My short kit is on the way. Turns out the wing ribs shown separately on the plans do not fit the plans drawing of the built up wing so they re-cut the ribs to fit the drawing of the assembled wing. If they didn't when the wing would be built over the plans the parts would not line up with the drawings. (hope I explained that correctly). Got my Signal Squadron book in and have been going over that. Turns out a float version was designed for overseas sales to Denmark and it had a enlarged fin that looks pretty cool. Not sure if I'll build that version but if I do it will only be a proposed prototype as it was never built. Not sure of colors or markings so it would kind of be a fantasy plane.
The original was flown for over 4 years at the RI base and had a reputation as a good flyer. There was some mods made to it and and it was rebuilt once during those 4 years of service. It's main job after the rebuild was to help solve problems with the torpedo the US was using at the time. The airframe used for this plane was the first production TBD off the line and once those 4 years of service were done it was just scrapped. The two EDO floats were the largest ever attached to a single engine aircraft at the time.
Hopefully mine will fly as good as the prototype did. Will get some pictures up once the short kit arrives. Still finishing up a Jemco PT 19 and a Davey Ind. P47 right now. Got to get those off the bench first before the Devastator gets started.