Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

[Second Air Force]

Since the TBD got four votes in our earlier poll I've decided to give it the overhaul it desparately needs. This was built in 1980 from the old Monogram 1/48 kit complete with working wing-folds. I originally selected Lt. Cmdr. Waldron's VT-8 Devastator from the Battle of Midway as the color scheme.

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

Disassembly:

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

The paint took a LOT of acetone/alcohol mix and some oven cleaner to dislodge it. I seem to recall using Humbrol paint on this model in '80 and it was tough stuff! These photos show it after stripping and repainting the interior in the correct aluminum lacquer finish:

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

I'll be using two different aftermarket products to rebuild this. First is the just-released SAC landing gear kit. This is tailored to the new Great Wall Devastator but I'll be able to easily adapt it to the Monogram version.

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

The other aftermarket part is a Microscale decal sheet that is for both the TBD and Brewster Buffalo in USN service. This sheet is also of circa 1980 vintage and shows a list price on the instruction sheet of $2.50.

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

And here are a couple of pages the Fall 1979 Scale Modeler magazine with some nice photos of the TBD. My airplane, 6-T-16, is shown in a couple of period photos.

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

[No.1]

One of airplane I like, this one will be great

[Sall]

 

[Second Air Force]

It sounds like the U.S. Navy is going to have a TBD raised from the ocean off San Diego, California for possible restoration. I hope so as this is a favorite pre-war airplane of mine, too. It's too bad none survived on dry ground.

[Second Air Force]

The wing has been reassembled without the kit-provided wing fold. This thing is BIG!

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

[No.1]

[Sall]

Yes,really big and nice!

[Second Air Force]

Since I had the airbrush out for the Spit and '109 I sprayed the yellow stripes on the wings and cowling of the TBD. Next will be the black outline stripes and then the darker yellow upper wing paint. I've decided to spray the wing separately from the fuselage to ease masking and handling. Once the fuselage is complete I'll join it to the painted wing. The center-section joint will need some filling and sanding but this will be easy as there is a black walkway that will be painted afterwards.

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

[Sall]

 

[No.1]

Are you sure that your desk is large enough to accept all of your build Great work mate!

[Second Air Force]

Are you sure that your desk is large enough to accept all of your build Great work mate!

No, my desk is far too small. On the other hand, I have too many projects going at the same time so it isn't the desk's fault! My work area is shaped like an L and right now I have the Tiger I, SAAB B 17, TBD, Spit, Bf-109 and my Y1B-17 scattered about on the work surface. And then there is the ever growing collection of "stuff" that seems to grow like weeds in a garden. Every so often I have to stop everything and reorganize and I'm getting close to that stage right now.

[Second Air Force]

I've had a few days off from work so I've been trying to catch up on some of the projects that have grown dormant. The TBD is back in one piece again and the Squadron striping is being worked on again. The only hard part of this rebuild is getting the very colorful markings applied!

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild

[No.1]

[Sall]

Nice!

[Second Air Force]

Gosh, over a year since I last looked at the poor old TBD.......

I've started with some more painting on this over a cup of coffee. Once the stripes are all painted the tail will get the blue sprayed on.