TBF Avenger Mk. II released by Allen!

**Allen** · December 12th, 2014, 11:29

Is the only visual change to the TBF is the lower gun and bulged windows from the outsite?

Attachment 16581

***UncleTgt*** · December 12th, 2014, 13:23

Hi Allen,

Essentially correct - bulged observation windows & removing the lower rear gun will do the trick.

Originally the Brits planned to use the TBF with a 4 man crew, having an Observer stationed in the second cockpit behind the pilot. But in practice the a/c was manned as per the US practice with a 3 man crew.

Perversely, the OH Avenger actually has the 2nd cockpit manned already, which is largely incorrect for US crewed aircraft! For US aircraft the 2nd cockpit was fitted out with radio/electronic equipment, & the seat itself was removed. So, in order to represent a typical US aircraft I believe we should remove the 2nd cockpit crewman from the model, as this position was not designed to be permanently manned.

This modelling site has the clearest explanation I found regarding UK cockpit layouts, & some good pics of the build.

http://modelingmadness.com/review/al...cleavertbf.htm

Hope this gets the juices going...

**Allen** · December 12th, 2014, 16:45

The model is Multi LOD. CFS2 damage texture, breaking tail, wings and wing tips. I counldn't figure how to get the high detail VC from Mod Conv X so the VC is missing the controll box on the left and lever box on the right.

Attachment 16597

The breaking engine logic was messed up from what I recall with the stock P-38F. I remeber once that I had the left side engine change to the damage texture but the front part didn't fall off. The P-38J dosen't use breaking engine as trying to get them working with my quick and dirty chin intakes would be unwelcome pain.

**Allen** · December 14th, 2014, 20:01

Dose any one have top view of the Brit TBF? I'm not sure if the bulged windows are round from a top view or not....

Attachment 16666

**dvslats** · December 14th, 2014, 21:07

A pic and diagram.

**Allen** · December 15th, 2014, 17:47

Progress...

Attachment 16753

**Devildog73** · December 15th, 2014, 19:45

Woot-Woot, Allen!!

**Allen** · December 16th, 2014, 13:01

I PMed TheB24Guy about using the OH Panels (2d and VC). I also got the main model in game. This helped find the few last flaw/bugs hiding in the model.

Attachment 16782

**Allen** · December 18th, 2014, 19:48

I have permission for the OH panels but do you know what gunsite was fitted to the brit TBF?

***UncleTgt*** · December 19th, 2014, 00:23

Allen,

from http://modelingmadness.com/review/al...cleavertbf.htm

"I also scratchbuilt and attached a K-14 gunsight in the pilot’s cockpit, since the kit does not provide a gunsight"

Hardly definitive, but makes some sense as K-14 was the US copy of the MkIIC GGS. The MkIIC had been available in production qtys since 1943.

Hope this helps.

**Allen** · December 19th, 2014, 09:10

Saw that. It also made no since to me.... I wonder if the site change was done to the rear turret only?

***UncleTgt*** · December 19th, 2014, 12:43

Allen
I agree it seems a little strange seeing how sought after these gyro sights were, + how small the numbers produced.
I didn't even consider the rear gunner - I think that would be a mkIID sight, the only mention I could find is for Lancaster turrets in '45.
Unless they issued the same gunsight as the fighters in the Air Group, perhaps the basic mkII reflector sight (rectangular glass) would be more appropriate.

**Allen** · December 19th, 2014, 15:01

The TBF rear turret used the Navy Mk 9 reflector sight. It was based on the Brit Mark III Free Gun Sight.

http://www.aircraft-gunsights.com/reflector-sights/

**Allen** · December 20th, 2014, 19:45

I got 2 of the LODs done. To make the gunsight question ever more muddy.... The US manual says the cockpit site is a Mark 8.

http://www.avialogs.com/viewer/avial...er.php?id=3423 Page 65 (55 of the manual it self)

***UncleTgt*** · December 21st, 2014, 10:40

Probably much more info than we need, but a useful web-link nonetheless is
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=17850 a nicely detailed history of UK fixed & flexible gun sights, with plenty of installation diagrams & photos...

This web page suggests it might be historical to leave the Mk8 & Mk9 sights as they are, as these were both basically adopted UK designs (MkII & MkIII) from 1941 anyway...

http://www.aircraft-gunsights.com/reflector-sights/

**Allen** · December 21st, 2014, 11:14

Thats my thinking as well.

**Allen** · December 24th, 2014, 13:21

Things are a just about done.

Attachment 17275 Attachment 17276

**Devildog73** · December 25th, 2014, 08:22

Originally Posted by Allen

Things are a just about done.

Thank you very, VERY much, Allen!

**Allen** · December 26th, 2014, 13:25

I uploaded the TBF Avenger Mk.II. You can include it in your missions when you get them done.

**Allen** · December 26th, 2014, 14:57

A new entry has been added to Add-Ons Library, category CFS 2 Aircraft - British

Description: This rebuild of the stock TBF Avenger converts the Avenger to a British Tarpon Mk.II/Avenger Mk.II. The B24Guy was kind enough to let me use the OverHauled TBF Avenger Panel and Virtual Cockpit panel. Come with The bells and whistles like animated parts and breaking parts. Model is Multi LOD use damage texture logics as well.

To check it out, rate it or add comments, visit TBF Avenger Mk. II.zip
The comments you make there will appear in the posts below.

***Rami*** · December 27th, 2014, 02:55

Allen,

This is outstanding work, and a much-needed update! Thank you!

***blohmundvoss*** · December 27th, 2014, 03:09

Thank you for this Allen - a big help for BPF fans!

I haven't tried the damage skins out but it looks as if the 'normal' view of the great series of BPF skins that Revev did for the OH version also fit your improved model (after a bit of renaming of the texture files).

Cheers
BuV