TBF/TBM Avenger work in progress
My regular collaborator Lego Monster is currently working on a minifig scale model of USS Intrepid, a WW-II Essex class aircraft carrier. He has asked me to design the aircraft to go with it. The first I am working on is a TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber.
When I decided to build a US Navy Wildcat fighter a while ago, I considered building an Avenger, but decided against it because I feared there were too many features that I wouldn't be able to capture in minifig scale. Of course, those are exactly the sort of things I am running into now. The cockpit windows can open and a minifig will fit inside when they are, but not when they're closed. There's also no room for a figure in the gun turret or in the aft cockpit. I could probably come up with a solution for that, but the construction will become a lot more complicated.
For a model to go on the aircraft carrier, however, none of that will really matter. One thing that I did get to work is the wing folding mechanism. That is important, because it will allow us to display Avengers both with their wings folded and wings spread.
Obviously there still is a lot left to do. I didn't notice that I'd forgotten to add a row of blue cheese slopes along the side of the cockpit when I took the picture. One of the things I want to change compared to what I have so far is that I'd like to add a few cowling flaps to the front and change the shape a bit.
TBF/TBM Avenger work in progress
My regular collaborator Lego Monster is currently working on a minifig scale model of USS Intrepid, a WW-II Essex class aircraft carrier. He has asked me to design the aircraft to go with it. The first I am working on is a TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber.
When I decided to build a US Navy Wildcat fighter a while ago, I considered building an Avenger, but decided against it because I feared there were too many features that I wouldn't be able to capture in minifig scale. Of course, those are exactly the sort of things I am running into now. The cockpit windows can open and a minifig will fit inside when they are, but not when they're closed. There's also no room for a figure in the gun turret or in the aft cockpit. I could probably come up with a solution for that, but the construction will become a lot more complicated.
For a model to go on the aircraft carrier, however, none of that will really matter. One thing that I did get to work is the wing folding mechanism. That is important, because it will allow us to display Avengers both with their wings folded and wings spread.
Obviously there still is a lot left to do. I didn't notice that I'd forgotten to add a row of blue cheese slopes along the side of the cockpit when I took the picture. One of the things I want to change compared to what I have so far is that I'd like to add a few cowling flaps to the front and change the shape a bit.