Academy TBM-3" USS Bunker Hill Airplane Model Building Kit, Navy

Love the way it looks now that it’s done and painted to my liking. It’s a fun build however it do a have a few flaws & lots of positives. Cons: Instructions are brief and not too detailed. There are times when you have to really think through a step to figure it out. The pictures are not the best either, can be confusing. Take your time! The details on the crew compartments are amazing! You see every details of the interior but take your time! The two fuselage parts will need to come together and if done hastily it would be offset. The pros: great detail, price, and the finished product is very nice!

It was fun to build, but the instructions were kind of a pain, I’m no expert builder at these models, but I have built a bunch of Lego models before. And also one of the light covers that go on the wing tips, one side is shorter than the other. That’s my only disappointment.

This is the Academy version of the TBM-3 Avenger. They also make a USN TBF-1C Avenger 'Battle of Leyte Gulf' version. The difference is what weapon load, and decals each comes with, otherwise they are the same model. I have both so here is the difference as follows. TBM-3 "bunker hill" comes with 4 500LB, 1 100Lb, 1 2000LB bomb loads, and 8 wing rockets. The decals are for 2 different versions for the U.S.S. Bunker Hill and the U.S.S Essex. USN TBF-1C Avenger 'Battle of Leyte Gulf' comes with 4 bombs, 2 incendiary bombs, and 1 torpedo. The decals are for the U.S.S. Hornet, Intrepid, Lexington, Enterprise, and decals for the north Atlantic U.S.S. Bogue (submarine hunter). There also is a version for George H. W. Bush plane that he flew as a LTJG in WWII. I bought the TBM-3 and was disappointed that it did not come with a torpedo after all this is a Torpedo bomber. So, I got the USN TBF-1C Avenger 'Battle of Leyte Gulf' version. Having built both I can tell you they are the same mold, and the only difference is as stated above. As stated in other reviews the instructions are somewhat lacking and I had to go to the Internet for a better guideline. The fit and finish is good and there is not much flashing. The paint codes provide in the instruction are in my opinion off. I use Vallejo paints and the suggested colors were more grey than blue. I mixed my paints to better match photos of actual aircraft I found on the internet and on the box cover art. The tri-color paint is not as hard as I thought it would be. They were also completely painted in a glossy deep sea blue color later in the war. In the North Atlantic they had a grey and white color scheme. As a reference point the difference between a TBM and TBF is only the manufacturer of the plane. TBF was made by Gruman and the TBM by General Motors. Not a bad model but due to the instruction being so vague not for someone new to this hobby. Doable if you don't mind researching the internet for help and guidelines. Edit: added pictures to show bombs of TBM version. Not finished yet on model, still have more weathering effects to add.

value

The TBM -3 airplane model was packaged properly and inspected all parts are intact. Will start assembling in a few weeks. The price of the model was fair. Parts and details are accurate

My grandson loves this. I will order some more as soon as he puts the plane together.

Fine in detail,good model

It was a fun project to do with my kids. Seemed a little on the smaller side from what I expected, but the model itself is beautiful. Id probably buy another one of a different model.