Finally got the replacement decals on the Avenger (THANKS, SWANNY !). They are the kit decals for the “Okinawa” version. I can’t say that there WAS a #307 with radar, but then again I can’t say there WASN’T ! Anyway, the correct-size decals and full stencils are MUCH better than what is supplied in the white-box issue of this kit.
The antenna has been broken off the rudder for the last time. I’ll be replacing it with steel rod.
I also managed to get the decals on my Tamiya Swordfish. Very few stencils. The kit decals were actually pretty good. Most Tamiya decals I’ve used are THICK, but these responded well to Micro Sol.
It probably won’t be long 'till these two are done, and I can resume work on the Stormovik.
I appreciate the opportunity to share my builds with you again !
Excellant! I love it…
But…Umm…The stars for the decals on the Avenger seemed to be cock-eye…Am i right? Im not trying to be picky. Because I dont now…[:I][8)][?]
No, the decals are placed correctly. Here’s a pic that shows the wing & fuselage. The leading edge of the wing is swept slightly. If you follow the panel line on the wing, you’ll see the straight line. The fuselage insignia were tilted in this manner on the Avenger. It was probably due to their size, and windows on the fuselage.
I don’t think I’d post a pic with misplaced decals, though. [B)]
I was kinda wondering when we’d see the next installment of your build progress - I just find these two subjects really interesting. They’re pretty unique planes. Keep up the good work man - the Avenger looks really sharp. Can’t wait to see the stringbag “strung”.
And like many others here - I appreciate a good pun.
By the way - these aren’t “Heller” kits - are they ?
pingtang - yes, I was surprised by the decals. Usually, they won’t conform to surface details even with copious amounts of solvent. They even went the extra mile to provide red centers for the roundels. The center decal for the instrument panel is awful, though. It fits the dials, but they are at an angle. Much better to apply them one at a time (which you find out only when its too late).
Bossman - it was only after I started these two projects that I noticed I was building two Allied torpedo planes. (Grinning and moaning at your “Heller” pun ! [(-D] )
Keyworth - the Avenger will be done shortly (panel line wash, dullcoat, final assembly), with the Swordfish soon after.
Lookin’ good, Pix! Hmmm… I have to remember about the rudder antenna when i put mine together! Oh, and i hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to use the interior shots you posted a while back as a painting guide for all the little details, when i get around to painting my TBF-1C… [:D]
Hmmm… is there someone that produces decals for the USS Intrepid’s Squadron of Avengers? If i remember correctly, they had a cross on the rudder…
shrikes - some of the detail painting is guesswork. I only had one color shot of an unrestored cockpit for reference. This is a TBM, manufactured by General Motors. TBFs, built by Grumman, had a Bronze Green cockpit. Avenger decals are scarce as hen’s teeth here in the U.S. right now (at least in all the on-line sites I searched), hence my problems finishing this bird. You may have better luck where you live. Hope so.
can anyone help me with decals also? i need some mpm bf 109 T decals, mine shattered for all 3 schemes, and it’s completed except for decals. washes, clear bits, weathering, no decals. thanks, (oh any set of 1/48 decals w/ swastika’s will work, thx)
Fantastic job Pix! Glad that your summer flu cleared up and you back in the
battlezone. The Avenger´s decals looks great and I see why Alcald2 Copper is
essential.
Thanks obiwan !
Although you really can’t see them in the pics, there are a lot of stencils on the Avenger. I didn’t have a placement guide, so I used an old build (that got trashed in moving) as reference. Even with magnification, it was tough to read the black lettering on the Sea Blue areas. That’s why it took me three days to decal the Avenger !
I really like the Alcad Copper on the Swordfish’s nose. Too bad I had to spend about $7 on a bottle of paint I’ll never finish (maybe I’ll start building sailing ships?).
The wash & Dullcoat went on the Avenger today. I’ll be adding the finishing touches & posting pics Sunday.
I’ll also be sealing the decals on the Swordfish, and cleaning up the seams on the Stormovik tomorrow. I may even paint the Stormovik, if I have enough time.
Well, I couldn’t find any color interior shots for an avenger cockpit, so your work is something of a godsend! I’m building mine for a 1/48 escort carrier that my local IPMS is building, so the interior is supposedly all Interior Green… Thanks once again for sharing your work with us! It’s always a pleasure to see something from your workbench! [:D]
thanks, (oh any set of 1/48 decals w/ swastika’s will work, thx)