Small Scale Military Headquarters

Why doesn't anyone make a Grumman TBF in anything other than 1:72??? I have to think it would be a huge seller.

they made them in 1:18, Walmart used to stock dozens of them.

So 1/72, I/48(kits) and even 1:18

Trumpeter makes a kit in 1/32, but they are pricey with LOTS of little parts to lose during the build.

I'm sure kits are out there. I'm looking for pre-builts. My eyesight isnt' up to building detailed kits anymore.

I imagine 21st getting to one before they went belly up. They often mirrored their 1:18 models into 1:32, or vice versa.

Would have liked to have seen the TBF Avenger, Helldiver, maybe even a TBD Devastator (someone is supposed to be doing a 1:32 model kit of it though in the future)

As well as the Japanese counterparts, the Val, Judy, Kate etc. (Admiral did a prototype 1:32 Kate)
I don't see it happening in pre-built though. Best bet is the model kits.

I want that Trumpeter TBF, but I need a little warm up building something less involved before I get one. It is nice. Here's one built by someone at Hyperscale: http://hsfeatures.com/features04/tbf32jl_1.htm

http://cgi.ebay.com/US-Navy-Grumman-TBM ... ltDomain_0

110+ bucks, I can't believe Trump's price on their new A/C, but then the planes they choose to make in 1/32 are huge.

And the upcoming Revell Heinkel is going to be 100 vs the Ju 88A which was 70, I got mine for 60 shipped on ebay.

still crazy prices IMO.

Dauntless wrote:I imagine 21st getting to one before they went belly up. They often mirrored their 1:18 models into 1:32, or vice versa.

Would have liked to have seen the TBF Avenger, Helldiver, maybe even a TBD Devastator (someone is supposed to be doing a 1:32 model kit of it though in the future)

As well as the Japanese counterparts, the Val, Judy, Kate etc. (Admiral did a prototype 1:32 Kate)
I don't see it happening in pre-built though. Best bet is the model kits.

I want that Trumpeter TBF, but I need a little warm up building something less involved before I get one. It is nice. Here's one built by someone at Hyperscale: http://hsfeatures.com/features04/tbf32jl_1.htm

That is a beautiful model!
I, too, am an Avenger fan & have the 3 different schemes 21st produced...Would love to see it pre-built in 1/32, BBI would have been the perfect ones to do it to go along side their Dauntlass & Wildcat...

A prebuilt Avenger in 1:32 is badly needed. My guess as to why we have not seen one yet is due to the complexity of the aircraft - turret, bomb bay, folding wings, interior, etc.

The 21c 1:18 model was the most complex aircraft they ever made, and in terms of QC issues, they barely got it. It would be even more difficult to make a prebuilt 1:32 version and keep the same level of functionality. Something like the wing folding would likely have to go to keep some integrity to the model.

I easily could give up the folding wings option. With both the 21st and BBI 1:18 models there was always the persistent sagging of the wings problems anyways.

Most models you build give you the either or option. I'd rather have one with wings out if I had to choose, though it would be nice to have retractable landing gear or have the option of an easy gear up or down without gluing it permanently.

Since I have to hang all my planes anyway, I'm not against a pre-built Avenger having fixed wings as BBI did with their 1/32. The Trumpeter kit I have will probably need its wings locked so I can suspend it.

And I too am all for a Devastator. I had the 1/48 Monogram kit back in Ye Olde Days™.

I would take it either way. If I had two versions of the TBF, one with fixed folded and one with fixed extended wings, I'd probably buy both! Something for some smart model maker to consider.

it seems if you want anything in 1/32 you will have t o bye the kit and make it yourself or pay some one to make it for you.

As has been pointed out.The Avenger has been done in 1/72, and 1/18.

Lots of other aircraft still to be done in 1/32, and 1/48, that would be more popular than the Avenger.

But this is the problem with diecast.Less selection than the kits.

Just the way it is.If it is popular enough, it will be done at some point.

456THBG wrote:

Dauntless wrote:I imagine 21st getting to one before they went belly up. They often mirrored their 1:18 models into 1:32, or vice versa.

Would have liked to have seen the TBF Avenger, Helldiver, maybe even a TBD Devastator (someone is supposed to be doing a 1:32 model kit of it though in the future)

As well as the Japanese counterparts, the Val, Judy, Kate etc. (Admiral did a prototype 1:32 Kate)
I don't see it happening in pre-built though. Best bet is the model kits.

I want that Trumpeter TBF, but I need a little warm up building something less involved before I get one. It is nice. Here's one built by someone at Hyperscale: http://hsfeatures.com/features04/tbf32jl_1.htm

That is a beautiful model!
I, too, am an Avenger fan & have the 3 different schemes 21st produced...Would love to see it pre-built in 1/32, BBI would have been the perfect ones to do it to go along side their Dauntlass & Wildcat...

Is BBI dead as well?

I would say and hope BBI is just dormant for now. They are our best hope for plastic pre-built 1:32.

snake wrote:As has been pointed out.The Avenger has been done in 1/72, and 1/18.

Lots of other aircraft still to be done in 1/32, and 1/48, that would be more popular than the Avenger.

But this is the problem with diecast.Less selection than the kits.

Just the way it is.If it is popular enough, it will be done at some point.

Snake, what do you think would be more popular? Staying with single engine; I'd like to see the TBF, TBD...what else in USN? Lots of Japanese but we probably won't see them unless we go with the hated Marushin.

In USAAF I'd like to see a good Razorback P-47. Lots of Russians that probably won't happen.

Just curious what you'd like to see.

zzzippper wrote:

snake wrote:As has been pointed out.The Avenger has been done in 1/72, and 1/18.

Lots of other aircraft still to be done in 1/32, and 1/48, that would be more popular than the Avenger.

But this is the problem with diecast.Less selection than the kits.

Just the way it is.If it is popular enough, it will be done at some point.

Snake, what do you think would be more popular? Staying with single engine; I'd like to see the TBF, TBD...what else in USN? Lots of Japanese but we probably won't see them unless we go with the hated Marushin.

In USAAF I'd like to see a good Razorback P-47. Lots of Russians that probably won't happen.

Just curious what you'd like to see.

Well it depends on who is making it.Big difference between 21 Century, and Corgi or HM.I really wish that BBI would do some more 1/32.Have their F-4 Phantom, F-4 Wildcat, and SBD Dauntless.

For models not done by anybody in 1/32, I would have to go with.

Hawker Typhoon/Tempest.
Il-2 Sturmovik.
P-38
F-6 Hellcat.

And I am still waiting for a high end 1/32 FW-190 A/D., F-4U Corsair, and P-47.

Good choices. Typhoon/Tempest for sure. I love the 1:72 Beaufighter (I think by HM) and wish someone would make it in 1:48 or 1:32. I would also like a Black Widow.

Don't forget the P-40E/N.

The many overlooked Japanese Army and Navy aircraft would be cool.

There's some cool 1:32 Jap fighters out there, and some older discontinued kits outrageously priced.

I don't think anybody's made a Kate, Val, Judy or Rufe in a 1:32 model kit form.

Revell made a 1/32 Typhoon kit. Presently it's in my stack of models to build...... I made two 1/32 Wildcat kits in order to have one with wings up for below deck and one with wings in flying position. It looks good next to BBI's Wildcat.

Revell makes a 1/32 P38 and Hasekawa (sp) makes a 1/32 Hellcat. These too are in my stack of models to build.

[CAT]CplSlade wrote:Since I have to hang all my planes anyway, I'm not against a pre-built Avenger having fixed wings as BBI did with their 1/32. The Trumpeter kit I have will probably need its wings locked so I can suspend it.

And I too am all for a Devastator. I had the 1/48 Monogram kit back in Ye Olde Days™.

I had the 1/48 Monogram kit back in Ye Olde Days™.

the dark blue plastic? which you could fold the wings, position the landing gear, open and close the bomb bay and move the rear turret? I have the remains of one in a box of shattered dreams from the early days of kit building for me, kit was broken on a move, but it was so unique with all it's options i kept the remains.