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Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2026 9:06 am
by Gary Brantley
That Avenger build is looking great, Mike! 
That's a beautiful cockpit, dude. 
You're going to like those KitMasx canopy masks! 
Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2026 12:13 pm
by speedgraflex
This is what modern model building looks like. Bravo, Mike! It’s a whole different way of assembly, with better colors and decals. Thanks so much for sharing; in particular the way you use marker over base to recreate zinc chromatic is superb. I feel like I need to experiment more. Bravo, bravo!
Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2026 1:55 pm
by Brandons_Iron
The Avenger is one of my favourite planes alongside the Helldiver. I know they weren't all that great, but they look cool. I have a couple of the Avenger (AM) in the stash, 2 PM Helldivers and a GWH Devastator. I want to build them all right now, but the Dauntless has to get done first. Looking forward to see more of this.
Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2026 7:32 pm
by Medicman71
BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2026 7:49 am
That's a really nice Dauntless build, Mike!
I have 2 Dauntless kits - Academy and Accurate Miniatures and the Avenger kit in my stash. I believe my Avenger is the Academy Battle of Leyete boxing.
If you ever get a chance to build a Helldiver, get the Revell ProModeller boxing. Comes with PE dive flaps option. I really enjoyed the Helldiver kit.
I need to add the Vindictator, Devastator, and another Wildcat & Hellcat to my stash.
That Dauntless sucks. That one may get binned it's so bad. The fit is just horrible everywhere.
Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2026 9:09 am
by Stuart
That's a great looking Avenger Mike. I have to say that your paint-pen interiors look excellent, you've really got that technique down.
Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2026 12:38 am
by Impisi
That's some fine details on the Avenger. The Dauntless looks nice.
Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2026 7:44 am
by BlackSheep214
Medicman71 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 7:32 pm
BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2026 7:49 am
That's a really nice Dauntless build, Mike!
I have 2 Dauntless kits - Academy and Accurate Miniatures and the Avenger kit in my stash. I believe my Avenger is the Academy Battle of Leyete boxing.
If you ever get a chance to build a Helldiver, get the Revell ProModeller boxing. Comes with PE dive flaps option. I really enjoyed the Helldiver kit.
I need to add the Vindictator, Devastator, and another Wildcat & Hellcat to my stash.
That Dauntless sucks. That one may get binned it's so bad. The fit is just horrible everywhere.
Can't be as bad as the first edition Eduard FW-190 A-6....
Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2026 10:20 am
by Medicman71
No. That was way worse.
Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2026 2:12 pm
by mustang1989
Dang Mike. Snuck this one by me bud. I just love these old Accurate Miniatures molds as they sure build up into a fine ending result.
Sorry to hear about the Dauntless as I love a good SBD build too.
Re: Academy 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2026 2:16 pm
by mustang1989
BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2026 7:44 am
Medicman71 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 7:32 pm
That Dauntless sucks. That one may get binned it's so bad. The fit is just horrible everywhere.
Can't be as bad as the first edition Eduard FW-190 A-6....
Those kits did indeed have their flaws. So much so that there was a good amount of published "tricks" to make them a little easier to build. I've got the information somewhere but I ended up building one of those first edition 190's. Once I found out the fixes for the engine firewall and wing root gap issues as well as straightening out the warped wings, it actually ended up not being all that bad.
