grumman TBM-3S2 Avenger (Dutch Navy)
Left: AMT Tigercat, correct spinner, wrong angle of the blades. Right: kit, correct spinner, small blades correct only for an TBF. Middle: obscureco. Spinner&blades Ok.
Verlindens R-2600. Molded on pushrods replaced with 0,5 mm rod. 0,2 mm holes for attachment of the ignition wires are well visible. Any of the ignition wires already in place.
Finished R-2600 minus "Ölsumpf" on the lower side. Verlinden designed it a bit to large...
Ignition wires made of 0,32 mm soldering wire. Intake pipes made of 0,5 mm soldering wire.
Holes in the "sheets" punched with flatened 0,7 mm needle.
WRONG PATTERN OF THE HOLES grrrrrrrr(:
Corrected pattern of the holes: 1, 6, 3 & 1
TBM-3E and TBM-3S had a slightly different arrangement of the lower cowl flap.
On the top of the cowling: air duct to the carburetor. At the bottom: air duct to the oil cooler. Both were made of ureol.
It was quite a tussle to get the too large engine in the cowling.
I intend to left one panel oped to show the engine.
…6 years later: cowl flaps. Details & rivets coming soon.
It’s very interesting: the are two different versions of the trailing edge of the greenhouse canopy used in dash 3S. This is the version used by the RDN, JMSDF and RN (Royal Navy). Next picture shows the other version used only by the RCN.
Picture mirrored for nether comparison with pic 32.
Eduards etched parts are not bad but only 2D... and so I decided to scratch the rudder pedals.
As usual I intend to install Anyz knobs and switches (silver wire) after painting and installing Eduard’s etched parts.
Cockpit side walls corrected. Kits side consoles divided in sole parts combined with scratch build details used on late TBM-3.
Armrest support replaced with 0,6 mm wire.
Radio boxes, 1st step: attaching of pre drilled etched parts on matched plastic pieces for the 3rd dimension.
Radio boxes, 2nd step: knobs and switches in place.
Today I received decals for a Dutch version that you normally not get (thank you Erik!!)
BTW: this is the reason why I love Scalemates! Tim: thank you for creating this website🙂🙂🙂
BTW: this is the reason why I love Scalemates! Tim: thank you for creating this website🙂🙂🙂
“How much inside of the cockpit you can see after completing the fuselage?”: is here the question.🙂
I suppose the most of the cables will be not visible..,
Loops of 0,15 mm wire installed “through” the fuselage side.
The same situation 2 minutes later.
On several pictures it’s clearly visible that the middle seat was occupied. In correspondence with the plane’s destination it was probably the weapon / radio operator. Despite intensive research I found no information about the layout of the second cockpit. In such a case improvisation helps.
Center and left console will be detailed.
Two of seven black boxes in place.
Working stations of the pilot & WSO completed.
3rd station.
This time I used in addition to the knobs decals for knob-scales (Anyz).
Unfortunately there are no information in the net about the installation of the 3rd seat. Very likely the seat was rotatable.
Because a TBM-3S has no turret the lack of ribs and stringers will be visible. Yesterday I’ve forgotten this an had to airbrush the IG second time.
TBM-3S had no dorsal gun. MDC set consists a resin part as replacement for the clear part. The fit is average.
Triangle shaped windows were closed with sheet.
Preparing of the wings. Step 1: trailing edges thinned down with 180 grit sandpaper.
Step 2: before separating the ailerons and especially the flaps it’s very important to measure the thickness of the wings.
Step 3: after separating flaps and ailerons the “hollow” between the upper and lower side filled with plastic “wedges”.
Step 4: detailing the inner side of the wings.
Fortunately I can use my own research (first Avenger project 1997, build for the german modeling magazine ModellFan)
Step 4 completed.
Step 5 completed: ailerons with aerodynamic compensation. 0,56 mm wire twisted around a square rod (3 mm). On end flattened.
The kit offers HVAR’s with large fins and Mark 5 mounting sockets but installation points unter the wings for old Mark 4 rails (the two outer marked with red arrow). All later TBM’s especially TBM-3s were equipped with Mark 5 sockets and HVAR’s with smaller fins. Because of that I corrected this by using 0,13 mm thin plastic.
It’s easier to make the reinforcement-box from a solid piece of plastic. Because of that I made the lightening holes a bit larger on underside („mit einem Senker angesenkt“).
About 120 parts later than last (91) picture; flaps completed.
APS-4 radar pod.
It was a „hard work“ to determine the correct pylon position. 🙂
Research about details under the right wing.
A question to all Avenger experts: can someone tell me the function of these 3 antennae?
Many years ago I build Avengers “son”, the AF Guardian in 1:72 long before the first “right” kit was released. The (vacuum formed) parts for the search light remaind in the spare box. I’m very stunned that the part has the correct size for my current Avenger project.
Ready for “vacumtoastering”🙂
Search light completed (minus painting interior and bulb).
Green: corrected/workable front attachment point.
Cowling & forward fuselage: take you time so no putty is needed.
New research results; they were 4 attachment points (rollers) for the 3.rd seat.
Fuselage windows plus an extra „device” (??) in place.
Extra “device” on left side. I noticed that the position of this device (??) differs with the planes.
In this case bare metal foil is the best choice for masking the oval windows.
Windscreen in place.
Recognition light: red, green, amber (fw, middle, aft).
The last great hurdle is taken: vacuum formed greenhouse is in place without mess. 🙂
I have just successfully completed the most important task of the entire project; installing the distinctive (vacuum formed) greenhouse canopy. At the front there is a segment which I sawed off the long kit part. Unlike the standard Avenger, this element was in the original made of solid sheet metal.
Position lights removed, will be replaced with a clear blue parts.
New research results: the „device“ (antenna) on the left side is not square but oval. On the upper side they are a inlet.
New research results about position and size of the outlet on the right side.
Externaly installed arresting hook.
Today morning I removed the masks and had watch very curious for the result
Front instrument panel lights. For better handling/ installing on the lower inner side of the windscreen I combined the lights with the interior structure.
Right light in place.
Left light in place.
Right: original roundel has bin desintagrated…🙁. Fortunately I found in the spare box a sheet from a CA kit for a Dutch Gloster Meteor. A bit to large but by using a circle cutter I could do it smaller. 🙂
„Self smaller made“ roundel has worked and looking good. The orange is a little bit less intensive and the blue a bit more purple but sh… happens! On course again. 🙂.
Left: Nixvielgut white!🙁
On course again: the same “white” on both upper wings. Blue formation lights (clear resin ) in place.
Cowl flaps and exhaust tubes in place.
The first batch of detailing: correct attachment of the door on leg, moulded in wiring removed .
Wiring completed: 3 x hydraulic line for the retraction piston & brake and 1 x electric cable to the locking solenoid/switch (installed on retracting strut, not in picture).
Both catapult hooks and tie down ring replaced with wire.
Great curiosity: in the box I found only one retraction strut, datailed and painted. The other one was missing. Because of they I had to scratch the part.
Unusual color for prop blades: gray with a touch metallic. Spinner in turquoise/ green.
Completed minus any accents in alu and dark grey.
I have been waiting for this moment for several months: several hundred parts finally look like an airplane.🙂
As usual I used two pieces of wire (0,2 mm) to attach the sliding canopy parts to the fuselage without glue. Both holes are made „through“ recessed panel lines and are practically invisible.
Коментарі
112 30 January 2017, 20:12
Holger KranichHier gibt es wieder etwas schönes neues zu gucken! Der Anfang sieht ja schon mal hervorragend aus!
2 February 2017, 15:52
Bernhard SchrockDanke Holger. Meine letzte Avenger ist schon 13!!!! Jahre her! Unglaublich!
At the weekend I spent any hours in the cowling and engine. It was quite a tussle to get the to large engine in the cowling... But it's fit. I intend to left one panel open to show the engine.
5 February 2017, 20:38
JensMoin Bernhard 🙂 noch ein Leckerchen , den AM Kit habe ich auch noch im Lager, ich wollte die zum Feuerbomber umrüsten, oder wie Du als Drohenleitversion, natürlich wird das deutlich bescheidener ausfallen als bei Euch, aber ich bleibe als Zuschauer dem BB treu, was man bei Dir an Ideen und Vorschlägen gezeigt bekommt, ist immer wieder eine Modellbauschule der Extraklasse 👍 mal ein Danke dafür 👍 👍 👍
11 August 2017, 06:15
Bernhard SchrockThank you John: the pins are parts from a „connection block„ for a external memory module which I removed from a pc - motherboard.
29 June 2021, 17:07
Bernhard SchrockOriginally I intended to build a TBM-3S in US Navy markings. But a current SCM - build of an Dutch TBM-3W made me decide to build a Dutch Navy machine in grey and sky.
30 March 2023, 18:42
Bernhard SchrockJep...🙂
Erik has inspired me with his project.
Grumman TBM3W Avenger MLD (Dutch fleet air arm) | Album by Tug Benson (1:48)
But also a bit of my TBF-1... And your visit Monday. It's unbelievable that my TBF-1 Avenger is 25 years old... It's great that the engine is still running...
modellversium.de/gal..id=362&origin=mb
It's unbelievable to that the TBM-3s paused nearly 6 years...
31 March 2023, 10:19
Hanno Kleinecke6 years !? I did'nt realize that my target tug
Is that old already. So this ancient mini groupbuild
will finally get its second half, checkin' in !
31 March 2023, 13:54
Spanjaardthat is a beautiful engine if i have seen one. wonderful. i am certainly in 🙂
31 March 2023, 14:37
Bernhard SchrockThank you mates.🙂
Unlike a TBM-3/-3E, all three crew members were housed under the greenhouse canopy. Very likely the middle man was responsible for the weapons and optionally the radio. The third man operated the radio and communication with the „Warner" and assumed the role of observer, not least thanks to the rotatable seat (installed instead of the turret). Because of that I had to prepare a lot of radioboxes and switching panels for the 2nd and 3rd seat.
8 April 2023, 12:27
Bernhard SchrockSpanjaard: I used Anyz models knobs. Sets no. 033, 034, 035, 036. Dials & Knobs 2 for 1/48 (200 pcs) (ANYZ AN033, 1:48)
9 April 2023, 08:10
Erik LeijdensAmazing work on the IP Berhard! Thise knobs are a great addition. Never thought of that actually..
12 April 2023, 05:49
Dennis WallentinWow! Amazing work by all means. How did you manage to get the instrument panel so detailed?
12 April 2023, 15:36
Bernhard SchrockHi mates. Thank you for the great feedback. It's a very great pleasure to work with the knobs of Anyz models.
Dennis: fortunately I've good eyes. I think the next most important ingredient is patience. 🙂 further I used the excellent instrument bezels (decals) of Anyz models.
12 April 2023, 18:25
Dennis WallentinAgreed, patience is the key here. But with less good eyes and with a shaky hand it's very hard to get it right. Many thanks for the top of Anyz!
13 April 2023, 19:19
Patrick HagelsteinI can totally agree with the caption on picture 52! Thanks Mates and thanks Tim! 👍🏼
13 April 2023, 22:14
Bernhard SchrockOn several pictures it's clearly visible that the middle seat was occupied. In correspondence with the plane's destination it was probably the weapon / radio operator. Despite intensive research I found no information about the layout of the second cockpit. In such a case improvisation helps.
15 April 2023, 15:34
Slavo HazuchaFascinating work on the cockpit - if there is little known refference on the mid-seat config, then I suggest this can be taken as one for the future! Can hardly get more realistic than here... 😉👍🏻
16 April 2023, 19:35
Erik LeijdensFabulous work on the interior Bernhard! Indeed there isn't much you can find on the internet on these 50's sub-killers, I guess they were top secret at the time so pictures were forbidden.
17 April 2023, 20:21
Slavo HazuchaJust great to watch the 'proper, well researched and clean' approach to a naval prop here - so different from my current 'glue something together, spray & pray and glaze in oil' way on the current quick-builds 🙂
Looks all rather fabulous, keep them details coming!!
22 April 2023, 17:22
Hanno KleineckeGotta love that seat with its rotation rails ! Radar and radios look very realistic, the Anyz stuff is a great improvement. 👍
23 April 2023, 17:37
JohnExcellent progress, it's easy to forget that we are looking at 1/48 scale craftsmanship. Very well done.
23 April 2023, 17:44
Dennis WallentinIt's such a joy to follow this built! So after receiving the adds-on I am now ready to follow your steps by building the same model. But I have no dreams to achieve the result as you but I will give it a go! Thank you!
29 April 2023, 19:19
Juergen Klinglhuber👀 - man kommt aus dem Stauen nicht raus
THX- it is great to watch your skillful work!
14 May 2023, 10:50
Slavo HazuchaThis is just fabulous work - would be worth leaving (or at least photographing) completely unpainted to see how little (and trivial in comparison) original model there is left 😉
15 May 2023, 05:36
Patrick HagelsteinDas mit den versenkten Löcher ist halt genial! Super Idee Bernhard! 👌🏼
15 May 2023, 07:24
Michael KohlThis build definitely lives up to my (high) expectations. A joy to follow.
15 May 2023, 08:50
VincentThis build is looking really good. Amazing detail. Looking forward to see where this is going.
15 May 2023, 12:00
Bernhard SchrockI would like to say thank you and I have a question to all Avenger experts: can someone tell me the function of these 3 antennae in picture 102.
16 May 2023, 17:00
Erik LeijdensFantastic work on that searchlight Bernhard!! The antenna is most probably a datalink receiver to obtain radar inputs from the TBM-3W2. The operated in pairs off course.
18 May 2023, 14:02
Bernhard SchrockErik: thx for the info. This is very plausible.
I just finished the search light. Here I have new research results. The front attachment point must be further back otherwise the light would be in the way of the landing gear door.
18 May 2023, 16:06
Bruce HuxtableYour impressive creative scratch-building always make me smile - always so 'perfect' and never a clumsy approximation. Inspirational, as always, Bernhard.
18 May 2023, 16:41
Hanno KleineckeWithout any doubt, this thing is fully operational ! like Bruce put it: iInspirational !
19 May 2023, 06:17
Bernhard SchrockNew research results; they were 4 attachment points (rollers) for the 3.rd seat.
21 May 2023, 13:24
Jennifer FranklinThis is unbelievable, the attention to detail is, without exception, there at every turn. This is going to be so beautiful.
27 May 2023, 02:29
Bernhard SchrockI have just successfully completed the most important task of the entire project; installing the distinctive (vacuum formed) greenhouse canopy. At the front there is a segment which I sawed off the long kit part. Unlike the standard Avenger, this element was in the original made of solid sheet metal.
27 May 2023, 14:00
Slavo HazuchaJust following this great line-up of scratch-work precision - I wish I had the patience for something like this - but then again I do not, for if I had, I would be confronted with the sheer lack of skill & competence to do anything like the work presented here 🙂
Good job and definitely goes in the direction of those projects where you find it a pity it all has to get painted over in the end! 👍
30 May 2023, 07:58
Bernhard SchrockI was delighted to hear your comments. It is the best motivation you can imagine.
Yesterday I did some experiments with the Seegrau for the top. With no combination/mixture I was really satisfied and decided for a mix of 164 and 124. today in the lunch break I managed to airbrush the top of the fuselage and I'm quite happy.
1 June 2023, 15:56
Erik LeijdensFantastic looking colours Bernhard. I'm also impressed with the clarity of the canopy, in fact I'm impressed with all of your work 😉. If my Warner comes out half as good i'm very pleased.
6 June 2023, 06:16
Hanno KleineckeDecal -disaster ! Too old ? Watcha gonna do now, chance for replacement ?
7 June 2023, 10:52
Erik LeijdensIf you want I have spare roundles for you, from a sheet which is definitely good
7 June 2023, 13:09
Bernhard SchrockHi Erik. Thank you for the suggestion. Very attentive. 🙂 I made the roundels of the meteor smaller and solved the problem. Today I will repair the red and blue. After that, I take pictures.
7 June 2023, 16:54
David R. MeizosoTop building and masking skills, but this is the house's signature. What a cockpit, mate!
7 June 2023, 17:28
Bernhard SchrockThx David!🙂
Today I intended to fix the worst white on the left upper wing. The masking and airbrushing of the 1/3 circle worked well, but….. despite of using the very low tack masking foil I ripped during removing nearly 1/3 of the roundel (grrrrr). So I had no other choice but to rip off the rest of the roundel. Then I did the same thing as for the right side using the circle cutter. Now I have two roundels with the same white. 🙂
8 June 2023, 14:02
JensHello Bernhard, it's always a miracle what you conjure up from the series models 👍 I'm permanently speechless 🙂
But I would also have a tip for the master for masking the decals 🙂 I always use the carrier film of the used decals for such places and then fix it outside of possibly critical areas with Tamiya tape. the Fw 189 on skis was the lesson, the GWH decals came off by themselves without adhesive
8 June 2023, 16:10
Bernhard SchrockJens, thank you for the hint. It's great the things you find out here. I will try it.🙂
8 June 2023, 18:25
Erik LeijdensGreat save on those decals Bernhard, no issues with the black letter decals? Your decals are from the same sheet as mine which I will use for the Warner so I can be prepared 😉
9 June 2023, 07:36
Jan PetersStill lurking along in respectful silence Bernhard.
Stunning work all'round 👍🏻
11 June 2023, 06:30
Hanno KleineckeDem Ingeniör is nix zu schwör ! 😄
Indistinguishable from the original part, this is scratchbuilding par excellence !
13 June 2023, 19:58
Bernhard Schrock🙂. I have been waiting for this moment for several months: several hundred parts finally look like an airplane.
15 June 2023, 17:16
Erik LeijdensI'm getting emotional already now it's nearing the finish! Looks extremely good.
15 June 2023, 21:14
Patrick HagelsteinEvery picture is stunning and seeing this masterpiece come into existence is a pleasure to watch. 👍
16 June 2023, 06:56
Hanno KleineckePerfectly crafted surfaces and just the right amount of subtle weathering, together with an excellently executed build !
Not your everyday Avenger in that unique livery and with these expert alterations .
Exemplary as alway ! 👍
19 June 2023, 15:32
Bernhard SchrockDear Mates, I was delighted with your comments. A very nice completion of a long model building project. 🙂
20 June 2023, 11:21
Erik LeijdensThe end result is as impressive as was the whole build. Clear presentation of your skills and knowledge. I'll take my hat of for you!!
24 June 2023, 09:57
Bernhard SchrockThank you Erik. Without your help, many questions would have been left open and the model would be less accurate. 🙂
25 June 2023, 19:53
Mr JamesI was right... It did turn out to be a stunner. A beautiful build and expertly presented.
25 June 2023, 20:24
Dennis WallentinAmazing! The level of your work is on a museum level. My only wish is that you write a book about the build process itself so we mortals can improve our modelling skill. Thank you for taking your time to document it and the outcome is superb.
3 August 2023, 12:56
Spanjaardthanks for taking the time to document this and all your builds Bernhard, a true pleasure to see them. i hope to see this in person 🙂
3 August 2023, 13:09
Bernhard SchrockI am honored by your comments. Thank you.🙂
Spanjaard: 2024 I will visit the EME silver edition and the Avenger will be on board. 🙂
3 August 2023, 14:53
Trez MackenziePic 132; what a beautiful woman - sigh! Those were the days when women were born women. Awesome build and great photos. A very impressive and inspirational journey!
Stunning build. You turned that shelve Queen into a bench king!
30 April, 14:23
