**** DONE: 1/48 TBM-1C Grumman Avenger VC-13 - Carrier Aircraft GB

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

Cheers Paul. Today, I went off the OOB rails a bit by attacking the (to me) unacceptable thickness of the exhaust stubs provided with the kit. I felt that, rather than replacing these outright with brass tube, I would try to thin the plastic parts and am happy to report that the results turned out well. The pic below shows a comparison with the as-supplied piece and the one I thinned using a combination of drill bits, careful Dremel tool use, hobby knife and finally a coat of Tamiya cement to smooth all the surfaces.



I then tackled the landing gear to get the struts ready for painting. Getting the mold line removed along the both sides of the long axis of these pieces is something I find to be a PITA but well worth the effort. I spent a good hour removing these lines by scraping a hobby knife along the surfaces until these lines disappeared. Contrary to the kit instructions, which called for building up the links and actuators after the main struts have been glued into the wells, I fitted the struts loosely without glue and then attached the other bits so that they would form a complete assembly that I could then remove and paint. Here's what it looks like now.



Thanks for continuing to follow along and for your comments chaps.
 
Great work Andy! I need to step up my game with my TBM-1 to keep up with you. Keep at it!
 
Left a lot of "magic" out of this build Vic. Molded plastic fuel and hydraulic lines are all staying as is but I could not let those exhaust stubs stand. Thanks for the comments guys. Should get some paint on this weekend - 4 days long!
 
Good stuff Andy. I ducked out on mine, and used small drinking straws for the exhausts - couldn't get my hands to work to ream out the kit parts at the time.
 
Great feedback guys - thanks so much. Must admit, I went to the kitchen drawer to look at the drinking straws but did not find one small enough. Tonight, I plan to shoot some white paint on the landing gear and the excess will do on the various seams to see if I've got some more detail repair ahead of me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Similar threads

  • Sticky
**** FINISHED: 1/48 TBM-1C Grumman Avenger of VC-13 - Carrier Aircraft GB
2
Replies
20
Views
12K
ccheese
**** DONE: 1/48 Grumman TBM-1C Avenger VMTB-232 – Carrier Aircraft GB
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
16K
Wurger
  • Sticky
**** FINISHED: 1/48 Grumman TBM-1C Avenger VMTB-232 – Carrier Aircraft GB
Replies
16
Views
7K
ccheese
1/48 HB TBM-1 Avenger VT-6 - Carrier Aircraft GB
4 5 6
Replies
107
Views
20K
KoJo
  • Sticky
***** FINISHED: 1/30 Grumman Hellcat - Carrier Aircraft GB
2
Replies
20
Views
4K
Wayne Little
Menu
Log in
Register