Trumpeter 1:32 Grumman Avenger TBF-1C

[JR]

Hi Alun.
As Steve, guilty , sorry. Had a read from the beginning, certainly an interesting plane, those folding wings are a marvel of engineering.
Clean build as to be expected.
Like you not used to the forum yet.
John.

[Alun Wells]

Hi John,
welcome along as always, an interesting kit this one, lots of detail. Not sure of the folding wing interpretation, had a look at the plans and parts, holding judgement until l see hardware assembled. Instructions are hard to follow in places, so lots of dry fits. This is my 1st Trumpeter attempt, so new ground.
Cheers
Alun

[Alun Wells]

A quick update:-

Rear turret complete, just assemble the 3 main parts and it is ready for fitting in to fuselage halves.
Arrestor hook to complete before assembling. Looked ahead at wing assembly, a bit scary, but hopefully less scary when I start, but let's get the two body halves together first!
Cheers
Alun

[Alun Wells]

Morning All,
Both halves ready:-

The left hand part has the arrestor hook assembly attached, all details complete, cables highlighted, nearly there.
Cheers
Alun

[Dave Ward]

Alun,
the closing of the fuselage halves is always a nervous time, dry fitting shows all the points of interference! I once did an 1/48 Accurate Miniatures B-25 - with complete interior - at least it started complete! I had to remove loads of bits before I could get a decent joint, the planned open bomb bay had to be closed to hide the empty void!
Good Luck
Dave

[flyjoe180]

Coming along nicely Alun

[Steve Jones]

Nice work Alun. All going in the right direction:thumb2:

[Alun Wells]

Morning All,
A bit more progress, but not quite as planned! My intention was to put all the sub-assemblies into one fuselage half, take a photo and then close up with the other half.
Well did the assembly, tried a dry fit with the other half, all went together nicely, but could not safely separate them without excessive force, so to be safe, I glued them up!!


Also started on the bomb bay doors and the wing hinge mechanism. The doors are PE and plastic together, so shape and angle set by the PE.

Had to put the rudder in the 'halves' assembly, but decided to paint it first. Will paint the body and wings separately as it is a big lump of plastic to manoeuvre.
More soon, thanks for all comments and support.
Cheers
Alun

[Jim R]

Hi Alun
All looking good. The fit of the fuselage halves appears excellent. No wonder it didn't want to come apart and prizing them apart for a photo would have been a very risky and pointless exercise.
Jim

[BarryW]

I fully understand why you decided to cement the two halves together. The fit on this model is suberb but there is little 'tolerance' and having got a good fit. See this thread is giving me a push towards starting my second build of this kit - I might hold off until after doing the I-16 though......

[Alun Wells]

Evening All
Jim and Barry, thanks for comments
Made a start on the wing assembly, right hand, flaps, aelerons all move(well at the moment they do, all hinges are PE)

Have dry fitted to check the folding hinge, will start assembling and gluing this weekend. The whole assembly snap fits on the fuselage.
Cheers
Alun

[Alun Wells]

A quick update on wing assembly:-

The folding works, but a bit flimsy. A few paint touch-ups but upper and lower wing glued together. No real fit issues. Flaps and aelerons move
Cheers
Alun

[scottie3158]

Alun,

Coming on nicely fella.

[Steve Jones]

Steady work Alun. Keep it comin mate

[Alun Wells]

Afternoon all
Have done quite a bit since last update
Attached wings to fuselage, tailplane on, wheels attached, put the fuselage glazing in, have masked and painted the canopy.
Paint scheme on, still have bomb bay doors to fix in place, plus the engine cowl. Wings do fold but quite a delicate operation.

Tyres are rubber, as supplied.
Still a lot to do, rockets, auxiliary fuel tanks, and prep for decals.
Cheers
Alun