Accurate Miniatures 1/48 TBF-1C Avenger | Full Build

Greetings everyone! I'm really excited to present the Accurate Miniatures TBF-1C Avenger from the battle of Truk Lagoon in 1/48 scale. This was a very nostalgic build for me, as I had made a fair number of these back in the early 2000s.
I need to give a huge shout out to Kevin and Janelle at Kit Masx for sending this kit and masks to me to build. You can get these masks and many more at kitmasx.com
kitmasx.com/products/academy-...
instagram: hammerheadmodelmaking
/ hammerheadmodelmaking
Also be sure to check out Stonehaven Miniatures!
www.stonehavenmini.com/

[@passwordbosco407]

My uncle Richard flew these in WWII. He and his crew were shot out of one and crashed landed another on the deck of their carrier. I built one of these a few years ago for him and he loved it. He's 102 now and still regales us with some of his war stories. Can't keep a good man down.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Woah, thats amazing, thanks for sharing!

[@appey67]

My friends make fun of me because every time I buy a model, I always say, "It's for a diorama." Of course, I have yet to build a diorama, but hope springs eternal! 😁 Great build.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Ha ha, yeah, I get that, I'm usually pretty good when I say I'm going to do one, it just may take more a while to get there.

[@russelloxford7118]

Your friends need to be patient. These masterpieces take time. It will look wonderful…..once you’re done.

[@Kairasp1]

A very well made kit, really it was fun watching you build this model. Cheers

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you enjoyed it! I had a lot of fun on this build.

[@kevinhedrich6026]

Fantastic build!! So glad to see it put together! Quite unlike my other one that has been half assembled for a few years😂!

[@andreaspenzkofer]

Thank you for 50 minutes of great entertainment. Great model, fantastic video.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MoonwalkerModels]

Excellent build Brett! Accurate Miniatures are good kits. I've built a few of the Mustangs. Trent gives you a big thumbs up on this one!! 😊

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you you too! Glad you both enjoyed it!

[@lorenzcassidy3960]

Outstanding work! A not very known bit of trivia: I "discovered" when I researched this a/c for my own build, is the that TBFs/TBMs in the tri-color scheme had the "Intermediate Blue" used only on the vertical stabilizer/rudder and the dorsal fin that connects the latter to the fuselage. All the other vertical surfaces and leading edges of the wings and horizontal tailplanes were painted with a "graded tone" obtained by spraying the Sea Blue directly over White: the resulting color was very similar but not identical to the Intermediate Blue painted parts proper. This difference was barely noticeable on new aircrafts and/or well maintained ones while it became virtually undistinguishable in more weathered ones. I don't have the foggiest idea about why it was decided to paint them in this way, but these are the facts... all Google-able with pictures and official painting schemes and guidelines of the era. Maybe they just wanted to complicate the life of future scale modelers... Who knows?😅 (It goes without saying that this is no criticism to your build in any way, shape or form. I just meant to offer this rather obscure bit of information on which I stumbled upon quite by chance for educational purposes only.🙂)

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats a really interesting bit of trivia! I didn't know any of that, thanks for sharing!!

[@lorenzcassidy3960]

@@HammerheadModelMaking My pleasure! Btw, wish me good luck as I'm going to enter my TBM-1C (VT-7, USS Hancock 1945) to the Moson2024 Int'l Scale Model Contest coming up this weekend (4/20-21). She will be surely shot down in flames by the competition, but who cares...🤷😅 All the best from Italy!👋

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

@@lorenzcassidy3960 Best of luck to you at your competition!!

[@lorenzcassidy3960]

@@HammerheadModelMaking Update: my TBM didn't make it to a prize in the competition, just as I predicted.😅 Oh well, it'll go better the next time.🤷‍♂ She received some positive feedback from other fellow modelers though and we've had a great time there, anyway.👍😁👍

[@adamcook5940]

Amazing work, thank you!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you like it!

[@brianquinlan8891]

Excellent build, excited to see whatever you decide to build next!!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!

[@ChuckD496]

Excellent job! It looks amazing!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@chriswilken2616]

I like how when you experience a issue with the decals or instructions you go to other forms of info you dont get all frustrated you just look at it as a learning experience and use it on other projects your not easily intimidated that way

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I really try to make sure I learn something new, even if its something really small or insignificant, its just more knowledge that might come in handy on future projects.

[@kg2995]

Nice work, thanks.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for watching!

[@septiccalling8341]

That's extraordinarily good! Really interesting to watch and such a thing of beauty in the end. 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@tonygary7611]

Nicely done👍👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks 👍

[@mets1617]

amazing job. love it.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you so much 😀

[@normansmith8184]

Another supreme piece of work Brett. And the Accurate Miniatures really are what they say. I really like the Avenger and have a thought to twin one with my Hellcat (yet to build) for my Leyte Gulf tribute. Respect from England sir.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Those two would look great together!!

[@richmacer2108]

Really enjoyed this one, thanks. In many ways that kit looks very similar to the Accurate Miniatures kit. (which I have still to finish after all this time..) Thanks to your little video I may dig it out!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mnikb4217]

Nice job and excellent work

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@danwilliams1686]

Wow, this is a fantastic build! One of the best i have ever seen and definitely your best video yet. Keep up the good work.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I really appreciate that, thank you so much!!!

[@madlenellul3430]

Stunning.. thank you.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Many thanks!

[@leonardogarcia4502]

Excellent!!!! Thank You!!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you liked it!

[@olivierdebing7585]

Just amazing tuto👌🏻😉thanks

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you liked it!

[@jameslarosa2396]

That looks fabulous especially the three tone paint job.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dekon70]

Looks great!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!

[@bobholmstrom786]

Beautifully executed!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you kindly!

[@eliredacted1663]

Have this model coming in the mail soon because of this video. Avenger is one of my fav torpedo bombers so thank you for convincing me to build my own one

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Awesome! Great choice!

[@briankirwan6958]

Amazing result and great video. I only discovered AM recently and share your enthuasim. Thanks

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Awesome, thank you!

[@joesanchez979]

Looks great 😊

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lagg-alot8308]

Great build. I ordered the kit. I did the revel kit when I was a kid. I love this plane.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Nice, I think you'll enjoy it.

[@markc7002]

Your figure painting is exceptional!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Much appreciated!

[@darthhokum]

Fantastic work 👍👍👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@raymondserafin9396]

Great.Build when you like how you paint it.The different blue and Gray nice kit.Have to pick one that goes up always enjoy watching your videos keep up the good work

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@BlackAndBluez]

Awesome as usual mate!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@themodellingmuppet]

Excellent work 👏

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ScottysScaleStudio]

One of my absolute favorite aircraft, and you do a superb job on the painting, construction, assembly, narrative and video! Thank you, Brett, for bringing it all together. It is a tremendously large and impressive aircraft, especially on the ground...got the chance to check one out up close at the 70 years of flight, at Nellis AFB many years ago and to watch if flyby, low and slow was damned impressive.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you for watching! Yeah, I can only imagine how big they are in person, I'd love to see one one day!

[@themapmaker5374]

Great build, loved it!!! I built one of these back when they were first released by Accurate Miniatures. I recall how in Aww I was on the amount of detail and the crispness of it all. These kits set a new standard in that regard. They were amazing for that time. I also purchased their B-25 kit when it was first released, which I still have in my stash (with a bunch of after-market stuff for it). It was $50 MSRP. That was a lot of money for a 1/48 model kit back then. Perhaps I’ll finally build it some day before I leave this world.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Oh yeah, the AM B-25s are still solid kits, I have a few in the stash, both originals and reboxes, hoping to get to a few of them this year!

[@ladyknieval]

I had never heard of Accurate Miniatures until about 2001 shortly after I came back to the hobby. I'll have to check out one of their kits.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

That was about when AM was in its prime. Now you usually find their stuff on Ebay for decent prices.

[@iannicholls7476]

Very nice job! Like you, I built this many years ago (in the Atlantic scheme). I think it was the first model I painted with an airbrush. I’ve just picked up another one to see if I have improved at all so this is very timely.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Nice! The Atlantic scheme is really underrated, I need to do one!

[@sentimentalbloke185]

great job

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@Picture_Purrfect]

awesome build!!!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@brunocostard936]

Very very good job

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@alvinsmith5346]

I have the exact same kit (Academy re-box) and I added an Eduard Photo-etch set to it. The mask that are included are nice and I especially like the included torpedo. Mask and the torpedo is what sold me and the price was less expensive than the one without the masks and torpedo! I was thinking of adding some tubing for the hollowed wing guns. Great work!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Sounds like you got a great version of the kit!

[@dickaldor]

Im in a hole buildwise and don´t get anything done since like January, but watching this makes me want to get that kit out and follow along. Thanks for a great video Sir! :)

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Yeah, I know what its like to be in a modeling hole, but I'm glad this video can provide a little inspiration! It was a fun build and I would totally recommend it! Thanks for watching!

[@grantmiller6570]

That's a great kit.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@goforitpainting]

Looks cool 🛩

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!

[@adamanddadmathieson4689]

Fantastic build! I'm sure I have a float plane version from GWH in my stash, must dig it out. Best regards from sunny Scotland, well , a very damp Scotland! Paul

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I didn't know they made a float pane version of the Avenger, thats cool!

[@adamanddadmathieson4689]

My bad, it's a TBD Devastator

[@truthhurts9241]

Hi Brett, I think many Ooohs and Aaahs are in order. What a lovely build and talk through, I do enjoy your videos and, if it was a long one, well we just got more enjoyment for longer. Win win. I've just become a supporter of your channel, (Thanks for making it easy) so please may I make a request? Pretty please with a cherry on top, could you resume showing us where you add your little Hammerhead decal on your models. I used to really like that bit where you sneaked it in. It's a bit like your Tag, "Brett made me." Anyway, thanks again. My regards, Ian.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I really appreciate the support Ian!!! And yes, I will go back to showing where I put the Hammerhead Decals! Thanks for reminding me!

[@paulking8235]

Wow, fantastic build, great commentary and no music, yay.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tomalexander4835]

thats a hell of a TBF!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Many thanks!

[@victorbloom8286]

Recall that color zinc chromate in the old days

[@torpeodo-nz133]

I watched this as I built my Eduard Zero, such a great video!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Oh right on!

[@DSOImager]

Beautiful!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@kiwiruna9077]

Brett, She looks so good. Given that we (RNZAF) flew them your build is timely as I need to add one to the stash for a future Kiwi project, many notes taken, What Ive found with the Academy reboxing they are generally quite a bit cheaper than the likes of the Revell rebox of the same kit.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats interesting, I would imagine the Academy boxing would have better decals as well.

[@paulcorrigan649]

Hi Brett. Meng's 1/35 Whippet utilises plastic parts that need bending. This is lovely. The detail is great

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for the info, and thanks for watching!

[@jameshall1300]

I just sold one of those kits not too long ago. Kind of wish I hadn't now 😂. Looks great.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Oh no!

[@marcusaureliusantoninusaug2161]

Another very nice build! I admire your handling of the Ammo Acrylics, after 3 years of trying I gave up on them and went back to lacquers. Maybe you could do a tutorial one day on how you thin and handle the Ammo/ Vallejo paints.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats a good idea, I've had other people as for something similar, I'll work on that!

[@freemanreed5228]

Great job, love your show. I am into putting pilot figures in now, instead of just seat belts, which are kinda fiddly to put together anyway. I think it gives the airplane a lot of character and provides some scale about how big these planes really were. Unfortunately, a lot of manufacturers don't include good, quality pilots anymore.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I agree, I try to include a figure of some sort with as many builds as I can, like you said, helps to show the true scale of these machines.

[@alansmith8837]

Not a critisism but a bit more light on reveal. Great vid.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@chrissakal532]

Grumman was kind of all over the place with interior colors from 1943 into '44. The bronze green had previously been used on the F4F Wildcat and was also used on early F6F-3s. The idea was to use up existing paint stocks before transitioning to the new stuff. From what I remember, on the TBM General Motors went all interior green. Also from what I remember, the purpose of the bronze green was to reduce glare in the cockpit.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Interesting, thanks for sharing the additional info!!

[@neilhaas]

Very nice kit build aircraft nice plane TBF-1C Avenger i like this aircraft. ❤😊🤩😁😀🤗🤝🇺🇲🇺🇸

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks a lot!

[@lesthiele4921]

That waas a absolutely outstanding build, it was a kit that was ahead of the times when they came out, congratulations on a job very well done, best regards from Australia, Les

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much Les, thanks for watching all the way from Australia.

[@voodoonights1671]

Great build and lovely attention to detail. I will have to build this later this year. Thanks for the great vids and all the work involved.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks 👍Enjoy your build!

[@planetastic8522]

Hey Brett! Love the build! I was wondering what your opinions on revell kits are? I find them kind of hard to work with and slightly lacking in detail but wanted a second opinion.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Hey thanks, my opinion on Revell kits is pretty low. And it has more to do with their business practices than it does their models, so mini rant incoming: My primary issue with Revell is that their main business model revolves around reboxing other kits, with out either giving credit to the original manufacturer, or without noting that it might be an OLD tooling. They are selling kits, with shiny new box art, that were tooled in the 60s and full modern prices. So, you can imagine, a new modeler seeing the fancy box art thinking that it would be a cool kit to build, only to spend their money and open the box a find the worst fitting, flash filled piece of junk. This might be similar to your experience. The caveat to this is that they occasionally rebox decent kits, but with out doing online research, the average consumer has no way of knowing. Additionally, the new kits that they do come out with (which are few and far between), tend to be lack luster. Specifically, I think of the 1/48 SR-71 they released a few years ago. By all accounts, the fit is pretty bad on it. Which is a shame. So, in general, I recommend to avoid Revell kits if possible.

[@planetastic8522]

@@HammerheadModelMaking Thanks for the opinion! I stopped making revell kits a few months ago after I did their P-61 Black Widow. Since then, I’ve started branching out to higher quality equipment and model brands. I’ve used a lot of your techniques and practices to level up my model making, and it really has made a difference. You are so simple to learn from because you go so in depth in your techniques. Thanks!

[@John-vi4ys]

Truly amazing, you are an inspiration. I am new to the hobby and am building a 1/24 Dehavilland Beaver float plane. It’s a basic rough kit that is giving me a chance to try some scratch building, which I am enjoying. Does anyone know if there is somewhere I can find a 3 bladed prop and nose cone for this scale? Along with a pilot that doesn’t look like they are military. I’ve been looking but not having any luck.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you, and welcome to the hobby. A 1/24 Beaver float plane would be impressive, but I'm afraid I wasn't able to find any props that match your description. You might try 3D printing websites, same with the pilot.

[@BigBlueZP]

Eduard has some bending plastic parts. It's how the gear doors worked on the MiG-21

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Interesting! Good to know, I've got one of those in the stash.

[@jozuavanlangenhove6586]

Nice build, which airbrush thinner do you use for your acrylic paints?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I typically use Tamiys X-20 for thinning my acrylics. Works good with Vallejo and MiG.

[@simonmowatt]

I believe Eduard's new 1/72 Bf109s have folding plastic for the flaps.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Very cool!

[@davidsakal449]

Beautiful model! What did you thin the semi gloss with?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I thinned it with Tamiya X-20 Thinner.

Love the look of the light wash on top. I’ll be building an Academy Bearcat soon and it will have the same glossy blue all over. I really love the Flory washes. Do you think the Flory “Light” or “Dust” wash would have the same effect as what you did? If so, any idea which one you think would be better?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Yeah, I think either the Light or Dust wash would work just fine for the darker upper surface of your Bearcat.

Thanks! If you had to pick which one do you think you would go with? The Bearcat will be the same dark blue on top and bottom.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

If you have both on hand I would start with the Dust, then if it doesn't stand out enough go with the light.

Thank you. I don’t have either but I guess I’ll buy both, they aren’t that expensive. Thanks again!

[@lagg-alot8308]

Where did you get the resin weighted wheels from? I'm looking for a torpedo kit as well.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I got the wheels off of SpruBrothers.com, but it looks like it is currently out of stock: spruebrothers.com/defds48001-1-48-def-model-tbm-tbf-3-avenger-front-wheel-set-aca-acm-kit/ As for a torpedo, the Avengers could carry the Mk. 13 torpedo, I believe Eduard makes them.

[@Dragon_Werks]

Absolutely Stunning work as usual. You've given me a modicum of inspiration to build one of the Avengers in my stash and (hopefully) not screw it up too bad. I have a Lt. George H.W. Bush boxing + a Night Avenger boxing. I need a correct external tail hook + radar pod w/ bomb shackle to turn the -3D Night Avenger into a -3E.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Oh nice, that will be a cool build!

[@ronbaning5278]

Excellent work, really like your dialog. Not a fan of alot of the background music on some of the other channels.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@paulcorrigan649]

Hi Brett. Can I ask what the citadel wash you used on the exhaust was called please?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I usually use Agrax Earthshade and Nuln Oil.

[@dalesmith924]

What kind of hand brushes do you use for fine details?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I just get the cheap variety packs from Michaels, I've never been one to spend a lot of money on brushes.

[@deinelof]

💀👍🏻

[@Poopster4U]

I had flaking issues with Alclad gloss black base @ 9:05, has anyone had this issue?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats surprising, are you getting paint flaking off of the primer, or primer flaking off of bare plastic?

[@Poopster4U]

@@HammerheadModelMaking Primer flaking off the plastic! No idea why! I guess something on the plastic that prevents the paint sticking.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Interesting, yeah, it sounds like maybe something is left on the plastic before priming?

[@gene5572]

This kit is next to built it is an old accurate miniature 480120 avenger TBF/M kit,will like to know if mask kit would work on this also, just sub to your channel!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Yes, the masking set should work for any Accurate Miniatures TBF/M kit, as far as I know, there were no changes to the window configuration throughout the run. Thank you for the sub!!

[@gene5572]

thank you for this video on the avenger

[@Darrin_ModelGeek]

Those National insignias were sprayed, they’re not decals??? 🤔

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

You've got a great eye, I had to replace two of the insignias with decals since I bungled the stencils for them.

[@10Ronaldinho80best]

It is soooooo glossy... But fantastic work!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Yeah, normally these paintjobs would quickly fade and wear down in the pacific sun, but since this particular aircraft was kept in good condition, I decided to keep a little of the shine.

[@10Ronaldinho80best]

@@HammerheadModelMaking well, anyway, it looks ultra cool! Bravo 👏

[@NothingNowhere-vu5oq]

Putting the transparent sprue into the chuck of a drill motor will produce a really nice shape for the light.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Great Idea, I'll have to try that next time!