Charlie Kellogg's TBM Avenger Build
12-16-2013, 01:31 PM
#1857
Flight Leader, if he is a UPS pilot, he is off and running until well after Xmas. Saw a news spot on TV talking about the Fed Ex and UPS pilots. The news guy said the engines barely cool off before they are pushing the throttles to the stops and off again. Really appreciate the assistance with this build. He'll be back. Smile. Chic
12-16-2013, 08:17 PM
#1859
Also, he was not sure of the lights for an LSO. He said some lights were on the landing gear. He has the manuals, so I plan to look at them for more detail. I did take the photo showing the distance from the inboard side of the slat to the centerline of the landing light. It was right at 24 inches. He will be at the hanger Saturday, so I could go back for more info and photos. Maybe Noah will be able to make it then. What ever photos you need let me know.
12-16-2013, 09:37 PM
#1860
Flight Leader, Flight Leader, wonderful stuff. Many thanks. You are right, that kid sure does seem very happy, don't blame him. Flight Leader, if you get out there again, check along the leading edge of the port wings outer panel and look to see if there is an opening on this airframe's wing. If there is an opening on the leading edge, it is not terribly large. Look inside and tell me what you may be able to see. You and Noah, out in the wild west, must be fun. Stay well, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL "AVENGER" FANS. Hope the wives and girlfriends get all of us great gifts. Smile. Chic
12-17-2013, 05:02 AM
#1861
Chic, When I asked about the landing lights he told me there is one in each wing. The photo shows the location for the right wing. I walked over to the left side, but it was patched where this light would have gone. I should have measured it's location. I will do that next time there, which may be Saturday morning.
12-17-2013, 05:17 AM
#1863
Flight Leader, Flight Leader, wonderful stuff. Many thanks. You are right, that kid sure does seem very happy, don't blame him. Flight Leader, if you get out there again, check along the leading edge of the port wings outer panel and look to see if there is an opening on this airframe's wing. If there is an opening on the leading edge, it is not terribly large. Look inside and tell me what you may be able to see. You and Noah, out in the wild west, must be fun. Stay well, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL "AVENGER" FANS. Hope the wives and girlfriends get all of us great gifts. Smile. Chic
12-17-2013, 06:41 AM
#1868
As in most warbirds I have been around, I hear a common theme. Last night for at least an hour while my friend was telling Boyd and I about his Avenger and the research he has done, he pointed out modifications this plane has been through since new from General Motors.
Over the years they all go through these modifications due to field changes, technical orders, depot maintenance overhauls, and other means of instructions.
Here is one example he spoke of. In the photo you can see 3 strips/doublers going from front to rear. These doublers were on the top and bottom of the wings. You can see one on either side of the access inspection panel opening and one just before the wheel well. These were added due to the wing skins buckling in flight. In the cockpit, I think he was referring to the carburetor heat handle, if it were one model plane it was on the lower left of the panel, but a different model plane it is located on the upper left of the panel due to an additional item that was added to the panel in its old location. I could go on and on from what he pointed out as we walked around the plane.
Due to these differences, I was told by a friend who is the chief judge at top gun, if you were to compete in scale, pick a subject aircraft, research that aircraft specific with modifications that will change the outer panel lines and other visible items, and then build that model. The doublers are a good example of that.
Over the years they all go through these modifications due to field changes, technical orders, depot maintenance overhauls, and other means of instructions.
Here is one example he spoke of. In the photo you can see 3 strips/doublers going from front to rear. These doublers were on the top and bottom of the wings. You can see one on either side of the access inspection panel opening and one just before the wheel well. These were added due to the wing skins buckling in flight. In the cockpit, I think he was referring to the carburetor heat handle, if it were one model plane it was on the lower left of the panel, but a different model plane it is located on the upper left of the panel due to an additional item that was added to the panel in its old location. I could go on and on from what he pointed out as we walked around the plane.
Due to these differences, I was told by a friend who is the chief judge at top gun, if you were to compete in scale, pick a subject aircraft, research that aircraft specific with modifications that will change the outer panel lines and other visible items, and then build that model. The doublers are a good example of that.
Last edited by WARBIRDRCER; 01-24-2014 at 03:11 AM.
12-17-2013, 07:37 AM
#1870
[QUOTE=Kinner;11686852]Some 35mm gun cameras were mounted in front of the windscreen just to the right of AC centerline.
Early 3Es had the external camera. Also early 3Es also had an external tailhook and then internal later in production. The bottom gun position glass was also changed in later models. My Uncle had 6 Avengers in the 80s and we restored two. That was almost 25 years ago so I don't remember a heck of a lot. Are Charlie's plans still available? I might like to build one one day. Don
Early 3Es had the external camera. Also early 3Es also had an external tailhook and then internal later in production. The bottom gun position glass was also changed in later models. My Uncle had 6 Avengers in the 80s and we restored two. That was almost 25 years ago so I don't remember a heck of a lot. Are Charlie's plans still available? I might like to build one one day. Don
12-17-2013, 09:37 AM
#1871
Wow, all I can say is "WOW". So many thanks for the photos and information. I am modifying Charlies' plans in order to model a TBF-1B, an RAF Fleet Air Arm Avenger (Tarpon, Mk. 1). It has a black/white/camo paint scheme from a 711 Naval Sq. The RAF changed the name from Tarpon to Avenger in 1945 I believe. Most notable change is the Oil Cooling Inlets on the front of the cowl and a second seat installed behind the pilot. The TBF-1 only had the top inlet. I did that modification early in this build thread. Keep the great information flowing. I turn away "NOTHING". Thanks. Chic
12-17-2013, 11:15 AM
#1873
Don, you are absolutely correct. I just did not want to go to deep into the details of the difference between the multiple cowl flaps of the TBM-3 and the 2 + 2 cowl flaps of the TBF models. Hope there will not be a cooling issue since I will not have the surround sound effect of the multiple cowl flaps vs the 2 + 2. Smile. Thanks Don. Chic
12-17-2013, 03:55 PM
#1874
Steve,
It's a good thing I don't live near you guys. My wife would be wondering all the time where I was... I'm so jealous... You guys seem to have the best of all worlds
Larry
It's a good thing I don't live near you guys. My wife would be wondering all the time where I was... I'm so jealous... You guys seem to have the best of all worlds
Larry