Hobbyboss 1/48 TBD-1 Devastator.

[spanner570]

I spotted this on offer from a well known online retailer, at about half the usual price. Couldn't refuse!
It also happens to be my favourite aircraft from the WW2 Pacific Theatre.

It looks very nice kit. Let down a bit because it has no crew. However, I have a cunning plan.....
I have a selection of 1/48 U.S. Vietnam era Marines which I will hack about, fill, and end up with the required 3 aircrew. He sez!

I did find a suitable set of 1/48 U.S. Airmen, but I ain't paying the ludicrous asking price, which is a darn sight more than i payed for the kit.

So here is the kit....



I'm not risking taking the sprues out of the packs until I need to, as there is millions of small parts!



A choice of wing configuration and two colour schemes. Got to be the yeller!




There you go.

Cheers.
Ron

[Jim R]

Yer - yeller is pretty, a sod to paint but pretty. Another cunning plan - goody!

!

[Tim Marlow]

Nice choice. Should look good in the pre war yellow scheme Ron. Does the instruction set say which carrier this was for? I can’t see it on the paint sheet.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

At 1/48 that should be a nice build. You have my attention.

[Airborne01]

Do like these beasts - looking on with interest!
Steve

[flyjoe180]

That's going to stand out Ron. Nice choice of aeroplane.

[Richard48]

Nice choice Ron.They werent the best in service by all accounts but did their duty.

[Geoffers]

Nice one Ron, should look very distinctive in that colour scheme ?

Geoff.

[yak face]

Great choice Ron , a fave of mine too . I think it comes from doing the old Airfix 1/72 kit as a kid , I remember loving the yellow wings and the red and white striped rudder . Watching this one , cheers tony

[boatman]

Yes 570 i'll be watchin too as it will be a change to see you build a kit like this an not in a dio
hope you an justin are well Sir
chrisb

[scottie3158]

I will follow along Ron, if I may.

[spanner570]

Thanks for the support chaps. The more the merrier.

Just a quickie.

Here's the three poor saps I'm going to try and turn into U.S. WW2 Pacific era aircrew!



Cheers.
Ron

[spanner570]

Cockpit brush painted with chrome zinc (Humbrol diddy pot No. 90)
Luckily, I have all the colours required in this range.


Here's the first stage of the cockpit construction.








The second stage....












There is P.E. involved. I won't bore you writing which is which.
Suffice to write, the P.E. I did fit only went to remind me just how much I loath and hate the stuff!
Usually, a kit gives you the option - Plastic or P.E. Not so with this model.....P.E. has to be used!



This stage is a model in it's own right! er, LOL.
And I have yet to add the gunner's bit...(Which is fitted later)

All parts a most excellent fit with loads of detail too.

I will add a bit of colour detail to it next.

Cheers.
Ron

[flyjoe180]

A lot going on in that cockpit Ron, it looks like it really didn't need the PE.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Great progress Ron. Lovely brush work.