Sole Survivor - Ens George Gay's TBD-1 Devastator of Torpedo 8

[ChuckD]

Hello, everyone!  Long time, no post.  After completing the "panzer of the river" dio back in February, I've started a few things but struggled to get anything across the finish line.  Happy (very) to report that this one is done.  It fought me most of the way, but by the time I'd gotten really frustrated with it, I was too far along to pitch it.  That said, I'm more or less happy with the result.  The decals have me fits and you'll see quite a bit of silvering which is just super frustrating.  I opted for decals as I wasn't confident that I would be able to get masks to lay down in the wing corrugations.  Turns out the decals didn't feel like doing it either.  Oh well.

 

I was really geeked about the Devastator kit when it came out, but in my opinion, Trumpeter managed to put out an aggressively mediocre kit.  In that regard, I guess Trumpeter managed to capture not only the form of the real airplane, but it's whole vibe too.  So, kudos to them on that front, I guess. (?)

 

Anyway, the fit was okay in general, but I had it in my head to really detail up the interior, only to find that it's really really spartan.  The whole bomb aimer's area is just pure fantasy and doesn't line up with any of the reference photos in @Dana Bell's recent book.  So, it made it a real challenge to want to try to do any extra detail work on the interior.  I suppose in the end absolutely none of it would be seen anyway, especially with the wings folded, but I would have known.   

 

That said, I did use @airscale's PE and 3D printed products to add detail where I could.  I can't recommend these highly enough and they're almost a requirement in my opinion.  Off the top of my head, I used the interior set, the prop, wheels, gunsight, wing fold, and twin .30 mount.  All fit pretty well without having to do much fiddling with adjacent parts and the added detail was/is lovely.  Thanks @airscale!

 

I ordered the ASK stencil set as the kit-provided stencils are ridiculous.  However, I would also suggest that the ASK set is only slightly less ridiculous as they are rife with spelling errors and their instructions seemingly have you placing them randomly around the airplane.  Weird.  I used the Gold Medal decals for the aircraft markings and, fortunately, they came with stencils and much more plausible placement instructions.  Any issues with them laying down on the model are mine, not theirs.  Highly recommend the Gold Medal set.  

 

Also, if you don't have Dana's recent TBD reference book, just buy it.  It's a fascinating walk through a really weird, esoteric, and utterly mid aircraft.

 

I digress.  This is my rendition of T-14, George Gay's aircraft from VT-8 on the day he became the sole survivor of his group's attack on the Japanese carrier fleet at Midway.  If anyone's not familiar with it, here's a short primer on the whole thing.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VT-8  Enjoy!  

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 8, 2025 by ChuckD

[dennismcc]

Beautiful result, that looks great.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Rod Bettencourt]

That looks quite good. Bummer that the kit gave you issues. Thanks for sharing.

 

Rod

[jimvit]

It's truly superb, well done Chuck.

And yes, airscale elements are essential for a beautiful result.

 

[Jim Barry]

Great work! The books make it so much harder! Lol 

[monthebiff]

Very nicely done Chuck, thinking I may well revive my yellow wings build once the Helldiver is complete.

 

Regards. Andy

[Madelf75]

Very nice I love the paint work 

[Dpgsbody55]

Nice work, Chuck.  Whatever the kit's shortcomings, you've done a good job with this.  

 

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

[AngryJazz_Models]

Stunning build! Really love the color and subtle weathering 😊

[ChuckD]

Thanks for the compliments, everyone. As this sits on my shelf now, it’s kinda growing on me. 

[thierry laurent]

I love it!!! 

[Hubert Boillot]

 Very nice result on a kit I have expected for more than 15 years. .

 

I gave Peter a hand (mostly by sharing my abundant documentation accumulated over the years) in developing his set, and promised him I would give him the files of any 3D-printed improvement I’d develop for the TBD (the bombardier position being an obvious one, as you mention, the torpedo recess area - a clear shot of which eluded me for a decade - in the underbelly being another). The only issue is that the Lukgraph’s Duck is a « clear the bench » kit for me, and may push the TBD down the line when I finish my Fisher Cutlass  

 

Anyway, kudos again for a magnificent result 👍 !

 

Hubert

 

[Jan_G]

Superb build Chuck! &nbsp
I like the finish

[alaninaustria]

Very NICE build mate! I really love these NAVY birds with the wings folded!!

Great job!

Inspires me to get mine done!!
Cheers

Alan

[Greif8]

Wonderful build Chuck!  You really captured the TBD look and I think your early war Blue/Grey paint work is spot on.

 

Ernest