COMPLETED Trumpeter 1/32 TBF -1C Avenger Torpedo Bomber build with Ezra my grandson

Bakster

 

 

Tosh

I too built the Academy Avenger, it was a 1/72.  What scale was your Avenger my friend?  Academy does a great job with their kits.

 

 

Hi again, Toshi. The kit I built was their TBM-3 USS Bunker Hill 1/48 scale. The kit had very good detail, but I was a bit disappointed in a few things. I had a lot of trouble fitting the engine cowl, and worst of all, the wings had a number of sink marks. I also hated their instructions. This kit was a re-pop, so I was able to find better instructions through a FSM friend under if I recall correctly, the Accurate Miniatures version.

Having said all that though, the plane came out great, and it even got published in an issue of FSM under their ready gallery. Like you said--no kit is perfect, but I drool over the PE, the masks, the separate flaps, and all the nice detail that your Trumpeter kit offers. I would have been in heaven building that. 

I just viewed your images of Ezra helping out. That is priceless and what a joy that must be for you. It warms the heart to see him helping.   

 

“I just viewed your images of Ezra helping out. That is priceless and what a joy that must be for you. It warms the heart to see him helping.”  

Thank you for stopping by and viewing our build, we are most humbled.  It is with the upmost joy that I’m blessed with Master Ezra building kits with me.  You nailed it with one word, “Priceless”!

Your Friend’s, Toshi & Ezra

Your friend’s, Toshi & Ezra

Here’s what we both painted and assembled prior to weathering.  I do not allow Master Ezra to use the Tamiya Weatherine Master System as the powder in it is too fine.  That’ll be my job.

Your friend’s, Toshi and Ezra

You both will remember this for some time to come. I remember when my son was about that age and we built 4 different 1/144 scale aircraft together. I still have them in a case above my big display case for safe keeping. One of these days he'll have them for himself. We had a blast building them over 10 years ago.

Great progress so far Toshi. I must admit that I'm not really a big fan of Trumpeter kits but this one looks like it's got alot more detail than the aircraft that I built in 1/24 scale.

mustang1989

You both will remember this for some time to come. I remember when my son was about that age and we built 4 different 1/144 scale aircraft together. I still have them in a case above my big display case for safe keeping. One of these days he'll have them for himself. We had a blast building them over 10 years ago.

Great progress so far Toshi. I must admit that I'm not really a big fan of Trumpeter kits but this one looks like it's got alot more detail than the aircraft that I built in 1/24 scale.

 

I did not realize that Trumpeter made 1/24 kits.  Wow!  I’ve only built Trumpeters 1/32 kits.  The Sea Harrier was one of my favorites.  It also made it into the Digital FSM Gallery.  P-38 Lightning, F4-U Corsair, Me 262 see through (One of my favorite type of kits) and the Stuka are kits I built from Trumpeters 1/32 offerings.  All great kits in that I can recomend sir.  Fantastic detail, not a perfect like Tamiya 1/32 kit but what is.  Still never the less a fun build and in the hands of a master builder like you, it’ll actually fly when you add some AVIATION FUEL!!!

Your friend’s, Toshi & Ezra

This will be painted white as most but not all of the TBF (Turkey) Avenger is per the fantastic photos Goldhammer sent to me!  Thank you so very much for always helping me sir!!!

After that, I’ll take some watered down Burnt Umber and lightly weather it down.  I’ll then use my Tamiya Master Weatherine System F (Light Gun Metal and Titanium) for the metallic look.  By the way, Master Ezra did not build this part of the kit as he just crashed out for his afternoon nappy time!  Lol!

Your friend’s Toshi & Ezra

Tosh

You know, for you to take a kit with such issues, and have it in FSM Readers Gallery makes you one helluva master builder.  You build, I try to.  

Oh--thank you but you are too kind. It was some skill--and some luck. I have seen your work and I having nothing over you. You have great skill.

Your friend, Steve

Bakster

 

 

Tosh

You know, for you to take a kit with such issues, and have it in FSM Readers Gallery makes you one helluva master builder.  You build, I try to.  

 

 

Oh--thank you but you are too kind. It was some skill--and some luck. I have seen your work and I having nothing over you. You have great skill.

Your friend, Steve

 

I used a NEO by Iwata with a Iwata in-line Air Filter Pistol Grip with a Quick Release.  It’s a great set up as all I have to do is screw off the in-line Air Filter and screw it onto my Iwata Eclipse Or whatever other AB I need/want to use.

Bomb/Torpedo Bay.

Vallejo Model Air Insignia White 71.279.

Your friend’s, Toshi & Ezra

Both above and bottom bomb/torpedo bay photos have been painted with Vallejo Model Air Insignia White 71.279.

Your Friend’s, Toshi & Ezra

Goldhammer‘s photos of some of the interior of the Avenger helped a lot.  I added red rust as a effect.  The same as some of the photos except I went a little more heavy.  You can see the difference.

That is due to the fact that it’s in Pacific theater action.

Your friend’s, Toshi & Ezra

Tamiya cutters, Tamiya Extra Thin Cement, Frog Tape.  This was what I showed Ezra the “How to Process”.  He did a fantastic job on the torpedo build.  It’s time for bed for Ezra so he‘ll watch some Boss Baby and turn in.

I‘ll AB the torpedo this evening.

Your Friend’s, Toshi & Ezra

Ezra refused to go to bed.  So he helped paint (AB) the torpedo and we both installed it.  Mind you, he’s two and three quarters years old.  This is what I call die hard determination.  Lol!

Your friend’s, Toshi & Ezra

Another night that I can’t sleep.  Mrs. Toshi finally got Ezra to sleep at 11:30pm est.  I on the other hand wanted to see what the build would constitute.  I’m watching WWII: Witness to War on AHC (American History Channel) while I take photos.  Here are the results.

Your Friend‘s, Toshi & Ezra

Some great work there, my good friend. Sometimes Trumpeter aircraft stuff have issues but generally they turn out really well and looking the part.

your young padawan learner is doing well and we see a master in the making like his teacher.

When Mrs Toshi is well enough and you want a complete change of scenery then my guest quarters here in God's own country of Yorkshire is open to you. It is just a flight over the pond!

Your Good friend

James

snapdragonxxx

Some great work there, my good friend. Sometimes Trumpeter aircraft stuff have issues but generally they turn out really well and looking the part.

your young padawan learner is doing well and we see a master in the making like his teacher.

When Mrs Toshi is well enough and you want a complete change of scenery then my guest quarters here in God's own country of Yorkshire is open to you. It is just a flight over the pond!

Your Good friend

James

 

It, the Tomcat was in a price range that was in the Tamiya 1/32 class and I just don’t have that kind of cash flow nor feel like it’s worth it.  As you can see through my many builds, with the exception of Third Reich jets, my affinity for propeller aircraft is strong.  It is so funny that you bring up and describe Master Ezra as my young Pad-wan Learner.  I do hope he at least continues in some compacity of the force in building kits in the future and not get caught up in the Dark Side (Nintendo, X-Box, Sony PlayStation) Lol!  Although everything in moderation right?  Ezra and Mrs. Toshi saw Star Wars episode IV for the first time and loved it.

Now Mrs. Toshi as well as Ezra wants a X-Wing Fighter and a Tie Fighter kits to build.  They both think it’s cool although Master Ezra’s words were; “I want, I want”!  Lol!  Your offer to your guests quarters in God’s country of Yorkshire, England when Mrs. Toshi feels better brought tears to both of our eyes!  You are too kind sir and it sounds great as she has always spoke of traveling to the other side of the pond.  The last time I was in your beautiful country was 1985-1989.  I played in Live-Aid and got to travel to Saint Andrews Scotland.  I not only met some of the most wonderful human beings like you but saw some of the most memorable places in the world.

My home at that time was Amsterdam, Netherlands.  I watched BBC religiously.  East Enders, Ab Fab, Wogan, Halo Halo, Black Adder, Neighbors, and an assortment of other serious and funny comedy series broadcasted over the pond.  My all time favorite was Ab Fab and Black Adder.  My most memorable Black Adder series was the WWI depiction.  Funny but with a sad ending.  

Your friend’s, The Toshi’s 

Yes. I agree with you. Blackadder, 'allo, 'allo, are certainly very funny and are different types of classic British comedy.

Both are on my Plex media server along with many others.... In fact, I am currently watching 'allo,'allo again at this moment so if or when you come and stay these are available to you.

I am sure that Mrs Toshi will like these programmes and laughter is always encouraged in this Yorkshire household as I firmly believe that laughter is the best medicine. There is plenty to do, or not to do here and I can arrange a mini spar session with my friends where I have my hair done with a massage, nails and hair for Mrs Toshi.

There is somewhere that I would love to take you and that is the Yorkshire Air Museum where many of the exhibits are still working and are certified for taxiing "thunder runs".

Also not far off is the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight and Lincolnshire Heritage aviation Museum. You can see some of the most iconic RAF aircraft in the air and get up close and personal with them. A must for model builders like we are.

If you fly in to Leeds Bradford International airport then you are flying into a historic place as it was RAF Yeadon which saw spitfires based there and also, when you look at google maps you can see a very large building just to the north. This was one of the Avro factories that made the Lancaster Bomber. The finished aircraft would tax on to the airfield from the factory. Part of the taxiway is still there. After an air test the new Lancasters would leave RAF Yeadon and the factory for a new squadron.

Once I have finished this E-100 Waffentrager then I will be launching into Zoukei-Muras very first release and the 1/32 Shinden will hit the bench.

I am surprised that my good friend Toshi hasn't got one of their kits as they are superb and each release just seems to offer more. You just need to look at my Ki-45 build which might end up on their display stand at this year's Scale Model World at Telford To see the standards and detail they have!

I would like to do one of their new russian Migs that Trumpeter has released over the past year. It gives me an excuse to get hold of Vallejo's paint sets they have released for russian jets.

Your good friend,

James

Tosh

 

Here’s what we both painted and assembled prior to weathering.  I do not allow Master Ezra to use the Tamiya Weatherine Master System as the powder in it is too fine.  That’ll be my job.

Your friend’s, Toshi and Ezra

 

oh come on Toshi... I bet he’d do a great powder bomb, just like Lebraun James! You just don’t want to clean up the mess lol

He's doing a good job. I can tell he's got a great mentor!

snapdragonxxx

Yes. I agree with you. Blackadder, 'allo, 'allo, are certainly very funny and are different types of classic British comedy.

Both are on my Plex media server along with many others.... In fact, I am currently watching 'allo,'allo again at this moment so if or when you come and stay these are available to you.

I am sure that Mrs Toshi will like these programmes and laughter is always encouraged in this Yorkshire household as I firmly believe that laughter is the best medicine. There is plenty to do, or not to do here and I can arrange a mini spar session with my friends where I have my hair done with a massage, nails and hair for Mrs Toshi.

There is somewhere that I would love to take you and that is the Yorkshire Air Museum where many of the exhibits are still working and are certified for taxiing "thunder runs".

Also not far off is the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight and Lincolnshire Heritage aviation Museum. You can see some of the most iconic RAF aircraft in the air and get up close and personal with them. A must for model builders like we are.

If you fly in to Leeds Bradford International airport then you are flying into a historic place as it was RAF Yeadon which saw spitfires based there and also, when you look at google maps you can see a very large building just to the north. This was one of the Avro factories that made the Lancaster Bomber. The finished aircraft would tax on to the airfield from the factory. Part of the taxiway is still there. After an air test the new Lancasters would leave RAF Yeadon and the factory for a new squadron.

Once I have finished this E-100 Waffentrager then I will be launching into Zoukei-Muras very first release and the 1/32 Shinden will hit the bench.

I am surprised that my good friend Toshi hasn't got one of their kits as they are superb and each release just seems to offer more. You just need to look at my Ki-45 build which might end up on their display stand at this year's Scale Model World at Telford To see the standards and detail they have!

I would like to do one of their new russian Migs that Trumpeter has released over the past year. It gives me an excuse to get hold of Vallejo's paint sets they have released for russian jets.

 

Your good friend,

 

James

 

I have done a WIP on every single build I have and I’ve done two Zoukei-Mura builds although they were in 1/48 as I could not afford the 1/32.  Photos to follow snapdragonxxx.  Three of them, the Zoukei-Mura 1/48 Shinden, Tamiya 1/32 Mosquito, and my Tamiya 1/32 Corsair made it into the FSM Digital Readers Gallery.  I’ll also add a photo in honor of you sir of my Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster that’s hanging on my wall.  One of my first bombers made.  I’ve also to my shock and I was most humbled in that FSM Digital Readers Gallery included these builds, Monogram 1/48 Visible B-17 and Trumpeter 1/32 Harrier.  Shocked was my first reaction!  You see, I’m just a simple bumbling novice compared to every FSM Forum Members building kits.  I’m the real padawan learner compared to all of you Jedi Masters!

The Zoukei-Mura 1/32 and 1/48 are supreme kits!  I must agree with you in that they are some if not the premier kits designed and produced ever.  I’ve built every single Tamiya 1/32 kits: Corsair, Zero, Spitfire, Mustang, and their premier Mosquito of which I just fell in love with.  But I feel that Zoukei-Mura’s kits far surpassed these absolutely fantastic industry standard Tamiya kits.  The one kit I would kill for is the Zoukei-Mura 1/32 Swallow!  It’s just way too expensive and out of my reach.  I think I found one for over  two hundred American dollars.  Whew!

Your friend’s, The Toshi’s 

Zoukei Mura 1/48 Shinden

Zoukei-Mura 1/48 See Through 

Horten 229 Flying Wing

Tamiya 1/32 Spitfire

Tamiya 1/32 Zero

Tamiya 1/32 Mustang Chrome Edition

Tamiya 1/32 F4U-Corsair

Tamiya 1/32 Mosquito

Tamiya 1/48 Avro Lancaster