Lindbergs TBF dates from the 1950's, and it's...Lindberg.

I can't find any reliable reviews beyond it being "ancient", "venerable" which I doubt.

No first hand knowledge either.

IMO if it cost $ 10 or less...maybe.

They want 5 buck's.

Well... the box is okay.  Anything inside is probably going to be used for testing purposes, like "Fire Drill".  If you want to do a Pacific wreck then it might work. 

Yes underwater dio

As a basic shape, it's actually better than Lindberg's usual standard. The cowling always struck me as looking a bit 'pinched,' but the rest is pretty okay.

Probably better for a wreck diorama than the work that would be required to 'dress it up' as a service a/c to a suitable degree for that scale.

I've always thought that the nose area is not quite shaped right, too.  Foreshortened, maybe?  Or as though the slope from the leading edge of the windscreen to the front edge of the cowling is too steep.

Yeah it's five bucks, so you can have fun with it, without feeling like your burning money.

I've got a bagged on in the stash, just haven't gotten to it yet.  I've been saving it for when I need to do a quick, fun build to jumpstart my modeling ***.

Yes after I get paid tomorrow I will return and buy some cool AMT Semi kits and the big Lindberg Tirpitz as well as the crappy Avenger.

philo426

and the big Lindberg Tirpitz as well

The Lindberg Bismarck/Tirpitz kits have possiblities as well...but they require a fair amount of work:

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/7/t/140139.aspx

Fun, though!

Yes might be an interesting winter diversion build 

the Baron

...I've got a bagged on in the stash, just haven't gotten to it yet.  I've been saving it for when I need to do a quick, fun build to jumpstart my modeling ***.

At least it didn't star out "effing".

It's all Manny's fault.

Keeping it clean for the FSM forum kids!

Er what do you expect for $5?

Never know.this one was 4

Ok bought these kits at Ollies

Have to confess that this kit surprised me!Unexpected complexity and that makes it interesting.

Can you guess what I am up to?

You're making me want to break mine out and have a go at it.  Mine is an older pop, though, in a bright blue plastic.

philo426

 

Oh wow I had the Lindberg HMS Hood back when I was just a wee lad. It had a motorization system- I'm guessing the modern DKM Tirpitz kit doesn't include that? 

Nope not motorized .I would like to get a motorized kit.

Hi,

It'll be interesting to see what you do with your kit. As others have noted some of these old Lindbergh kits can make good starting points for modifications, kit bashing or what-ifs.  And it appears that the TBM did eventually end up getting converted or modified for several roles other than just torpedo/depth charge/bomb attack.  I know that I have seen pictures of them in the role of Airborne (Radar) Early Warning craft, Carrier Onboard Delivery (Cargo) craft, and Firefighting craft, as well as some additional pictures of prototype conversions to a single seat attack craft. 

Pat

PS.  Another posible what if role that could maybe be considered for the plane might be conversion to a rescue craft, where the torpedo bay is converted to instead carry an airdroppable life boat (or life rafts) like some larger coast defense bombers did ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbo_(air-sea_rescue) )

Cool just have to figure out the wing fold hinge

I'm happy to see you have a go at this, Phil. I'm one of the weirdos that like building the older kits.

If you ever find the Lindberg Stuka Me262 double kit, grab it. The Stuka builds up wonderfully. The 262 needs work, but is building up well regardless. I've got a lot more putty before that one is done lol.

Have the double kit.  Not kidding about the 262.  Haven't tried the Stuka yet.

Also doing a surrender Betty...just have to repaint the canopy frames.

Have to look for the double kit

The joystick is movable And the hole connects to the control surfaces I guess.

Instrument panel

Very unconventional construction.I will have to mask and paint the turret before joining the fuselage halves.should be tricky!  

philo426

Nope not motorized .I would like to get a motorized kit. 

I got a boxing of Lindberg's Stearman kit, that included what I like to call the "U-Bild-It Motor".  It includes a metal axle, and the plastic leaves, I guess they're called, to stack up and build the rotor.  If I remember correctly, you have to supply the copper wire to wrap the rotor.  It's pretty cool, actually, and if I had gotten that when I was a kid, I would have really thought it was cool.  "Look at this-I built the motor!"

Cool I think I have an Plane with the build a motor (Stiletto I believe).Anyhow I taped off the turret abd sprayed the interior green.

Every time I see the title of this thread it just cracks me up.

True crappy but interesting crappy.

The box art model is kind of bad too!

Mocked up to test the fit ...might be  ok but I have to protect the turret when I do body work and painting.

I reinforced the landing gear with a copper tube .They do retract which they have to to allow the fuselage halves to be joined.

I had to bevel the edges of the landing gear doors with a file but they fit surprisingly well.

The installation of the lower wing would not allow the fuselage halves to pass through .I had to keep trimming until they did but I removed too much plastic resulting in a large gap at the wing roots.Stryrene fillets and putty will be necessary.

Holy crap, Phil. Keep punching away at it!

Every time I whip one of these old kits into proper shape I feel a great sense of acomishment.

The newer kits are fantastic. Easy to assemble and chocked full of details that would take me months to replicate on my own. But they're still 95% assembly. I've been building them just to paint because it's easy to get to that stage.

For example my Dauntless wasn't meant to be anything but fairly quick build just to hang it from my ceiling, but I see too much potential for adding details and I'm enjoying the absolute crap out of the process.

If I find this Avenger kit I'll be bringing it home with me. I can see by your build that I would enjoy the challenge.  

You're making it look like a lot of fun!

Following with rapt enthusiasm my friend.

Thanks it is so unusual that is fascinating how the kit designer really thought out of the box when designing this Model.Tooling limitations of the time might be the source if much of the fit difficulty.It is on me about the wing root gap ...should have checked the fit more frequently.

Let the body work begin!

Nice progress, Philo, doesn't look bad at all!

Yes I will make it look good!

It may be a krappy kit but you're doing a sharp job on her Philo! 

Thanks!

philo426

Yes I will make it look good!

 

No doubt about that, Phil.

Yes!it is my scale modeling mandate!

Ok the kit engine is ok but I have a Verlinden resin engine that is much better.So No real choice!

B ody work is done and I cut 2 pieces of copper at an angle to represent the exhaust pipes.After the rust color dries I will hit it with burnt metal metalizer  

philo426

B ody work is done and I cut 2 pieces of copper at an angle to represent the exhaust pipes.After the rust color dries I will hit it with burnt metal metalizer  

 

Work will soon start on the wing fold.Had to put interior wibg ribs with sheet styrene.

Just a suggestion, but you have a very busy background for most of your photos and your camera focuses on that, rather than your project. Get a cheap piece of posterboard to place your build on for photos. It just takes a minute or two to set up and take down, and your crappy build will show all its crappy glory

Seriously dude, it looms like your knocking this one out of the park, and I’m sure I speak for many here who want to see more! Anybody can build Tamigawa and make it look good... but Lindberg... that takes true talent and skill.

Thanks for the kind words!I really appreciate it!Yes this has been very interesting.I have been making models for over 40 years and this is the first kit with this construction method of affixing the cockpit tub and turret to the lower wing section.Caused problems but at least it is not like the Accurate Miniatures version that has a very tricky and specific turret installation procedure.

stikpusher

Just a suggestion, but you have a very busy background for most of your photos and your camera focuses on that, rather than your project. Get a cheap piece of posterboard to place your build on for photos. It just takes a minute or two to set up and take down, and your crappy build will show all its crappy glory

 

Seriously dude, it looms like your knocking this one out of the park, and I’m sure I speak for many here who want to see more! Anybody can build Tamigawa and make it look good... but Lindberg... that takes true talent and skill.

 

AMEN brother! Preach it! Lol

I will get some foamcore to block out the distracting elements soon.Added the vertical and horizontal stabs as well as the rudder and elevator.

Looking great, Phil. I like the slight angle you put into the elevators.

This is looking great! And on the upside you got both fuselage halves in the box. Several years ago, before Lindberg ended up under the Round 2 banner, FSM received a review sample of the kit. I was going to put it together for a humor build (whole other story) but when I opened the still-sealed-in-plastic kit, there were two left fuselage halves and no right half. 

Aaron Skinner

This is looking great! And on the upside you got both fuselage halves in the box. Several years ago, before Lindberg ended up under the Round 2 banner, FSM received a review sample of the kit. I was going to put it together for a humor build (whole other story) but when I opened the still-sealed-in-plastic kit, there were two left fuselage halves and no right half. 

You obviously received the parts for the super-secret 'special' modification version that never went into production!

How could that happen?Weird!

Hi;

    That Tirpitz. You better have a service sink and plenty of 320 grit and smaller sandpaper. Lotsa weld lines everywhere on the beast. This has always been a flaw in Lindberg's kits. Even on above main deck structures. How about weld lines on the bridge deck? Yup ! 

   Funny, I even found ghost weld lines on a supposed Wooden Shrimp Boat once? Otherwise, I always recommend them as a first time plastic experience. Why? ya can't really hurt'em. Plus they teach you what To do and what Not to do.

    Third and last,They's cheap as models go. And you can with some of them, Make a silk purse out of a Sow's ear ! 

Aaron;

   That was probably the secret Left of center cockpit version. Yeah it was super-secret.LOL.LOL.LOL. T.B. 

Yes they have these lines that I guess are supposed to represent welded hull plates but are pretty sketchy.

Nice to hear from you, Aaron; not having to clean up a mess on aisle four!

As far as Lindberg- I've tried. I really have, to keep an open mind. But the last three kits I've picked up were just so problematic that I've modified it beyond recognition (1), given it away (1), and thrown it away (1).

By all means Philo go for it. Sometimes though I just feel like the paint still costs the same, the glue costs the same, the attrition of expendable product like sanding sticks costs the same if not more, and they certainly take more time.

Interesting thread.

Yes but the Lindberg Betty came out pretty well

Aaron Skinner

This is looking great! And on the upside you got both fuselage halves in the box. Several years ago, before Lindberg ended up under the Round 2 banner, FSM received a review sample of the kit. I was going to put it together for a humor build (whole other story) but when I opened the still-sealed-in-plastic kit, there were two left fuselage halves and no right half. 

 

I feel bad since there's some guy out there with two right halves...  

Phil: The Betty looks great! And the Avenger is coming along great. 

It's just with me there's enough stuff to go wrong in painting etc without starting with a bad kit to start with. My hats off to you for getting this done. 

One side done at least!

Yes Gamera ,It would be nice to build a well engineered kit.Phils summer an d early fall featured old and or crappy kits!First the poor fittng P'38  then the 262 then the paper Titanic Beaufighter and the crappy  Avenger!Have to build a Hasegawa or Tamiya kit just to decompress!

Primer applied

The primer helps! Looking good now!

Yep next up :flat white followed bythe gray  Atlantic cammo.

philo426

 

Hi,

Your build is looking great.  I do have one question though about the wing fold cut.  In looking at these pictures on the internet it appears that the the forward wing section is cut at an angle, with the upper surface being broader than the lower one.  In the picture that you have posted its hard to see if your cut shows a similar angle.

Pat

[Source: Wikipedia - click for larger image]

Video

Sure hope I did it right!hard to fix now!

Atlantic cammo applied

Nice! The Atlantic ASW scheme is very attractive.

Thanks!

I have to remove some over spray on the turret wuth alcohol and a Qtip.

Decals take a long time to release from the backkbg paper.

Engine is cool

I cut an oval out of .10 sheet styrene that fit the back of the cowling and glued plates to it to form deployed  cowl flaps.It is removable should I decide to add photo eteched cowl flaps in the future .

That's a neat trick, Phil. I think I'll put that one in the file for later.

Yes !worked well!

Great progress, Phil!  I like the Atlantic ASW scheme, too.  Who says this is a crappy kit!

Yes if this kit was tooled with modern CNC technology and had an upgraded engine and interior it would be a gem!

You need to work a little more on your camera focus, but otherwise that's looking pretty good, Phil.

You've come a long way in this build in a short amount of time.

Thanks!it came out great!

Hi,

That looks really nice.

Pat

Thanks better than expected!

It was brought to my attention that I put the wings on wrong!This is better!

Ooops, that is better 

looks better too!

Lol yeah it does.

I didn't notice the reversed wings either.

I'll grab this kit if I see it. Since it turns out nice in the end. 

Thanks Phil!! 

Sure the kit looks bad because the box art model looks less than steller.Overspray on the turret poor paint and overdone weathering do not entice you to purchase the kit!

Added the bomb bay doors!

Decided to candy stripe the arrestor hook.

Ok calling It done!interesting kit and unconventional fuselage assembly marred by poor parts fit.Turned out better than expected.Now it resides next to the Mavis in the display  case.