Trumpeter 1/32 TBF-1c Avenger Commonwealth Build-RNZAF

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LDSModeller

Airman
68
11
Jan 14, 2010
Auckland, New Zealand
User Name: LDSModeller.
Name: Alan
Catagory 2 Intermediate.
Model: Grumman TBF 1c Avenger in RNZAF Markings
Scale: 1:32
Manufacturer: Trumpeter
Extras/After Market: Montex masks, may change landing gear with 1:32 G-Factor TBM TBF Avenger Landing Gear, some scratch building.

This kit is going to be built mostly OOB. The Trumpeter kit has styrene and PE frets
inclusive. It's a large kit and lots of parts!!!

Little preamble to my build.

WWII RNZAF aircraft in the Pacific theatre were "owned" by Servicing Units (SU"s)
as opposed to Squadrons. The SU's "loaned" their aircraft to the squadrons
who flew them.

This TBF will wear the markings of 30 Servicing Unit and flown by RNZAF No. 30
Squadron. After 30 Squadron completed their tour, No.31 Squadron then flew them.

September 1943 6 TBF-1's were delivered to Hobsonville Auckland, where they were assembled
and flown to Gisborne. These 6 aircraft were for training purposes only and never left New Zealand.

Between Oct 1943 and Feb 1944, 42 TBF-1c's were delivered and these were to go to
war against the Japanese Empire

RNZAF TBF-1c's though equiped to, never launched any torpedoes, though initiallly
aircrew were trained by the USN for this purpose. They instead became very good
at aerial bombing, Rabaul being a chief target. I might add also that RNZAF TBF-1c's
were also involved in the destruction of Japanese Vegetable gardens by spraying
them with diesel and igniting them with incendiary devices/gun fire. These
were adorned with watering cans for missions flown

The TBF-1c were delivered in standard USN 4 tone colours and the only change was
the addition of RNZAF markings

Upon arrival at Gisborne (East Coast of North Island) many of the crews were eager to
adorn their mounts with art and the art work on my TBF will be Dumbo the Elephant
http://rnzaf.hobbyvista.com/images
/tbf_na2.jpg


Aircraft serial number is NZ2520 Flown by Pilot Officer Gerry Burton

An important note here is that during the RNZAF's involvement in the PTO it was
attached to the USN and shared life with USN/MAG squadrons.

Some photos
Kit
FILE0495.jpg


Montex masks
FILE0497-1.jpg


My reference material includes this book written by Wally Ingham who was
part of 30 SU's ground crew maintaining the TBF's
FILE0496-1.jpg


Some model shots soon

Thanks for looking

Alan
 
Last edited:
Interesting and unusual choice! I like the Dumbo nose art.
 
Hi Gents

Thanks for the welcome to the GB and comments:)

A little update

This is a an RNZAF TBF under restoration at MOTAT
(Museum of Transport and Technology) here in Auckland

FILE0924copy.jpg


This is the Kits Wright R 2600 Engine sans ignition harness and
wiring etc

102_0187.jpg


This is the real thing removed from the MOTAT TBF
for restoration (Photo used with kind permission of Richard Wesley
fellow forumite on RNZAF Proboards here in NZ)
TBFEngine.jpg


This link shows the ignotion harness etc
File:Wright R-2600 1.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the full size aircraft the engine bearers and engine
were attached/through to a "Dishpan" as per following photo
FILE0895copy.jpg


Trumpeter in their wisdom manufactured this piece to attach
the engine and bearers - Why I don't know?
102_0185.jpg


I have carved out of balsa a form, to vacform a new piece to replace
the kit item (this will be my first vacforming, so wish me luck!!)
102_0186.jpg


The following photos show (hopefully) what it will look
like once the new "Dishpan" is made and items joined
102_0188.jpg

102_0189.jpg


More soon 8)

Regards

Alan
 
Nice work Alan.

(Is that a Sunderland float by the engine in the pic, btw?)

Hi Evan

Yes it is a Sunderland float, I believe it
is from NZ4112 which was used
by the Hobsonville Yacht club until
it's demise in the early 1970's

See link
Wings Over New Zealand - hobsonville 'rotten row'

NZ4115 still has all her parts -thankfully
The only other survivor of the RNZAF fleet is
Kermt Weeks Sandringham, which was formerly
NZ4108 as in this link after being sold to Australia

Aircraft NZ4108 (1944 Short S.25 C/N ex ML814) Photo by Peter Lewis (Photo ID: AC116666)

Regards

Alan
 

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