F244 Red series, 1973
KIT COMMENT
ROVEX REVIVAL
ACCURATE AVENGER
The recently released Frog Avenger is a very good model with high standards of accuracy and detail. In fact there is little to criticise. Luckily the version modelled is a Grumman Avenger Mk.II which differs slightly from the aircraft produced by Airfix in that the cowling shape is different and the Frog model has two large transparent blisters just aft of the wing root.
The other advantage, although both Airfix and Frog kits are roughly the same in quality, is that the latter misses out the rivet retail so favoured by their competitors. In the Frog offering the panel lines are extremely well done and the mould makers are to be congratulated on an excellent job.
The decals provide markings for similar aircraft in the same squadron at different periods. Both depict aircraft of No 857 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, although one has British Pacific Fleet markings when attached to Task Force 57 on HMS Indomitable whilst the other shows an Avenger in service with No 857 at Macrihanish in 1944. We used the Pacific markings for our model and can report that each item stuck firmly and moulded well over the surface detail. The matt quality blended well with the painted areas.
One point worth mentioning is the matt black walkways on top of the wing alongside the cockpit. These are shown in the colour illustrations on the kit box but are not included in the decal sheet. They will have therefore to be painted on and care, plus masking, should be used to get straight lines along the edges.
A very good kit, well worth 28p.
Aviation News Vol 2 Num 2 8-21 June 1973
NEW AND IN VIEW
FROG Avenger. Red series UK Price 28p.
Sample supplied courtesy Jones Bros. Chiswick. A new Frog kit always takes us by surprise. We hear various goodies are on the way but no one ever seems to know when, then all of a sudden just when everyone is saying the new Frog Whatnot is due any day, out comes something different and the Whatnot is still months away. This kit provides a TBM-I Avenger I with markings for two aircraft in the Pacific theatre. The model is accurate in outline with good surface detail. Parts fit quite well apart from some gaps around the lower wing/upper wing halves. The major fault is one which is usual with Frog offerings.. horrible thick trailing edges to the wings. With the split wing method used there is absolutely NO excuse for this as the whole trailing edge is moulded in one piece and knife edges can be produced. The proof that this can be done is in the Tamiya 1/lOOth scale kits so excuses that the process does not permit are no avail. There was no instruction sheet in our kit and we essayed to assemble without one and had one or two problems which would not have existed if we had waited for instructions to arrive.
The kit compliments the Airfix TBM-3 which is getting a bit old now, so will undoubtedly have it's uses in a collection and Naval Aviation enthusiasts will certainly want one. Box art is good and decals good quality.. one of the better features of Frog kits. Frogs saving grace is that they must now have one of the lowest price ranges kit for kit in the UK, but unless they can improve on the consistantly bad points such as thick trailing edges, they could well be pushed back by their competitors, who are now most willing to learn from mistakes. It has been said that some companies are not concerned by reviewers opinions. Perhaps not, but in the long run quality pays and countries overseas learn VERY quickly!
The IPMS magazine, june 1973
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