Accurate Miniatures 1/48 TBM-3 Finished

Thanks John.

I've had a chance to look at the pictures I've posted of this build and I'm appalled at all the mistakes I see when viewed close up. That usually happens when I see what I've photographed but, in this case, I think I could have done better. Oh well, we all strive to do better and I had fun putting this dio together.

Mike, I missed this one.  I think you did very well, and there is a lot of interest in the diorama.

Very cool Mike!! I do enjoy seeing these aircraft more in their element. Thanks for the extra effort. =]

7474,

Glad you like it. I missed seeing your post as I was writing up my last one.

Steve, Brandon, Lodni, Jay Jay, Dwayne, and Mike:

Thanks all for the kind words and encouragement.

I will contemplate which of the 50+ boxes to reach for next from my "stash" closets. I really may try to do the Tamiya 1/35 M48A3 Patton as my first armor build but I do have some unfinished business in aircraft that I really should get to first. It may not work out since it's a WIP I "trashed" some time ago but thought about resurrecting and bought some additional sprues for that purpose. I won't mention what it is - some of you may recall my WIP - but I will say that I'm NOT going to be posting any of it while I work on it. I have my doubts about being able to complete it properly.

Again, my gratiitude for all the comments.

Nice job on the dio and on the Avenger, as long as you try to learn from your "mistakes" than that's all that matters. I'm happy with it. Now give those guys a shore leave pass ASAP. They need the RR to soak up the rays and work on their tans. "There are no mistakes, just happy accidents." 

I think you're being too hard on yourself, Mike. That's some sharp work you did there!

Your figures look fantastic (excellent blocking) and they look like they belong there.

I'm sure you'll find a way to fill up some of that space later. That's no big deal.

As for your adventures into the dark side, I'm very much looking forward to seeing what you'll do. Armor, after all, is more forgiving when it comes to precision. Just browse some reference pics and you'll have a good idea what you can get away with lol.

Good job, Mike! Be proud! :)

I really like this dio.  The plane is well done, and I think you did a really good job on the figures. 

I know Stik was yanking your chain a bit, but it did get you thinking. 

Looking forward to your armor build.  I think changing gears helps keep the hobby interesting.  Just be careful, it's easy to give yourself over to the dark side. (ominous music inserted here).

D

Crude ?  not hardley . Your vinete looks amazing Mate.  Great job on the figures as well.

Fantastic work Mike!   Certainly glad I got one of those in the stash - not that it would look nearly as good as yours when done!

Wow, now that is very cool. I'm blown away. Well done, Sir.

BK

very nice mike , really enjoyed the build , can't wait to see you do some armor .

steve5

1943Mike

Stik,

I just looked in one of my closets containing stash .. I have a HobbyBoss 1/48 F4U -4 "early" that is supposed to have a folded wing option. However, that might be some time down the road ...

I may just try building an armor kit since I've not done any of those and recently bought three 1/35 tanks ... We'll see.

 

I was just playing with ya But you can always add to it later...

besides, the Tamiya F4U-1D has the Bunker Hill markings as well ... 

Stik,

I just looked in one of my closets containing stash .. I have a HobbyBoss 1/48 F4U -4 "early" that is supposed to have a folded wing option. However, that might be some time down the road ...

I may just try building an armor kit since I've not done any of those and recently bought three 1/35 tanks ... We'll see.

Littletimmy,

Glad you like it. I debated in my mind for a while as to whether or not to use the breakaway wood "fins". Then, after having broken a blade on one of the props, ruined another (they give you extras in the resin kit) and broken a blade on one of the last two props, I decided to cover it up as best I could .

I totaly "dig it". Thank's for letting me tag along.

I like the way you used the plywood "breakaway" tail fins on the torpedo. I dont see guy's do those very often.

Well the Hobbyboss F6F and Tamiya F4U 1/48 kits both come with a folded wing build option... (we really need a stirring the pot emoticon here) 

I do hear ya about wanting to use what you have available... 

Thanks Stik!

I agree about the empty deck space but my other TBM-3 with the wings down just won't fit and I have no other AM figures or objects that belong on a carrier flight deck. So, it is what it is.

Very nice finish! I think the only "unrealistic" aspect is that there is just one aircraft on so much deck space. Otherwise it catches the look just right! 

OK, I'm done. A bit crude compared to most of the work I see on this site but I enjoyed building the darned thing anyway.

I also realize that my little diorama is most likely not something one would have seen on board a carrier but I wanted to get some use out of the AM stuff I had.

Time to move on to another project.

This plane looks great Mike!  You've inspired me to add an Avenger to my stash. 

Cheers, Mark

Thanks Brandon.

I guess I'll just figure that the tug was painted on a regular basis but would have had dents and scratches from use. I'll make the weathering minimal.

I must confess that my hand painting is not allowing me to get perfect lines between the wheels and tires - far from perfect but, at this stage of my modeling I'm going to have to be happy with what I've done so far. I should have been more careful when masking the wheels but I goofed there and each time I've gone to hand paint a correction I seem to make it worse. Lesson learned.

She is really starting to shape up now. I love this kit and what you've done with it. Nice work, Sir!

BK

Thanks Steve. I've since my last post returned to the forward section of the canopy and tried - without much success - to make it look better. No more work on the aircraft - now it's on to the minimal diorama I had planned for this puppy.

Does anyone know what, if any, would be the proper amount (and kind) of weathering on a moto tug of WWII ilk? My dio will have a torpedo lying in a cart near the aircraft ready to load, a moto tug with the towing arms still attached to the wheel(s) - not sure if I'll have it being towed from the front or rear - with some pilots standing/kneeling/squatting around a map of the day's assignment. It's from the Tamiya 1/48 kit.

Should I show some rust? Some scratches? Just not sure how well maintained these workhorse vehicles were while the war (WWII) raged on. Any help appreciated.

mike

I think you did a grand job , the only way I know , is you pointed the change out to me ,

steve5

I must apologize to all who have been so kind and whose encouragement I very much appreciate. I ran into a problem I'd not experienced with my last build of the same kit. I just couldn't get the forward section of the canopy to fit properly. Perhaps it had something to do with the way the two fuselage halves were joined in this build .. I just don't know.

The problem was that I couldn't make the little lower "ears" of that section of canopy fit into the areas they are supposed to fit in. They were far enough off so that attempting to get them to fit made that section tilt rearward too much - way too much. Like I said, I don't know how I screwed up. My "fix" was to cut off the "ears" (see picture below) of that section on both sides and try to fill in the open area with styrene. I did my best but it's a glaring mistake and it shows badly.

I am, however, going to continue with this diorama. I've liked building a small diorama with the TA-4F I did last year and I'll finish this one to the best of my ability.

Next updates will be for the Moto tug, figures, torpedo on its cart, etc.