1/72 TBD-1 Devastator 1938

The Devastator was the US Navy's first all-metal monoplane when it entered service in 1937, and the first with hydraulically-folding wings to save precious deck space. It could carry a torpedo or up to 1000 lbs. of bombs in addition to offensive and defensive machine gun armament. Even though already outdated when war broke out a few years later, the Devastator fought valiantly in the vital early battles, and earned a well-deserved space in the history books.

Valom's kit is a worthy replacement for the old Airfix kit, and includes a resin engine and cockpit tub, as well as resin wheels and, in this release, a resin torpedo. Photoetched parts are supplied for the cockpit panels, belts, torpedo fins and torpedo propellors. An injection canopy is included. Panel lines are recessed and fine. Decals are for two colorful pre-war "yellow-wing" aircraft, 2-T-1 of VT-2 aboard the Lexington in 1938 and 3-T-14 of VT-3 at NAS North Island, also in 1938. This kit will require some basic modeling skills, but nothing beyond the abilities of those with a couple of kits under their belt. It will also give you the chance to add a modern kit of one of the USN's most important types during this period to your collection.