Silver Fox Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 This is the old but brilliant Accurate Miniatures Avenger, as reboxed by Italeri. The Italeri instructions are just the pictures from the Accurate sheet without the helpful written instructions and the RNZAF Roundels are an appalling light blue and thus unusable. NZ2510 was one of the second batch of machines delivered to and assembled at Hobsonville in late 1943 as part of a total of 63 machines allocated to the RNZAF, though only 48 were actually delivered diverted from USN stocks. . Unusually they were delivered in the then standard USN Tri colour( actually four colour) scheme, but were marked in standard RAF roundels. These were standard USN machines so had none of the FAA modifications. The first machines were flown to Darton Field, Gisborne, and gratefully received by 8(GR) Squadron RNZAF, which was renumbered 30 Squadron. Given they were flying Vickers Vincents at the time these aircraft must have been a pleasant surprise and quantum leap forward. Individual letters were supposed to be applied alphabetically, though I have only ever seen pictures of NZ2505 as E and NZ2510 as J. The Red of the roundel was over-painted at some stage and white bars added to conform more to the standard markings of the South West Pacific. Eventually the last three of the serial was stenciled ahead of the fuselage bars and the individual letters over-painted. NZ25210 was the first RNZAF Avenger to sustain damage due to enemy action. As these airframes were almost brand new at the time of issue and when the photographs were taken, I did little weathering , just some exhaust staining and dust/ dirt on the wheels, underside and walkways. The Roundels came from Xtradecal sheets as did the serials as the varnish on the Italeri sheet had cracked. I think I would have relaced them anyway as the kit has been in the stash over 15 years and I had trouble with even the small stencils I could save.. As always thanks for looking. 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 Very very smart work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 Very nice build and finish on the Avenger ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shark444 Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 Great job! never actually seen as US Navy 3-tone Pacific scheme on an RN Tarpon. Very cool. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob K. Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 Nice work on the A.M. (Italeri) Avenger. 👍 Like the info on the actual plane. Rgds, Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 Thank you all for the kind words. Just to set the record straight NZ2510 is not a Tarpon or built to FAA requirements, as far as I know it is a standard TBF-1C from USN allocations transferred to the RNZAF. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Nice to see this, I wasn't expecting a Kiwi one, though it shouldn't have come as a surprise from you. I think the Ventura decals have these markings too, I know I've a 1/72 one planned. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky210 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Awesome Avenger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Yes, very nice indeed! Your build lives up to the stellar reputation of the kit! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Nice job and an interestingly unusual scheme Andy Cheers, Stew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Ooooo cracking Avenger, great work it looks lovely. All the best Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSModeller Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 (edited) On 6/11/2020 at 12:21 AM, Shark444 said: Great job! never actually seen as US Navy 3-tone Pacific scheme on an RN Tarpon. Very cool. Grumman supplied the the TBF's with painted RAF Type Roundels, which was quite different to most of the Lend Lease the RNZAF received. Prior to departure to the forward fighting areas in the Islands, the RAF wing roundels were painted over with the RNZAF Pacific Roundels, and fuselage Roundel had the centre Red painted out in RNZAF Pacific Roundel Blue 2 hours ago, Silver Fox said: Just to set the record straight NZ2510 is not a Tarpon or built to FAA requirements, as far as I know it is a standard TBF-1C from USN allocations transferred to the RNZAF. Yes, Stock Standard Grumman TBF-1c as supplied to the USN. Interestingly, Walley Ingham in his book "Avengers" (about his time with RNZAF 30/31 SU/Squadrons) made mention, that some RNZAF TBF crews went to Aussie for Torpedo training with the US Navy. Nice RNZAF Avenger by the way - quite different to the usual Regards Alan Edited June 11, 2020 by LDSModeller 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shark444 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 5 hours ago, LDSModeller said: Grumman supplied the the TBF's with painted RAF Type Roundels, which was quite different to most of the Lend Lease the RNZAF received. Prior to departure to the forward fighting areas in the Islands, the RAF wing roundels were painted over with the RNZAF Pacific Roundels, and fuselage Roundel had the centre Red painted out in RNZAF Pacific Roundel Blue Yes, Stock Standard Grumman TBF-1c as supplied to the USN. Interestingly, Walley Ingham in his book "Avengers" (about his time with RNZAF 30/31 SU/Squadrons) made mention, that some RNZAF TBF crews went to Aussie for Torpedo training with the US Navy. Nice RNZAF Avenger by the way - quite different to the usual Regards Alan Thanks for the info. I missed that it was a RNZAF machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackmike Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 Great job - that's a lovely model that you've built and thank you for the historical information as well! (I have a 1/72 Avenger to do in RNZAF markings so will be referring to this build again, and a 1/48 Accurate Miniatures TBF-IC in the Atlantic finish). Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSModeller Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 1 hour ago, Blackmike said: (I have a 1/72 Avenger to do in RNZAF markings so will be referring to this build again Just bear in mind, those marking were only worn in New Zealand for a short period after the aircraft's arrival/assembly When 30 Squadron prepared to fly/flew to the forward airstrips in the Pacific Islands, the aircraft wore the RNZAF Pacific Roundel See Photo links below RNZAF TBF-1c with RNZAF Pacific Roundel RNZAF TBF-1c with RNZAF Pacific Roundel -1 RNZAF TBF-1c with RNZAF Pacific Roundel -2 RNZAF TBF-1c with RNZAF Pacific Roundel -3 Regards Alan 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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