This auction is for the Airfix Grumman TBM-3 Avenger Carrier Torpedo Bomber, kit # 297, kit in 1/72 scale.
There are no decals in this kit.
I recently acquired a number of model kits that had been damaged in a basement waterpipe leak. The owner was just going to chuck them, but I took them off his hands. The boxes display staining of varying degrees, ranging from hardly noticeable to significant. The good news is that most are complete; most instruction sheets are unblemished – all are readable. Perfect for the builder at a major discount. Collector? Pass them by. Builder? Snap them up before they’re gone. Classic kits at a major discount.
Grumman's first torpedo bomber was the heaviest single-engined aircraft of World War II, and only the USAAF's P-47 Thunderbolt came close to equaling it in maximum loaded weight among all single-engined fighters, being only some 400 lb lighter than the TBF, by the end of World War II. The Avenger had a large bomb bay, allowing for one Bliss-Leavitt Mark 13 torpedo, or a single 2,000 pound bomb, or up to four 500 pound bombs.
Six Avengers were present on Midway Island as a detachment of Torpedo Squadron 8, while the rest of the squadron flew Douglas TBD Devastators from the aircraft carrier Hornet. Both types of torpedo bombers suffered heavy casualties. Out of the six Avengers, five were shot down and the other returned heavily damaged with one of its gunners killed, and the other gunner and the pilot injured. On 24 August 1942, the next major naval aircraft carrier battle occurred at the Eastern Solomons. Based on the carriers Saratoga and Enterprise, the 24 Avengers present were able to sink the Japanese light carrier Ryujo and claim one dive bomber, at the cost of seven aircraft. The first major "prize" for the Avengers was at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942, when Marine Corps and Navy Avengers helped sink the Japanese battleship Hiei, which had been crippled the night before. After the "Marianas Turkey Shoot,” in June 1944, Avengers from the Independence-class light aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) sank the light carrier Hiyo.
In June 1943, future-President George H. W. Bush was commissioned as the youngest naval aviator at the time. Later, while flying a TBM with VT-51 (from USS San Jacinto), his Avenger was shot down on 2 September 1944 over the Pacific island of Chichi Jima. However, he released his payload and hit the radio tower target before being forced to bail out over water. Both of his crewmates died. He was rescued at sea by the American submarine Finback. He later received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Another famous Avenger aviator was Paul Newman, who flew as a rear gunner. He had hoped to be accepted for pilot training, but did not qualify because he was color blind. Newman was on board the escort carrier USS Hollandia roughly 500 miles from Japan when the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
The Avenger played a key role in the the sinking of the two Japanese "super battleships,” Musashi and Yamato. Musashi was detected trying to enter Leyte Gulf in October 1944. After being initially attacked by Curtiss Helldiver dive bombers, Musashi was struck starboard amidships by a torpedo from an Avenger from USS Intrepid. The ship took on 3,000 tons of water and a 5.5-degree list to starboard that was later reduced to 1 degree by counterflooding compartments on the opposite side. In the next attack, nine Avengers attacked from both sides of the ship, scoring three torpedo hits on the port side. The ship was then attacked by 29 aircraft from fleet carriers USS Essex and USS Lexington. Musashi was hit by four more torpedoes, three of which were forward of Turret No. 1, causing extensive flooding with the bow down by 4 meters. Two hours later, Avengers from USS Enterprise hit Musashi with three more torpedoes, opening up her starboard bow and reducing her speed to 13 knots. Finally, Musashi was attacked by 37 aircraft from USS Intrepid, USS Franklin and the light carrier USS Cabot. The ship was hit by 11 more torpedoes during this attack. By the time she capsized and sank, Musashi had been struck by an estimated total of 19 torpedoes and 17 bombs.
Yamato was caught in April 1945 sailing to do battle with US forces invading Okinawa. In the first attack, a single torpedo struck Yamato far forward on her port side, sending shock waves throughout the ship. Shortly afterward, up to three more torpedoes struck Yamato. Two impacts, on the port side near the engine room and on one of the boiler rooms, leaving the battleship listing 5–6° to port. In a coordinated strike, the second attack featured dive bombers flying high overhead to begin their runs while torpedo bombers approached from all directions at just above sea level. Overwhelmed by the number of targets, the battleship's anti-aircraft guns were ineffective. Three or four torpedoes struck the battleship on the port side and one to starboard. Three hits were close together on the port side; one struck a fire room that had already been hit, one impacted a different fire room, and the third hit the hull adjacent to a damaged outboard engine room, increasing the water flow into that space and possibly flooding nearby locations. This attack left Yamato in a perilous position, listing 15–18° to port. The third and most damaging attack developed at about 13:40. Most serious were four more torpedo impacts. Three exploded on the port side, increasing water flow into the port inner engine room and flooding yet another fire room and the steering gear room. With the auxiliary steering room already under water, the ship lost maneuverability and became stuck in a starboard turn. The fourth torpedo most likely hit the starboard outer engine room, which, along with three other rooms on the starboard side, was being counterflooded to reduce the port list. The torpedo strike accelerated the rate of flooding and trapped many crewmen. Yamato then capsized and sank after being hit by at least 11 torpedoes and six bombs.
This is the original 1966 release of this classic. The boxart features the timeless work of Roy Cross, the greatest of all the Airfix artists. Roy just recently turned 100 years old. Sadly, he passed away the very next day. The box itself is structurally sound with no rips or tears. In Airfix-speak, this kit is a Series 2 Kit issued in a Type 3b Box and Logo. The end panels show heavy staining (see photos). The instructions are in good shape. The decals were damaged beyond repair.
There are no decals in this kit.
USA Bidders only. Buyer pays shipping and handling of $10.95 for priority mail shipping and delivery confirmation. All sales are final – if you have an issue you wish to discuss, please contact me.
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