Ok….Now onto the next project. This time I thought I would do a build log on this one.
Sticking to my Kiwi roots I thought again it would be nice to build something of the RNZAF nature, being a TBF Avenger aka NZ2509 (Grumpy). Used in the Pacific theatre.
The kit is a 1/48 Italeri and apart from the standard lack of detail within the instructions the kit itself is full of detail!!
Well I’ve armed my self with copious amounts of reference materiel so….. best get on with it then.

Grumpy


Great site on Kiwi Avenger nose art
http://rnzaf.hobbyvista.com/avecol1.html

Got the same kit in my stash with a bunch of aftermarket goodies, just hasn't got around starting it yet. It sure looks nice in the box, as Accurate Miniatures kits tend to be. I'll be keeping an eye on your build.

The kit being the AM kit reboxed, the instructions are AM's as well. The only Italeri contribtion seems to be the removal of ALL of the written instructions that go with the pictures. I think this was probably done to keep it in line with their all-pictorial instructions. A really dumb move if you ask me.

Accurate Miniature's website is now defunct, but thanks to Web Archive, you can still access a copy of the site and download the original instructions: --click--

I'm so honored they named a plane after me.

sort of Dave lol
The Avengers based a Darton feild, Gisborne NZ in 1943 had the engine cowling painted with a character as a reward for good morale durning there training. the art work was done by the local signwriters for free.

I forgot to take the before paint pic..Oh well heres a few painted ones


Starting on the internal fuselage.

Bugger!! Just looked back through my ref pics and the bottle by the radio equipment, I thought was a fire extinguisher is in fact an O2 bottle. Time to Google WW2 O2 bottles for the right colour.

yellow

Thanks, I also found some painted in Green