TBF Avenger Build

[scigs30]

With my Spitfire done I have started on my next build, the Guillows TBF Avenger. I had a kit from the 90's and the wood is horible. I bought a new kit today at the hobby store and the decal says 05 on the back. The wood is much better than the old kit. Tonight I started working on this kit. I cut out all the parts, sanded the print off and notched the fomers. I am using Elmers glue all for the build.

[scigs30]

This is the second day I have been working on this kit and have everything done. I will sand and begin covering in a day or so.

[scigs30]

I have some final sanding to do then I will begin covering. This is an easy build and should fly well. I increased the dihedral so I could have a more stable flight.

[supercruiser]

Scigs,
you are a prolific builder. I saw on SFA that you got some relatively good flights with your Spirtfire. Excellent builds, as always.

Paul

[scigs30]

I began covering the Avenger. I am using Domestic dark and light blue tissue. I will apply the tissue with 50/50 water and Elmers. I will then shrink with water and apply 2 coats of Aerogloss dope. The wing and tail surfaces have been shrunk and waiting for the dope. I am still waiting on finishing the fuselage before shrinking. Here is a picture of the fuselage during the covering stage.

[scigs30]

I have everything covered and doped. I started applying the decals and did not like them. I will have to keep the two on the bottom wing, but I took the letters off that I had on the fuselage, you can see the wet spot on my side view picture of the decal I removed. I am going to print my decals using my Alps printer. Next is all the details, should be done in a couple of days.

[scigs30]

[scigs30]

I flew my TBF Avenger finally today, been done for awhile. This was built from the kit wood. The magic number for one of these 500 series to fly is 30grams including clay and rubber. This kit came in right at 30 so it flew great and does not suffer damage on landings. To date this is the best 500 series to fly out of the box. I used the Guillows 5 inch prop. P.s 45 second flight.

[cliffm]

Have to give you an "attaboy" for the craftmanship. A Guillow's challenge contestant? Sure looks like a contender to me.

[scigs30]

I wish, but I built last year in 08.

[BillParker]

Ha Ha! he'll just build another one...

[H65 Driver]

Did you try flying it with the Peck 6" prop from some of the earlier photos? If so, was there any difference in performance?

[scigs30]

To my disbelief, the small red Guillows prop performs better on these 500 series birds, don't know why.