SUNDON Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 This is going to be my attempt at a FAA Tarpon built from the 1/48 Italeri reboxing of the Accurate Miniatures kit. As some of you might have read in my WWII post Link I've been looking into the fact that the Observers seat is missing from the kit. So to build a British Tarpon some scratch building is required. I've tried to find as much as possible about the British aircraft but there's not much out there, only a few pictues and drawings that are not that clear. So taking that into consideration I've decided to wing it a bit and try to build my version with what I have in the spares box and other bits and pieces. This is what I started with , the basic cockpit floor. After some time with the dremel and my craft Knife. Now for some constuction. I started by cutting some styrene sheet to replace the floor. Now from the spares box a seat and some other bits of sprue this is what I've come up with so far. Thanks for taking time to look at this and any advice would be a great help as I build this project. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Jellyfingers Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 (edited) After seeing your latest in RFI, I expect this will be rather nice too. Si. BTW I've no idea if there's anything useful to you in the following, but interesting all the same:- http://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/tbf/tbf_walk.shtml http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/tbm3cc_...w%20Compartment http://rnzaf.hobbyvista.com/avwalk.html Edited February 25, 2011 by Dr.Jellyfingers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davec_24 Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I have a bit of a soft-spot for the Avenger/Tarpon, particularly in FAA service, so I'll be keeping an eye on this. Will she be finished in the markings from the box, or do you have another option planned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNDON Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 I have a bit of a soft-spot for the Avenger/Tarpon, particularly in FAA service, so I'll be keeping an eye on this. Will she be finished in the markings from the box, or do you have another option planned? Not to sure at the minute I've had a quick look for some replacement decals but haven't found much of a choice yet so if any body has any surgestions I would I would be greatful. Thanks. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNDON Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 Half term over and the kids have gone back to school and now more progress. Done quite alot since last update. Some pictures before test fitting. All painted and a light oil wash. Next step getting ready to close the fuselage up and then to start the engine. Thanks for looking Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iang Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Martin, That looks very nice. I think one thing you have missed is the instrument panel in the observer's position. In FAA Avengers this was fitted to the bulkhead covering the aperture that would have had a radio fitted in USN Avengers. Still easy to fit at this stage! IG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNDON Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 (edited) Martin,That looks very nice. I think one thing you have missed is the instrument panel in the observer's position. In FAA Avengers this was fitted to the bulkhead covering the aperture that would have had a radio fitted in USN Avengers. Still easy to fit at this stage! IG Already have this in hand just waiting to install when I attach the fuselage halves together. Thanks Martin. Edited March 1, 2011 by SUNDON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyrre Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Veeery nice, useful for reference. Just remember that the Italeri decals aren't quite correct. Italeri has nicked a profile off the web done by my friend Bengt Stangnes, after me and him had done quite a bit of research on this particular machine. It crashed in Kilbotn, Northern Norway, on May 4, 1945. The wing roundels should be of the C-type and the undersides were most likely white. It had a black antiglare stretching down along the cowling sides, as was common at the time with 846 Sqn machines. To my knowledge there are no pictures of JZ217 around. Also note that JZ217 was a TBF-1C, and should have wing guns, not the common Tarpon 1 nose gun. Kyrre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNDON Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 Veeery nice, useful for reference.Just remember that the Italeri decals aren't quite correct. Italeri has nicked a profile off the web done by my friend Bengt Stangnes, after me and him had done quite a bit of research on this particular machine. It crashed in Kilbotn, Northern Norway, on May 4, 1945. The wing roundels should be of the C-type and the undersides were most likely white. It had a black antiglare stretching down along the cowling sides, as was common at the time with 846 Sqn machines. To my knowledge there are no pictures of JZ217 around. Also note that JZ217 was a TBF-1C, and should have wing guns, not the common Tarpon 1 nose gun. Kyrre Thanks Kyrre just when things seemed to be going all to plan. Could JZ217 have been delivered with sky undersides as I seem to remember reading somewhere that the undersides were painted white in late 1944 early 45. Thanks Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNDON Posted March 2, 2011 Author Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) More done in the last couple of days. The two halves have closed and glued together. Went together really well no visible holes or gaps. The bomb bay ,might add some more detail as I go through the rest of the build but I belive the ordnance will hide most of it. Really pleased with the cockpit and observers position. Going to start on the engine and cowling next. More to follow thanks for looking Martin Edited March 3, 2011 by SUNDON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skapman Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Nice, very nice! ilan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 This is going to be good! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 WONDERFUL work so far..Lubly -Jubly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyrre Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Thanks Kyrre just when things seemed to be going all to plan. Could JZ217 have been delivered with sky undersides as I seem to remember reading somewhere that the undersides were painted white in late 1944 early 45.Thanks Martin. I am positive that JZ217 was delivered with Sky unders, but like many other escort carrier Avengers (and FM-2's) it seems they were repainted some time in late '44, when they were doing a lot of anti-submarine patrols. Let me know if you need help with decals for alternative markings. I have what it takes, I think. This is what 846 Sqn planes were marked like in May '45. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Avenger_...ght_1944-45.jpg http://www.odin.uk.com/cms/index.php?optio...mid=186#joomimg Another picture I've never seen before, from '44, showing possibly red letters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grumman_Avenger.jpg Some more nice stuff http://www.crashsiteorkney.com/page19.htm Notice that if the underside paint appears to be going in a straight line in front of the wing, without the classic Tarpon "step" after the cowling, and with a "sweeping" style behind the wings and towards the elevators, the aircraft was painted white. Another giveaway is the black antiglare on cowling and front top of wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNDON Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 Just a quick update, my first for over a week . All major parts have been put together and a undercoat hase been applied. I've been getting some help with the markings from Colin at the decal bank so I'm hopeful I'll be putting some colour on next after some possible preshading. The undercoat is just some Tamiya Acrylic grey XF 19 and I'm going to use a dark grey for the prshading. I hope to finish the engine sometime today so more pictures to come. Thanks for looking and the support you have all given as I build this excellent kit. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine coast Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Excellent work there Martin ....all coming together really well... Regards Trevor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 It looks pretty darned good to me. I always have trouble fitting the turret after building. I know there is /was a guide on the Accurate Miniatures website on how to do it but I ended up adding the turret and masking before painting my last one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Like the look of this, and as I was thinking of making an Airfix Avenger onto a Tarpon it'll come in handy as reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNDON Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 I recived some decals from Colin at the decalbank today so I now know which markings I'm going to paint (Thanks Colin). To the build I,ve painted the engine which is ok as there wasn't much of it to do, just got to give it a wash with some oil paints to finish it off. Back to the main part of the build I added some pre shading before the sky base went onto the underside. I used some dark grey for the shading as I didn't want to much showing through the base colours.l I also pre shaded the cowl and the bay doors. Now on with the Revell Aqua Sky which I lighterned as I applied to give it a bit more of a weatherd look. I did the same with the cowl and the bay doors. The next step is to do some masking before painting the topsides. I just wanted to say thanks for looking and for the advice and offers for decals as I continue to build this kit. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 looking good so far - am on the look out for one of these (1/72 I guess) to join my growing selection of USN aircraft..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNDON Posted March 18, 2011 Author Share Posted March 18, 2011 For the topsides I'm airbrushing the Xtracrylix paint I had left from my FAA Hellcat, XA 1005 Extra Dark Sea and XA Dark Slate . I found these go on well when mixed with De-ionised water . After applying a base colour some of the paint was lightern and some areas over painted to begin the weathering. I'm quite happy with the result and will weather more after I've applied the decals. Next a couple of coats Klear and then onto the decals. Thanks for looking Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango 1 Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Lovely work so far! Looking forward to seeing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moofles Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 aye you have really done a cracking job on this, your preshading has come out so well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNDON Posted March 26, 2011 Author Share Posted March 26, 2011 My first post for awhile due to the fact that my internet connection has been down for nearly a week (only changed my telephone provider which apparently caused my username and password not to be recognized) . Right back to the Tarpon. Finished the paint and have applied the decals which Colin at the decalbank helped me with(Thanks again Colin) Decided to go with an aircraft from HMS Formidable JZ114 of No 848 Sqn . A coat of klear will be applied over the decals before I begin with the weathering. Before I finish some harnesses will be added. Thanks for looking Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine coast Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Wonders of modern technology eh? ..!!!! Glad you are back on-line ....good progress with the model,you have made a super job of it so far ... Regards Trevor ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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