1/72 Academy TBF-1

Great scratch building detail you're adding to this build...I look forward to seeing the results to your labor, now!

Cheers

Martin

I am backdating to the initial production model, similar to the TBF on the cover of the October 2011 FSM.  

I've made a little progress, closed up the fuselage and have finished most of the work on the outside.  I need to finish up filling the top of the wing roots which shouldn't take too much more time.  Torpedo bay is finished and just needs another coat of paint.

Hardest part so far has been locating early USN Roundels with the red centers.  I thought about trying to find a 1/72 sheet of universal roundels as I'll need some for an early Kingfisher, but so far have only seen 1/48 at a couple LHS's.

That's some mighty fine work there Zander.  

Chris

I've been traveling a lot over the last few weeks so progress has been slow.  I decided to tackle the propeller since the original did not have much shape.  Making sure each of the blades are straight and at the same angle is a royal pain.  

I also started to work on the flaps, I think they look much better having been seperated and angled.  Also filling in the rear window.  

The Hobbyist

I really dig the extra details youve put into this sucker...are you gonna fold the wings too?

 

I'm not sure that I want to.  I have decided that I will remove the rudder and ailerons though and reposition them.  I will most likely build another of these at some point, probably will fold the wings on that one.

Nicely done! The extra details add a lot of interest to the build.

Russ

Impressive work, I like it.

BK

Looking good, Zander!

Couple more details added to the torpedo bay.  Circles are where I will be adding fuel lines one I paint the bays again.  Almost read to close up the fuselage, a couple more bits and bobs to be added still.  

What nice work. You knew it would go this way, didn't you?!

Added some paint today, about to close up the two halves of the fuselage.  Bomb bay doors are almost complete and MK 13 Torpedo ready to go!

Its been awhile since an update, I was able to cut out the bomb bay doors and fashion new ones, still working on adding some detail here and there.  I realized I was missing the nose gun, so I modified the vent and added some brass tubing.  It's not entirely clean and im not content yet, but it should look better once I glue the barrel down and prime to see inconsistencies.  

Thanks for the feedback!  The vents are all 3 pieces each, I matched the top of the vent to the opening and then added triangles to each side and sanded them to fit.

Man your scratch building looks terrific !  How did you bend the plastic for the vents, if I may ask ?

Excellent additions. All of that is going to make this one a little more special. I really like where you're taking this.

Great detailed scratch build.  You're doing a fantastic job thus far.  I'll be following.

Toshi

Finished up some more detailing today and seperated the bay doors from the fuselage.

I totally understand where you're coming from.

The Academy kits give you just enough to build upon and make something interesting to look at lol. I too, like adding little bits and bobs without actually checking references lol.

Model that Torpedo bay open! Why the heck not?

https://www.flickr.com/gp/139362306@N08/07A0W6

https://www.flickr.com/gp/139362306@N08/nJCd89

Photos dont appear to be showing up on mobile, links included.