1:48 Douglas TBD-1 'Devastator'

The real subject

The Douglas TBD-1, known by the nickname Devastator, was a carrier torpedo aircraft of the US Navy. It entered service in the second half of the 1930s as an all-metal low-wing monoplane with folding wings and a crew of three men, and at the time it was among the most modern machines of its kind. By the start of the war in the Pacific, however, its performance was no longer enough, and after the heavy losses of the torpedo squadrons at Midway it was withdrawn from the front line.

What the set contains

A photo-etched sheet of metal accessories for a model in 1:48 scale. The features in thin sheet replace plastic details that for production reasons are thicker than the real subject would call for in this scale. The composition of the sheet, the numbering of the parts and the kit the set is cut for are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Separate a part with a sharp blade a little away from the edge and sand the remaining tab with a fine file. Make the bends in a photo-etch bender or over a straight metal edge, so that the edge stays crisp. They are glued with super glue in a minimal amount. Degrease the metal before painting and apply a primer, otherwise the finish will not hold on the smooth surface.

Who it is for

The set suits builders who want to raise the level of detail in a smaller scale and do not mind working with tweezers. Go through the instructions before you start building: a number of the features are fitted into the interior before the fuselage is joined. The kit of the model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.