In Box Review of Accurate Miniatures 1/48th Scale
U.S. Navy Bomber Grumman TBF/M "Avenger"
Flown by Lt. (JG.) George H.W. Bush
with VT-51 U.S.S. San Jacinto
Kit no. 480120
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright 2004
I paid $33.99 for this kit, when it was marked down to $20.40 when I used a 40% off coupon off the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright 2004
I paid $33.99 for this kit, when it was marked down to $20.40 when I used a 40% off coupon off the web.
HISTORY:
The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) is an American torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air and naval aviation services around the world.
The Avenger entered U.S. service in 1942, and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. Despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become one of the outstanding torpedo bombers of World War II. Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960s.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 3
Length: 40 ft 11.5 in (12.48 m)
Wingspan: 54 ft 2 in[34] (16.51 m)
Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m)
Wing area: 490.02 ft² (45.52 m²)
Empty weight: 10,545 lb (4,783 kg)
Loaded weight: 17,893 lb (8,115 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-2600-20 Twin Cyclone radial engine, 1,900 hp (1,420 kW)
Maximum speed: 275 mph[35] (442 km/h)
Range: 1,000 mi (1,610 km)
Service ceiling: 30,100 ft (9,170 m)
Rate of climb: 2,060 ft/min (10.5 m/s)
Wing loading: 36.5 lbf/ft² (178 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.11 hp/lb (0.17 kW/kg)
Armament: 1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) nose-mounted M1919 Browning machine gun (on early models) or 2 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) wing-mounted M2 Browning machine guns, 1 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) dorsal-mounted M2 Browning machine gun, 1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) ventral-mounted M1919 Browning machine gun
Rockets: up to eight 3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets, 5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets or High Velocity Aerial Rockets
Bombs: Up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs or 1 × 2,000 lb (907 kg) Mark 13 torpedo
The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) is an American torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air and naval aviation services around the world.
The Avenger entered U.S. service in 1942, and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. Despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become one of the outstanding torpedo bombers of World War II. Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960s.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 3
Length: 40 ft 11.5 in (12.48 m)
Wingspan: 54 ft 2 in[34] (16.51 m)
Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m)
Wing area: 490.02 ft² (45.52 m²)
Empty weight: 10,545 lb (4,783 kg)
Loaded weight: 17,893 lb (8,115 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-2600-20 Twin Cyclone radial engine, 1,900 hp (1,420 kW)
Maximum speed: 275 mph[35] (442 km/h)
Range: 1,000 mi (1,610 km)
Service ceiling: 30,100 ft (9,170 m)
Rate of climb: 2,060 ft/min (10.5 m/s)
Wing loading: 36.5 lbf/ft² (178 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.11 hp/lb (0.17 kW/kg)
Armament: 1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) nose-mounted M1919 Browning machine gun (on early models) or 2 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) wing-mounted M2 Browning machine guns, 1 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) dorsal-mounted M2 Browning machine gun, 1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) ventral-mounted M1919 Browning machine gun
Rockets: up to eight 3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets, 5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets or High Velocity Aerial Rockets
Bombs: Up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs or 1 × 2,000 lb (907 kg) Mark 13 torpedo
THE KIT:
Accurate Miniatures was based in Concord, NC. I don't know if they still exist.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows 2 "Avengers" flying over the ocean through heavy flak. Both are non-spectacular sea-blue (FS 35042) and intermediate blue (FS 35164) over white under-carriages (FS 37875).
The nearest "Avenger" has a stenciled white 3 on the side of the fuselage and again in white on the rudder with an X.
This "Avenger" was flown by Lt. (J.G.) George H.W. Bush when he was shot down over the island of Chichi Jima on 2 September 1944. White X2 (BuNo 25213) was the "Avenger" that Bush normally flew. This plane was built by the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors, hence the TBM designation.
The second "Avenger" is in the same colors and appears to have a white 8 on its rudder.
One side panel lists the kit's features: Recessed panel lines. Over 100 parts. Fully detailed interior. Protected clear parts. Canopy masks included. Optional decals. Optional tires (weighted or unweighted). Detailed instruction booklet. Detailed painting instructions. Paint cross-reference chart. Contents: one unassembled plastic model kit, suitable for ages 10 and above. Paint and cement not included.
Additional materials are required: Basic modeling tools, including a hobby-knife, cement, masking tape.
A list of recommended paint colors is shown.
This is all in English and French, followed by Accurate Miniatures street address in Concord. NC. The copyright of the kit is 2004 and Accurate Miniatures UK importer and distributor International Hobbycraft LTD's street address. Plus Accurate Miniatures' web address.
Accurate Miniatures was based in Concord, NC. I don't know if they still exist.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows 2 "Avengers" flying over the ocean through heavy flak. Both are non-spectacular sea-blue (FS 35042) and intermediate blue (FS 35164) over white under-carriages (FS 37875).
The nearest "Avenger" has a stenciled white 3 on the side of the fuselage and again in white on the rudder with an X.
This "Avenger" was flown by Lt. (J.G.) George H.W. Bush when he was shot down over the island of Chichi Jima on 2 September 1944. White X2 (BuNo 25213) was the "Avenger" that Bush normally flew. This plane was built by the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors, hence the TBM designation.
The second "Avenger" is in the same colors and appears to have a white 8 on its rudder.
One side panel lists the kit's features: Recessed panel lines. Over 100 parts. Fully detailed interior. Protected clear parts. Canopy masks included. Optional decals. Optional tires (weighted or unweighted). Detailed instruction booklet. Detailed painting instructions. Paint cross-reference chart. Contents: one unassembled plastic model kit, suitable for ages 10 and above. Paint and cement not included.
Additional materials are required: Basic modeling tools, including a hobby-knife, cement, masking tape.
A list of recommended paint colors is shown.
This is all in English and French, followed by Accurate Miniatures street address in Concord. NC. The copyright of the kit is 2004 and Accurate Miniatures UK importer and distributor International Hobbycraft LTD's street address. Plus Accurate Miniatures' web address.
The other side panel has 2 color side views of "Avengers". One is George Bush's plane (already described above).
The other one is a TBF-1C, Avenger Bureau No. 47733. NZ2518 "Plonky", 30th Squadron, RNZAF, Piva, Bouganville, 1944.
It is non-spectacular sea blue (FS 35042) and intermediate blue (FS 35164) over a flat white undercarriage (FS 37875). It carries RNZAF roundels with bars and white fuselage no. 518. It has a logo on the side of the nose of a beer barrel with wings, tail, landing gear and a face on it on the side of the nose with the word PLONKY.
Flight Lt. Fred Ladd, the pilot of "Plonky", was a teetotaler who could think of nothing more insulting than having beer poured all over himself, hence the flying beer barrel with an open tap.
This plane is identical in every way to the "Avengers"employed by the U.S. Navy and Marines, with the exception of markings. This plane was particularly heavily weathered, patched and scruffy owing to an eventful combat career.
The other one is a TBF-1C, Avenger Bureau No. 47733. NZ2518 "Plonky", 30th Squadron, RNZAF, Piva, Bouganville, 1944.
It is non-spectacular sea blue (FS 35042) and intermediate blue (FS 35164) over a flat white undercarriage (FS 37875). It carries RNZAF roundels with bars and white fuselage no. 518. It has a logo on the side of the nose of a beer barrel with wings, tail, landing gear and a face on it on the side of the nose with the word PLONKY.
Flight Lt. Fred Ladd, the pilot of "Plonky", was a teetotaler who could think of nothing more insulting than having beer poured all over himself, hence the flying beer barrel with an open tap.
This plane is identical in every way to the "Avengers"employed by the U.S. Navy and Marines, with the exception of markings. This plane was particularly heavily weathered, patched and scruffy owing to an eventful combat career.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 6 medium-grey trees and a clear tree in 3 sealed clear cello bags, the decal sheet, canopy masks and instructions.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 12" x 8" page format.
Page 1 has a black and white side view of the box art of Bush's "Avenger".
Page 2 has the history of the "Avenger" and general instructions.
Page 3 has a suggested paint color listing.
Page 4 through 12 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Page 13 has a 4-view line drawing, showing decal placement.
Page 14 is a color and marking guide for Bush's "Avenger" as a 4-view (already described above).
Page 15 is a color and marking guide for the RNZAF "Avenger" as a 4-view (also already described above).
Page 16 asks for your thoughts about the kit or any part problems with it, over Accurate Miniatures' address in Concord. NC.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. Bad move Accurate Miniatures !
The first medium-grey tree holds: a fuselage half, rudder flap half, consoles, joy stick etc. (14 parts)
This kit holds 6 medium-grey trees and a clear tree in 3 sealed clear cello bags, the decal sheet, canopy masks and instructions.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 12" x 8" page format.
Page 1 has a black and white side view of the box art of Bush's "Avenger".
Page 2 has the history of the "Avenger" and general instructions.
Page 3 has a suggested paint color listing.
Page 4 through 12 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Page 13 has a 4-view line drawing, showing decal placement.
Page 14 is a color and marking guide for Bush's "Avenger" as a 4-view (already described above).
Page 15 is a color and marking guide for the RNZAF "Avenger" as a 4-view (also already described above).
Page 16 asks for your thoughts about the kit or any part problems with it, over Accurate Miniatures' address in Concord. NC.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. Bad move Accurate Miniatures !
The first medium-grey tree holds: a fuselage half, rudder flap half, consoles, joy stick etc. (14 parts)
The second medium-grey tree holds: the other fuselage half, Cowling halves, other rudder flap half, antenna, cockpit floor (5 parts)
The third medium-grey tree holds: wing tops halves, elevators halves (4 parts)
The fourth medium-grey tree holds: wing bottom halves, other elevator halves (4 parts)
The fifth medium-grey tree holds: tail wheel with arrester hook attached, bulkhead, consoles, bomb-bay doors etc. (35 parts)
There is a set of AP bombs for the bomb bay included.
The sixth medium-grey tree holds: propeller, engine parts, main wheels, sub-floor, wheel doors, landing gear legs etc. (24 parts)
Below a cardboard shelf in the tray that has a color side view of Bush's "Avenger" on it, is the clear tree in a sealed clear cello bag. It holds: the canopy, turret blister and light lenses (24 parts)
Also below this shelf is the decal sheet and the sheet of self-sticking canopy masks.
No crew figures are provided. Detail is both raised and engraved. Flaps are all molded solid.
Highly recommended.