LetLetLet ~ Warplanes

Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: Second Air Force on June 24, 2019, 02:26:27 PM

Title: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on June 24, 2019, 02:26:27 PM
Here's another of those old kits that have been sitting on a shelf for far too long--my old Accurate Miniatures TBM. I never really knew what paint scheme to use on this one, there are a fair number of good choices. Finally I went through all my decals and fell on to the best (for me :) ) scheme, a Fleet Air Arm Avenger II from the Pacific Fleet.

Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: No.1 on June 24, 2019, 02:52:42 PM
 :-love :-love :-love
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on June 24, 2019, 03:27:34 PM
Oh, yes--this is a lovely kit, mate! A great amount of detail is molded in and the engineering of the kit is really fantastic. It looks pretty complicated at first glance but goes together quite nicely and the fit is superb. One drawback of this one is the instruction sheet--it jumps around quite a lot and isn't all that clear until you read the entire text, and even after reading it the illustrations are a little confusing.

Since I'd never built one of these I started by assembling the large interior subassemblies and test fitting everything before painting. I was skeptical that all those interior pieces would come together smoothly, but they fit like a glove! Once all the three cockpits and weapons bay parts were glued I fitted the fuselage halves and it clicked together perfectly.

Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on June 24, 2019, 06:40:20 PM
Once I was satisfied with the fit of all the internal parts and bulkheads I sprayed the interior green. Note that this is different depending on whether you're building a Grumman-produced or Eastern Aircraft machine. The early Grumman production had bronze green front and center cockpits. Also I sprayed the wheelwell interiors before gluing the wing halves together in order to get a good coating inside.
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: modellius on June 24, 2019, 07:37:21 PM
I love Accurate kits, they are great, have a few in my stash and every time I see one on some market I just can't help my self...... Nice work mate, like it a lot !
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: draken35 on June 25, 2019, 07:27:08 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: GregM on June 27, 2019, 03:12:49 AM
I built one of these for the first round of models I built for the Hornet Museum, and have a second one 2/3 complete now for the second set going to the museum.  They're great kits, but getting the turret in was kind of a pain.  I used a mask set and sprayed the turret frame with an airbrush, it got a little beat up when installing and the paint had to be touched up.  I think I was ready to deal with the turret when I stopped working on the second one.
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on June 27, 2019, 12:09:12 PM
Yes, I test-fit the turret right after I glued the fuselage halves together. (Last time I follow the instruction sheet!!! :))I think the best solution to it would be to complete the turret and paint it, install it in place and then glue the halves together. I never really thought of that alternative and now it's too late, but I did pry it in there just like you did, so that's what will happen.
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on June 29, 2019, 12:51:04 AM
This is truly a relaxing kit to assemble, it goes together with little need of filler. The only thing I can find wrong with it is that it will be BIG when finished--quite unlike all the Bf 109s I've been used to!! The engine is assembled with kit parts only, no PE or other embellishment and it still looks pretty nice.
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: No.1 on June 29, 2019, 05:48:39 AM
Engine look so detailed, will look nice inside cowling
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: draken35 on June 29, 2019, 07:41:26 AM
Nice indeed
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on July 03, 2019, 12:42:23 AM
Thanks, friends.

I've assembled the primary sections together, here is the result. This kit fits together so nicely that I almost painted it in sections like my Fleet Air Arm Hellcat, but decided to glue the wings on first to maintain strength for later.

It won't be long until painting starts.....
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: No.1 on July 03, 2019, 05:30:02 AM
From my side, look like very good parts, almost no filler need, fast progress
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: draken35 on July 03, 2019, 05:31:57 AM
Looks like a nice kit to build indeed
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on July 20, 2019, 04:55:25 PM
Primer last night, Sky this morning:
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: draken35 on July 21, 2019, 08:22:13 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on July 21, 2019, 02:01:23 PM
Thanks, my friend--I contribute very little nowadays...….
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: modellius on July 21, 2019, 08:41:16 PM
excellent mate !
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on February 24, 2020, 12:52:41 AM
Finally a little forward movement on the Avenger! The model room/office/painting station are all sorted out so I managed to get some paint on this machine....
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: No.1 on February 24, 2020, 05:22:14 AM
Its look like it is comfortable conditions there for work :)
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: draken35 on February 24, 2020, 05:43:00 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on February 24, 2020, 11:52:47 AM
Its look like it is comfortable conditions there for work :)

Yes, I'm so happy to have more head room! I used to bash my skull on the light above the desk in the old space..... Other than that I laid out the desk exactly as it was before and everything is in the "normal" mess that is my modeling method!
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: modellius on March 21, 2020, 08:51:12 PM
Looks very promising, well done so far !
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on March 22, 2020, 04:06:29 PM
Thanks!

Actually, I'm putting the finishing touches on the Avenger--photos will follow fairly soon.
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on March 26, 2020, 01:23:38 AM
Decals going on....
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: draken35 on March 26, 2020, 05:38:21 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: No.1 on March 26, 2020, 06:28:48 AM
 :-clap :-clap :-clap
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on March 26, 2020, 11:03:00 AM
The big machine is finished. I'll get more photos when time allows. Right now planting vegetables in the garden has priority!
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: draken35 on March 26, 2020, 08:44:34 PM
Looks great!
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: modellius on March 27, 2020, 12:30:02 AM
Looks excellent mate !
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: No.1 on March 27, 2020, 05:51:10 AM
Hooray for kit and garden :))
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on April 18, 2020, 09:59:08 PM
The vegetable garden is growing nicely. Finally I took the time to snap a few photos of the Avenger:
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: No.1 on April 19, 2020, 08:20:22 AM
As I see many things grow in your garden- potatoes, carrots, Avengers... :)) in which scale will be potatoes?

P.S. great work for kit as usual!!
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: Second Air Force on April 19, 2020, 02:28:24 PM
New garden spot, so I hope vegetables are in 1/1 scale!!!
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: No.1 on April 19, 2020, 03:44:34 PM
 :-love :-love :-love
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: draken35 on April 21, 2020, 09:04:29 PM
Splendid!
Title: Re: Accurate Miniatures Avenger II
Post by: modellius on April 23, 2020, 05:12:04 PM
Well done my friend !