Title: Avenger TBF/TBM in detail
Authors:

Frantisek Koran and Michal Ovcacik

Publisher

WWP

Price

Approx 27.80 $ USD (based on GBP)

Reviewer: Jean Paul Poisseroux

Notes:

ISBN 80-86416-47-X

 

Characteristics:

A-4 format, 60 pages, 218 pictures in color, 35 3D drawings , 6 color “profiles” , 44cm x 69 cm 1/72 and 1/48 plans of TBF/TBM-1 TBM-3E. English text.

Here is the second print from WWP publisher of the first volume (issue 4) devoted to the Grumman Avenger. The former issue contained 70 pages with half in black and white, and 141 colour pictures on a total of 218. Now you have 60 full color pages with 209 color pictures and only 9 in black and white. The areas covered are successively; a general Walkaround, followed by the tail hook details, the wings details, the flaps details, the Wings folding system, the main undercarriage, the tail wheel well, the canopy exterior area, the interior Details, the gunner/radio compartment, the turret details, the bomb bay, the engine details. The aircraft what give us such interesting details are a US museum aircraft and one of the flying Avenger around the World, based in France, which appeared in European displays. The quality of pictures is excellent, no dark area or blinking flash (the authors work on open air, during sunny days). Along these pics, b/w diagrams also clarify some areas which are visible on models, like the cockpit, but also the interior of the rear gunner.

Really these reprint is the best value on the subject. At the end , 6 profile/3D color “profiles” show the different dresses worn, with 2 amazing after war employees, a cropsprayer and a fire fighter. The cherry on the cake is the detachable 1/72 and 1/48 drawings of the TBF/TBM-1 TBM-3E versions with a detailed profile inside cutaway, and b/w pictures around to highlight the riveted skin. A highly recommended reissue to detail your 3 favorite scale aircrafts, with the last big 1/32 Trumpeter.

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