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Code: FW-88102C    Add to wishlist
Status: Sold out - Discontinued
We regret this item is no longer available for sale. Please see the product description for links to similar items we still have available.

Flight Wing Aircraft 88102C
Grumman TBF Avenger Display Model
USN VT-84 Wolf Pack, White 301, USS Bunker Hill, Yamato Sinking, April 1945

Limited Edition
480
Pieces Worldwide

1:18 Scale   Length   Width
Grumman TBF Avenger   26.75"   36"

On April 7, 1945 the Imperial Japanese Navy set out to inflict as much damage as possible on the American invasion force at Okinawa. Included in the flotilla were the giant battleship Yamato, one light cruiser and 8 destroyers. Aircraft from Task Force 58 had located the armada and tracked it until it came within range of the TBMs from VT-84 "the Wolf Pack" onboard the USS Bunker Hill as well as TBMs and Helldivers from other squadrons. The bombers departed but because of poor visibility were only able to attack a destroyer which they sank. On board the USS Bunker Hill VT-84 was led by veteran pilot Lt. Cdr. Chandler Swanson who instructed his pilots that they were to go after the Yamato, nothing else mattered. Swanson had arranged for 8 of his TBM's to attack from the port and the remaining 6 to attack from starboard. On the run-in one TBM was shot down and one was badly damaged but continued on his mission. VT-84 had unloaded their torpedoes and claimed 7 torpedoes slammed into the port side and 2 into the starboard. Other groups stood by waiting their turn to attack the 64,000-ton monster. When it was over there had been 19 torpedo hits but when VT-84 returned to USS Bunker Hill they reported the number of hits but that the Yamato and 3 destroyers were still afloat. At 1600 hours word finally came that the Yamato had capsized and exploded.

With a wing span of over 36 inches, this 1:18 Scale replica of the most successful US Torpedo Bomber of WWII is incredibly detailed and comes with many great features including a Three (3) man crew, removable torpedo, eight (8) wing-mounted rockets and highly detailed cockpit. The Avenger also has many working flying surfaces including: ailerons, elevators, flaps, and rudder. It also includes a machine gun turret with glass can be removed in order to position the gunner action figure, an elevating turret machine gun, opening bombay doors, sliding pilot's canopy sections, opening rear hatch door, retractable landing gear AND Best of All - Folding Wings!

Grumman TBF Avenger

Designed to replace the Douglas TBD Devastator, the TBF Avenger was first flown on August 1st, 1941. Capable of staging torpedoes, drop bombs and rockets, this single engine aircraft could also be outfitted with a combination of machine guns and cannons, which allowed it to act as a dogfighter. The robust Avenger design gave it the ability to withstand enemy air attacks and allowed it to serve throughout WWII, with dire consequences for the Japanese fleet. Postwar, the Avenger was still in service-retrofitted for other important functions including electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare and target towing.

© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Flight Wing Aircraft

The Flight Wing Aircraft range presents highly-detailed, ready-made plastic models of military aircraft in 1:18 scale. Their large size allows for a large number of articulated features while their plastic construction helps keeps their weight down to a reasonable level.

Flight Wing display airplanes feature:

  • Molded plastic construction with some snap-fit assembly required.
  • Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
  • Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
  • Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
  • Selected moveable control surfaces.
  • Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.

DISCLAIMER - Please Read

Please keep in mind that large scale plastic models are not scaled-up versions of their smaller diecast cousins. They are pre-assembled from a large number of components and production compromises are often made to keep them within reach of the casual collector's budget. Factory painting, glueing and alignment discrepencies are often visible upon close inspection.

The models arrive paritially deconstructed and do require time to un-package and assemble prior to display. Assembly mostly consists of pushing together snap-fitting parts, although a little attention with a sharp hobby knife and/or superglue is sometimes required to achieve the best fit.

In summary, with a little effort, these models can make fantastic, attention-grabbing showpieces from a reasonable viewing distance. Up close however, their more toy-like qualities will become apparent. We regret that we are unable to accept returns on these items for minor fit and finish issues.

© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.

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