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World War II
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
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Grumman TBF Avenger question
MikeMx
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: May 22, 2008
KitMaker: 649 posts
AeroScale: 434 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 01:49 AM UTC
Hi

Was there an external differences between the USN TBF Avengers and the ones supplied to the FAA? In particular the original versions of the plane. I can't see anything looking at the pics, besides the colour scheme that is!

thanks
Mike
DonSS3
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Tennessee, United States
Joined: July 27, 2006
KitMaker: 92 posts
AeroScale: 91 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 02:32 AM UTC
The lower fuselage windows in the FAA version were bulged outwards and there was also an observer (navigator?) seat in the area between the pilot and the gun turret. I'm sure there were other differences, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

MikeMx
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: May 22, 2008
KitMaker: 649 posts
AeroScale: 434 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 02:55 AM UTC
Thanks. I've looked at the pics again and I can see the USN lower windows were flat and flush fitted whereas the RN ones appear to be domed. That's interesting what you say because the Academy USN TBF has the domed windows and a seat in between the turret and pilot. So does this mean this is correct for an FAA TBF and incorrect for a USN TBF? Also if it is correct for a FAA version - are there any aftermarket decal sets for FAA Avengers? I've looked and I'm yet to find any.
thanks
Mike
Thatguy
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Virginia, United States
Joined: November 09, 2008
KitMaker: 487 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 03:56 AM UTC
According to Greg Goebel's article:

- The belly stinger gun was replaced with a camera.

- Rocket-assisted take-off gear (RATOG) fittings were added.

- The navigator's seat was moved to right behind the pilot's.

- A new radio mast was fitted that folded down to provide clearance in the hangar decks of British carriers, which had less headspace.

- A dome-type window was fitted on each side of the radioman's position to provide better field of view.

All TBF/TBMs had a crew of three. The middle seat in the Tarpon Is was apparently just relocated.
PanzerMike
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Hamilton, New Zealand
Joined: May 09, 2007
KitMaker: 298 posts
AeroScale: 120 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 02:06 PM UTC
I think Aeromaster makes a couple of sets for US aircraft in Britsh service - i have the fighter ones with Hellcat etc.There were ones made in 1/48 for the AM kits but they are out of print or hard to find.There must have been a set in 1/72.
PanzerMike
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Hamilton, New Zealand
Joined: May 09, 2007
KitMaker: 298 posts
AeroScale: 120 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 02:11 PM UTC
Thats very interesting info thanks - i would be keen to see a pic of the radio deck.They must have moved the radios to get the navigators seat up behind the pilots - those radios are huge lol.Also some of the RNZAF Avengers that were US TBF spec were sent to the FAA in late 1944/45 and they would have been just like the US aircraft - with the standard seating and windows.



Quoted Text

According to Greg Goebel's article:

- The belly stinger gun was replaced with a camera.

- Rocket-assisted take-off gear (RATOG) fittings were added.

- The navigator's seat was moved to right behind the pilot's.

- A new radio mast was fitted that folded down to provide clearance in the hangar decks of British carriers, which had less headspace.

- A dome-type window was fitted on each side of the radioman's position to provide better field of view.

All TBF/TBMs had a crew of three. The middle seat in the Tarpon Is was apparently just relocated.
MikeMx
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: May 22, 2008
KitMaker: 649 posts
AeroScale: 434 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 11:46 PM UTC
Do you know anywhere that stocks them? I've tried Hannants over here in the UK but they don't seem to have any FAA Avenger decals.
thanks
Mike
PanzerMike
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Hamilton, New Zealand
Joined: May 09, 2007
KitMaker: 298 posts
AeroScale: 120 posts
Posted: Friday, August 21, 2009 - 02:13 AM UTC
The only Aeromaster FAA stuff i have managed to find i have bought off a local trading website second hand. I know alot of the 1/48 FAA decals are out of production now. I did a bit of seaching on google and found a build on another forum of a 1/72 Avenger in SEA colors which came off an Eaglestrike decal set but i cant find the set on their webpage sorry.
MikeMx
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: May 22, 2008
KitMaker: 649 posts
AeroScale: 434 posts
Posted: Friday, August 21, 2009 - 09:19 PM UTC
Thats fine. I think this is a project to put on hold for now unless I can find some decals or a specific FAA Avenger kit is released. I'm pretty sure Hasegawa did a FAA Avenger in 1/72 a while back.

thanks
Mike
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