Hobby 2000 72010 - 1:72 TBF/TBM-1C Avenger - Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944

1:72 plastic model kit of the Grumman TBF/TBM-1C Avenger torpedo bomber

Hobby 2000 72010 is a self-assembly model of the Grumman Avenger carrier torpedo bomber in its -1C version, in a release devoted to the Battle of Leyte Gulf – the largest naval engagement of the Second World War, fought in October 1944.

The kit is based on Hasegawa plastic, to which Hobby 2000 has added a waterslide decal sheet printed by Cartograf and self-adhesive masks for the extensive canopy glazing.

The two marking options are aircraft number 353 of squadron VT-15 from the carrier USS Essex in November 1944 and an Avenger of squadron VC-10 from the escort carrier USS Gambier Bay, flown in October 1944 by Lt Cdr Edward J. Huxtable – a participant in the action of Taffy 3 off Samar.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues (Hasegawa tooling)
• Self-adhesive masks for the canopy glazing
• Waterslide decal sheet printed by Cartograf for 2 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 72010
• Manufacturer: Hobby 2000
• Assembled model length: approx. 173 mm
• Assembled wingspan: approx. 229 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The Avenger is a model with a moderate parts count and a solid, well-fitting airframe. The cockpit and gun turret interiors need the most attention – it is worth painting and finishing these areas before the fuselage halves are joined, as they become practically inaccessible afterwards. The clear parts of the long greenhouse canopy are far easier to paint using the included self-adhesive masks.

Both schemes use the US Navy tri-colour finish, quoted as FS37875, FS35164 and FS35042 – white undersides, intermediate blue sides and dark sea blue upper surfaces. Applying the decals over a gloss coat limits silvering, and a satin varnish makes a suitable final coat. Seat belts or turned metal pitot tubes, available separately in our shop, are worth considering to raise the level of detail.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel wash to bring out surface detail
• Gloss varnish for the decals and satin varnish for the final finish
• Decal softening solution

About the aircraft – Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger:

The Grumman TBF Avenger was the largest and heaviest single-engine carrier aircraft of the Second World War. It was designed to replace the obsolete Douglas TBD Devastator and the prototype flew on 1 August 1941. The design featured an internal bomb bay able to carry an aerial torpedo or up to 907 kg of bombs, a crew of three and a power-operated dorsal gun turret – a novel feature in an aircraft of this class at the time.

Its combat debut at the Battle of Midway in June 1942 was disastrous: of six aircraft sent out, one returned. The years that followed revealed the design's real potential. Avengers carried torpedoes, bombs, unguided rockets and depth charges, flew reconnaissance and hunted submarines. They delivered the fatal blows to the Japanese battleships Musashi and Yamato. The -1C version received two 12.7 mm machine guns in the wings in place of the single cowling-mounted gun, greatly increasing forward firepower.

Because Grumman's plants were committed to Hellcat fighter production, Avenger manufacture was transferred to General Motors' Eastern Aircraft division – hence the TBM designation on otherwise identical airframes. Close to 9800 aircraft were built in total. The type also served with the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and after the war it remained in service for many years in anti-submarine and airborne early warning versions.

Original aircraft specifications (TBF/TBM-1C Avenger):

• Length: 12.48 m
• Wingspan: 16.51 m (folding wings)
• Height: 4.70 m
• Empty weight: approx. 4780 kg
• Take-off weight: approx. 8100 kg
• Crew: 3 (pilot, turret gunner, radio operator/ventral gunner)
• Powerplant: Wright R-2600-8 Cyclone radial engine, approx. 1700 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 440 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 6800 m
• Range: approx. 1600 km
• Gun armament: 2 x 12.7 mm machine guns in the wings, 1 x 12.7 mm in the dorsal turret, 1 x 7.62 mm in the ventral position
• Offensive load: one Mark 13 aerial torpedo or up to 907 kg of bombs in the bomb bay
• Production: 1942-1945, approx. 9800 aircraft (Grumman and Eastern Aircraft)

About the manufacturer – Hobby 2000:

Hobby 2000 is a Polish model company based in Katowice that specialises in themed releases of plastic model kits. Its business model is built on cooperation with established kit manufacturers – the Hobby 2000 catalogue features plastic originating from Hasegawa, Fujimi, Dragon, Academy and Revell moulds, among others. This particular kit uses Hasegawa plastic. The added value of a Hobby 2000 release comes from newly researched decal sheets, its own assembly instructions and – in most aircraft kits – self-adhesive canopy masks included in the box as standard. The company is known for consistently choosing subjects that are poorly covered by the large manufacturers, with a particular focus on Polish and Eastern European stories. Releases are produced in limited runs, so sold-out items can be hard to find later on. For the modeller this means proven, well-developed tooling combined with carefully researched history and a generous choice of markings.