DONE: Avenger I 832 Sqd FAA, HMS Begum Group Build

[Catch22]

Well guys, I went out and bought myself an Italeri Avenger as you probably all already know and I've managed to spread everything across 3 threads, now 4!

I will be doing another Fleet Air Arm bird, this time it will either be "4F", or it may end up being a made up plane, but from the same squadron, it depends on what I can find for decals or scratch on letters. It's also from SEAC, and not in the Pacific Fleet. This is a 1/48th scale, and I'll be entering as a Catagory 2...

I've begun the cockpit of what, from what little I've done of it, seems like an excellent kit. I will post pictures later!

This a profile of the plane:

 

[Airframes]

We've got the start of an Avenger strike force going now! Nice one Cory!

 

[109ROAMING]

Cool Mate! look forward to those pics!

 

[Catch22]

Pics:

I can't upload them right now for some reason?

 

[Njaco]

Don't forget Jan amd my Dauntless'! We'll take out any flattop! Now we just need some Wildcats for cover. Terry, can you handle that?

 

[Wayne Little]

.......Look out...time to duck again!!!

 

[Catch22]

Yeah, Terry might start buzzing a little close to the deck...

 

[Catch22]

Here are the pics. Sorry about the quality, I just don't have a camera that can do this close up! It's frustrating.

 

[rochie]

Cory you are rubbish at hide and seek mate.........!

just kidding, looks great despite the picture quality

 

[Lucky13]

Who's the attention seeker behind you? lol! Looks great mate!

 

[Airframes]

That was quick mate! Great work Cory, see you got the floor modified OK. I hope you don't have any warping like mine. Check the main floor/spar section. I didn't notice until the bomb bay and floor were assembled and glued.

 

[Catch22]

Thanks guys! That's my brother behind me.

Terry, there is some warping on the floor, however I think it will be forced into shape when it goes in.

 

[Airframes]

OK, keep checking by dry-fitting. There isn't much in the way of locating ribs, as everthing is to scale. If you think it's going to be a problem, start gluing the fuselage in sections, from the rear, making sure that when you get to the nose, you get the best possible joint. Then, start on the bottom of the nose. There's only about 1/4 inch here, so you might have to use superglue on the sides, where they meet the edge of the forward floor, where it slopes down under the engine bearers. But keep checking, and only use the CA a bit at a time; you'll probably only need it on one side, which in my case was the port side. If all of this is neccessary, ensure you keep the fuselage halves tightly taped or clamped, and don't be surprised if there is still a small gap top and bottom. Note that where the bottom central joint is, is a panel joint on the real thing, so you can get away with a bit more - you don't need to totally eliminate the joint line, as there should be a visible panel joint.
One other thing. With the ventral machine gun, once you've bent the ammo belt into place, it's easier to cut-off the gun at the joint of the belt and gun feed, and leave it out for now. This can be positioned and glued through the rear opening later, after painting the model, and then fit the transparency over it. Same with the tail wheel assembly, it can be assembled, then fitted later. If not, both items can easily be damaged or broken off, and would be a real pain to mask.

 

[Catch22]

Alright, thanks for the tips Terry! This will help a LOT to make the build smoother.

 

[Airframes]

You're welcome mate.

 

[Wayne Little]

Doing great Cory! keep up the good work mate!

 

[lesofprimus]

Yea its comin along nicely man....

 

[Catch22]

Thanks guys!

 

[109ROAMING]

Nice work man! detail painting like that amazes me

 

[Catch22]

Thanks Daniel, chalk it up to a really small brush!