Model Aircraft – September 2019

T

rumpeter has produced some

outstanding kits of some very

desirable subjects in 1:32 and this

particular kit has to be one of my

favourites. It has been on the market

for some years now and I can remember

vividly irst seeing the kit arriving on the

shelves. Who would have thought we would

see a large-scale model of the Avenger? The

irst time I built this model it was in Fleet Air

Arm markings as a ‘Tarpon’ and the decals and

masks for the FAA variants are still available.

However, I decided to go with the more

familiar US Navy three tone Paciic Theatre

colour scheme this time around. As always, I

sourced some Montex masks for the National

markings and for the inside and outside of

the large ‘glasshouse’ canopy. Not that the

decals are not of a very high quality out of the

box. However, painting markings on gives

a more realistic inish and means you can

weather the paintwork at the same

time giving a more consistent

inish. The moulding of the

kit parts is excellent, and

it still surprised me

how well this

model goes

together despite the amount and complexity

of some of the sections. It is always a ‘hold your

breath’ moment when putting the fuselage

halves together with any kit but the sheer

number of modules that are inside this kit just

make you palpitate. Have no fear, with a little

nudging and gentle squeezing in the right

places the two parts just snap reassuringly

together. Even the tricky ball turret presents no

obstacle. Just a note on the ball turret, it will be

necessary to leave the masking on as it has to

Pacific Avenger

James Ashton builds the 1:

Trumpeter TBF-1C

Manufacturer: Trumpeter

Scale: 1: 32

K i t Ty p e: Plastic injection moulded

Kit Number: 02233

Master Set - 0.5 Browning Barrels 32-

Montex Masks - MXK

Eduard - Seatbelts ED

Trumpeter TBF-1C Avenger

APPLYING VARIOUS OIL WASHES BRINGS

THE WEATHERING TOGETHER AND GIVES A

VERY NATURAL PATINA AND SHEEN TO THE MODEL

.....and

installed in the

fuselage

MODEL AIRCRAFT SEPTEMBER 2019

PACIFIC AVENGER

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