Grumman TBM-3 Avenger, 1/48, Acc. Min.

[Stuart]

I love that scene... I love that movie too actually - I've not seen it in years!

[LyleW]

I have to say, I’ve never seen more than a few bits.

[Stikpusher]

You should watch it sometime... in hindsight it really captured many nuances of the late 70’s perfectly.

[LyleW]

Remember, boys and girls...scale modeling is fun!

Spent time yesterday and today completely stripping the turret, too much bleed under the masks. Had to re-glue a small place. Used CA and God only knows how it marred the inside of the turret in a spot no where close to the seam.



Out came the sanding stick, water and 1500 and 2500 grip paper....then the Gauzy stuff.

[jeff]

Any updates, Lyle? Nice save on the turret..
Jeff

[LyleW]

Not really. I soaked the turret in Windex and ISA to get the Gauzy removed so I could re-mask it. Seems to me, anyway, that the tape sticks better. I'll re-apply it when done. Landing gear sucks on this one. My issues due to woefully inadequate instructions. But, it is coming along slowly.

[jeff]

I must agree with you, the instructions do require a LOT of reading, and I also agree with you, about the mask thing, I am sold on the Kabuki tape, rather than the vinyl masks, I have seen on some other forums the odd disaster.... hang in there buddy, it will turn out well, just keep plugging away at it... I got my fuselage stitched together and am now trying to progress on the false canopy.... I think the end results of both yours and mine will be just fine.. I'm looking forward to your next installment...
Jeff

[LyleW]

I did manage to re-cut some turret masking from the "bones" of the Montex sheet. I'm sure your work will eclipse mine. I'm to th e point of "so what, just finish it".

[jkim]

Sorry to hear about the masking woes. I don't trust the Montex black vinyl masks on anything curved. Much better experiences using the Eduard yellow masks.

[LyleW]

Thanks, John! Not sure I’ll use them again, but the with the black material and white background, they can be scanned and run through the Silhouette Studio software and re-cut.