TJTX Posted September 23, 2019 Share Posted September 23, 2019 I blame Ernie, I blame him entirely for this adventure. If it goes well, he can take all the credit. If it goes wrong, well.... I felt like I was in a rut, nothing I built stood out and I felt as though I wasnt progressing anymore in the hobby. Then I saw Ernie's Lanc in person. It was beautiful, inspiring, and I knew what direction I needed to go. Modifying a kit to make it my own, one that no one else has. Initially i thought about a TWA B-17, but that big of a build just isnt "me". Then I saw it and knew instantly what the build was. A big ugly, ungainly, yet mesmerizing fire bomber. The TBM Avenger converted to a firebomber. There are a few decal sets out there but both of companies and schemes that did not work for me. I wanted something iconic and Conair is that. They are a company deeply rooted in Canadian aviation and firebombing in general. So, this is my attempt to bring some more Canadian aviation history to light down here in the lower 48. Thankfully, I have an agent with some connections up in Canada to help this poor American find the answers he needs, and it ain't Martin! Jeff has been an absolutely invaluable resource in helping me track down information for this build and he has just scratched the surface so far! Once I can compile the information I've gotten I will strive to share it here along with my build. We have the complete history of my chosen airframe, and we are in contact with some people that may have some absolutely amazing photos and information for us. I can not thank Jeff enough for all the energy he has already provided and I emplore him to chime in as much as he'd like to share information in this thread. I also ask for any and all help from everyone going forward to make this one to be proud of. The base kit will be Trumpeters Avenger. Mark was kind enough to work out a trade with me for it and I thank him very much for helping out! Also below is the chosen subject. CF-IMK as it was when flown by Conair. I need to convert it from US Navy, to RCN to Conair. I HOPE to have her at Nationals, but this is a very complex conversion for me and I will not rush it. Again, any and all advice and information will be immensely appreciated. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazypoet Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 This is utterly awesome!!! Have fun and learn much - I look forward to watching this develop 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Oh yeah man ! Awesome........harv 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted September 24, 2019 Administrators Share Posted September 24, 2019 Tony, this is AWESOME, and I'm glad you're doing it. You'll clobber this one out of the park. One thing to think about. Regarding the RCN turtledeck modifications. There are ZERO conversions out there, so if you are thinking of developing one, consider working with someone to make it available commercially. Much like the RCAF Lanc, there's plenty of takers out there assuming the special bits are available. I was and still am considering the iconic RCN sub hunters of the 50's for my Avenger of choice. These aircraft had service lives far, far beyond what Grumman or the Navy had dreamed even in their wildest dreams. Like a DC-3, the Avenger found it's niche and the only replacement for an Avenger was another Avenger. Slow, uncomfortable, ugly, and noisy, but it'd carry anything you could load into it, and do it again and again and again and again. If it just had one more engine it would have been the perfect firebomber. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1to1scale Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Something else to consider, get yourself a vaccuform machine, carve some plugs out of balsa, or maybe make your own resin mold. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJTX Posted September 25, 2019 Author Share Posted September 25, 2019 Ernie, I think that's a neat idea. However, I've actually not had much luck in the help department thus far with that type of stuff on another project so this will be my own thing I believe. My current plan as of now is to try and build the back end very closely to how it was built on the actual aircraft. I'll build the framing and fill that in with plasticard where the windows were. I've found some good back end photos of the RCN birds and their mods. Jeff also pointed out a few things I'll need to tweak to being her over to a -3 from a -1. I'll get to work on those as well. We have some really good photos headed our way that will help in building the rear portion of the greenhouse. Luckily, the first 2/3 is pretty standard. I may use a balsa block as a basis for forming the framing, but I haven't worked any of that out yet. The biggest goal for now is to get the engine built up to a standard I'm happy with while we (Jeff!) keeps finding all the gems he is. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 9 hours ago, Clunkmeister said: I was and still am considering the iconic RCN sub hunters of the 50's for my Avenger of choice Ernie, how close does this conversion get you? https://www.aviationmegastore.com/grumman-tbm3w-avenger-aew-conversion-set-trumpeter-bz3002-braz-models-bz3002-aircraft-modelling-conversion/product/?action=prodinfo&art=159023 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Tony, it's great to see this as your next project. I'm starting to get a greater appreciation for Canadian aircraft variants myself. Carl 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted September 25, 2019 Administrators Share Posted September 25, 2019 Carl, that IS cool. But like Mark said, it’s not a tough conversion and I can make a plug and pull it myself as well as anyone else. I’m just lazy, that’s all Sho ‘nuff is ugly, though. Although they all weren’t quite as wild as these. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 If you're gonna do a Canadian Navy bird, we have to make sure you get the correct roundels....... just sayin.. ;-))) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaS Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 This should be cool... All this Canadian stuff lately... I want some pancakes and maple syrup! ...with two fried eggs over-easy and a glass of orange juice. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HubertB Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Cool project. And, btw, the conversion is not only in the canopy area, but also at the bottom, where you need to modify the bomb bay. Hubert 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis7423 Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Although he's currently not taking orders, Mike West at Lonestar Models makes a TBM firebomber conversion in 1/32. It contains a resin plug for the canopy area, and the boxed bomb bay. I used to have one, but sold it a few months ago. You might try and source one. Great project! Will be following along :-) - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJTX Posted September 25, 2019 Author Share Posted September 25, 2019 3 hours ago, HubertB said: Cool project. And, btw, the conversion is not only in the canopy area, but also at the bottom, where you need to modify the bomb bay. Hubert Yup, we're tracking down the specific information for the tank that was put into the bomb bay to carry the retardant. I hope to share that information here. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJTX Posted September 25, 2019 Author Share Posted September 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Dennis7423 said: Although he's currently not taking orders, Mike West at Lonestar Models makes a TBM firebomber conversion in 1/32. It contains a resin plug for the canopy area, and the boxed bomb bay. I used to have one, but sold it a few months ago. You might try and source one. Great project! Will be following along :-) - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA The problem with that conversion is I believe it was a different type of greenhouse mod than mine carried. Theres a shorter upper canopy version which is what the Draw decals set shows and then ones like the Conair bird that still carried the RCN greenhouse. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJTX Posted September 25, 2019 Author Share Posted September 25, 2019 The saddest thing is I was so close to seeing my actual aircraft. Its last known location was a flight museum in Midland, Texas which isnt too far from me. However, that museum shows permanently closed now. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis7423 Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 18 minutes ago, TJTX said: The problem with that conversion is I believe it was a different type of greenhouse mod than mine carried. Theres a shorter upper canopy version which is what the Draw decals set shows and then ones like the Conair bird that still carried the RCN greenhouse. After reviewing it, if you can find one, it might save you some work. The rear portion appears correct, and you would just have to convert the kit clear parts for the center canopy section to capture the more prolific glass on the RCN bird. It's worth a shot! And, you get the firebomber bomb bay to boot. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJTX Posted September 25, 2019 Author Share Posted September 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Dennis7423 said: After reviewing it, if you can find one, it might save you some work. The rear portion appears correct, and you would just have to convert the kit clear parts for the center canopy section to capture the more prolific glass on the RCN bird. It's worth a shot! And, you get the firebomber bomb bay to boot. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA I looked again and I believe you are correct. That does appear to be the proper rear end that I need. Hopefully I can find one and save a ton of work. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted September 25, 2019 Administrators Share Posted September 25, 2019 Tony, did you ever find out if they just sheeted over the standard RCN greenhouse, or is it an entire new rear section? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJTX Posted September 25, 2019 Author Share Posted September 25, 2019 14 minutes ago, Clunkmeister said: Tony, did you ever find out if they just sheeted over the standard RCN greenhouse, or is it an entire new rear section? We're still digging, but it appears in photos to just be the standard back end either painted or the glass being replaced with metal. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted September 25, 2019 Administrators Share Posted September 25, 2019 9 minutes ago, TJTX said: We're still digging, but it appears in photos to just be the standard back end either painted or the glass being replaced with metal. So maybe the same as the front turret on my Lanc. Sheeted over 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 4 hours ago, Clunkmeister said: Tony, did you ever find out if they just sheeted over the standard RCN greenhouse, or is it an entire new rear section? Investigation continues, I passed the question on to my contact that will have the answer...... will let you know as soon as I get the answer myself.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJTX Posted September 25, 2019 Author Share Posted September 25, 2019 4 hours ago, Clunkmeister said: So maybe the same as the front turret on my Lanc. Sheeted over That's what I'm leaning towards. I have some thin plastic sheeting I should be able to use on the back end. The trickiest part is the very back curve. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted September 26, 2019 Administrators Share Posted September 26, 2019 3 hours ago, TJTX said: That's what I'm leaning towards. I have some thin plastic sheeting I should be able to use on the back end. The trickiest part is the very back curve. Tony, just use Apoxie Sculpt over the glass, then sand, carve, and whittle it to shape. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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