Trumpeter 1/32 Avenger
By Tony O'Toole
Here's my Trumpeter Avenger built up as a Fleet Air Arm Mk II of 854 NAS on HMS Illustrious that took part in the Sumatra raids and actually shot down a Japanese `Tojo' fighter that was attacking another Avenger, with its front guns, hence the kill marking!the Observers cockpit was converted with a seat from a Wildcat, scratch built chart table, instrument panel and radar console whilst the blisters on the side windows came from a Monogram B-29 (THANKS BOB) and the straps on both observers and pilots' seats are Sutton harnesses from MDC!
Also I mentioned that the aircraft - JZ186- Q/ 4B of 854 NAS from HMS Illustrious in late 1944 to early 1945 took part in attacks on Sumatra when in fact it actually took part in the `Operation Meridian 2' attack upon Palembang and it was here that it shot down one of two `Tojos' that were attacking Avenger `P1G' of 849 NAS, in the hands of Lt. G.J. Connolly. I also forgot to mention that the model was hand brush painted using Polyscale and Xtracrylic paints, the decals came from various decal sheets such as Model Aircraft Monthly magazines recent BPF sheet in 1/48th for the letters and Techmod's 1/32nd Hellcat sheet for the roundels etc, as I had a huge problem with the roundels in the Eagle Strike Avenger sheet due to them lifting up and peeling off! The side blisters came from a Monogram 1/48th B29 kit.
© Tony O`Toole 2006
This article was published on Friday, September 27 2013; Last modified on Saturday, May 14 2016