1/72 - Grumman Avenger by HobbyBoss - TBM-3 released - TBF-1C in May 2025

[Homebee]

HobbyBoss is to release 1/72nd Grumman TBM-3 Avenger kits

Source: https://tieba.baidu.com/p/8249037080

 

- ref. 87274 - Grumman TBM-3 Avenger

 

- ref. 87275 - Grumman TBF-1C Avenger

 

 

V.P.

 

Edited March 20 by Homebee

[Neffan]

Pas d'avions russes comme YAK-38 ou MIG-35 1/72 ??? 

[VMA131Marine]

Well this should be good based on the 1/32 and 1/48 scale kits. Is it one of there Easy Kits though?

[Trenton guy]

87XXX numbers usually means easy kit. Wonder what they will leave off. Their otherwise very nice MC-200 was missing the upper fuselage guns. A small cowl extension at the top rear of the cowling and any sign of the undercowl air intake. Think they are all that way.

[Piotr Mikolajski]

On 2/7/2023 at 2:53 AM, Trenton guy said:

87XXX numbers usually means easy kit.

 

87xxx is the range of numbers for 1/72 scale aircraft. Standard and easy kits are mixed together:

• 87264 - C-47A Skytrain
• 87267 - F8F-1 Bearcat
• 87270 - U-2A Dragon Lady 

 

[Homebee]

And a new announcement - ref. 87275 - Grumman TBM-3C Avenger

 

V.P.

 

[Homebee]

Test model at the Shizuoka Hobby Show 2024

Source: https://twitter.com/ModelArtInc/status/1788051706569441330

 

 

V.P.

[VMA131Marine]

Looks good, especially if you want to do one wings folded.

….

or one wing folded even!

[Robertone139]

Love this trend, first Dragon and the F6F, then Airfix(!) and the f4f-4, now Hobby Boss and the TBC/M, nice.

[Ngantek]

A wingfold you say?🧐

[stevehnz]

Does the wing fold mean this is a conventional kit rather than an easy kit or something in between?

Steve.

[Piotr Mikolajski]

2 hours ago, stevehnz said:

Does the wing fold mean this is a conventional kit rather than an easy kit or something in between?

 

All the parts and details suggest standard kit, like their A-7s. I have no idea where I'll put this one (yes, I know, the stash is the place) but this seems to be much better option than old Hasegawa.

[TheKinksFan]

 

http://www.hobbyboss.com/index.php?g=home&m=article&a=show&id=265&l=en

Edited September 20, 2024 by TheKinksFan

[Homebee]

Release in late November 2024 - ref. 87274 - Grumman TBM-3 Avenger  

Source: http://www.hobbyboss.com/index.php?g=home&m=article&a=show&id=265&l=en

Box art

 

 

V.P.

Edited September 20, 2024 by Homebee

[Homebee]

On display at the Tokyo All Japan Model Hobby Show 2024

Source: https://hobby.dengeki.com/event/2370539/3/

 

 

Source:  https://x.com/ModelArtInc/status/1844591545850396924

 

 

V.P.

Edited October 11, 2024 by Homebee

[TheKinksFan]

https://www.hobbymodelismo.es/maquetas-aviones-escala-1-72/18852-grumman-tbm-3-avenger-escala-1-72-hobby-boss-87274.html

 

If that's correct, should be available in February 2025. I do hope that there will be lower prices if ordered directly from China.

[LanceB]

I saw this one "in the flesh" at Shizuoka and again in Tokyo.  It looked better in Tokyo, as the parts were assembled correctly the second time around, and the wingfold and other details looked good, but if this is going to be representative of the production kit then a replacement engine is going to be a necessity.  The engine cylinders are 1/144 scale!

[Vex]

The 8800 yen price tag is a little too steep, for comparison, 1/72 jets from GWH cost about as much.

[Robert]

The Japanese Yen price is always higher for imported kits to protect their home grown manufacturers, so wait till you see the price in your country.

 

Regards 

Robert 

[LanceB]

22 hours ago, Robert said:

The Japanese Yen price is always higher for imported kits to protect their home grown manufacturers 

The price is higher because it is an import, the Yen is worthless at the moment, and the kit is passing through a multi-tier distribution system (importer > hobby distributor > hobby shop > retail customer).  Has nothing to do with protectionism whatsoever.

[Homebee]

Released - ref. 87274 - Grumman TBM-3 Avenger  

Source: http://www.hobbyboss.com/index.php?g=home&m=product&a=show&id=1850&l=en

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V.P.

Edited January 21 by Homebee

[thepureness]

I was expecting this to be one of their "simple" range. But this looks like a crazy detailed kit that puts any 1/72 Avenger to the bottom of the stash now. 

 

In the words of little Britian. "I want that one"

[Tbolt]

Yes that certainly has plenty of detail packed in. I notice the drop tanks seem to have the bolted ( or riveted ) flanges on, that's a small detail to include in 1/72nd.

[Troy Smith]

9 hours ago, thepureness said:

But this looks like a crazy detailed kit that puts any 1/72 Avenger to the bottom of the stash now. 

 

2 hours ago, Tbolt said:

Yes that certainly has plenty of detail packed in. I notice the drop tanks seem to have the bolted ( or riveted ) flanges on, that's a small detail to include in 1/72nd.

 

OK, there is a reason, and that is Trumpeter do a 1/32nd Avenger,  and the parent firm of Hobbyboss, Trumpeter and I Love Kit is  the Huihuang Electric Appliance Co., Ltd, of the Nanlong Industrial Park , SanXiang, ZhongShan , GuangDong , China, 

This Explains why you see what is a Trumpeter kit then made by Hobby Boss in a different scale, and if the base research is alrge kit with detail, like the Trumpeter 1/16th T-34,  when this was done by  Hobby Boss in 1/48th, it came with a full interior.

 

So, the detail here is because they already have the research done.   

 

This is good news, as AFAIK I have not seen any wailing and gnashing of teeth over the 1/32nd Avenger, and given the reputation these firms have for shoddy research, I have not seen Americans  bitching about Chi-com garbage as I would have expected to have if they did mess up, but this also explains the level of detail in the 72nd kit.

 

Still. a decent new detailed and well engineered 72nd Avenger is a welcome addition if the above is correct

 

HTH

[LanceB]

Interesting attachment of the opened underwing hinge door... and protruding wing guns?  Plus the engine is still...

Test shot I am sure, but given the issues with it odd of HB to use that as the promotional images on their site.

 

The CG looks nice, much better than the plastic.