Avenger wing light

[avenger2504]

I posted the following in the modelling section but thought I would post here in case any Avenger experts here don't look at the modeling section!

I'm about to make a start on the Italeri 1/48 TBF-1/TBM-1 Avenger kit. One question though. The port wing has the fold down landing light position under the port wing. However the kit has a cutout and a perspex piece to fit in it on the leading edge of the port wing as well. Now I am familiar with the early Avengers having been on the restoration team of the RNZAF Museums TBF-1 and I don't see that in my photos.
Heres what I mean:


Was there something on the later TBM-3e? My thought was someone saw a dope patch over the holes for the de-icing boots and thought it was a light (like a T6 light installation). Our Avengers had the boots removed and a patch glued over the holes. (not a lot of icing in the Pacific )
Cheers
Baz

[Invader26]

[img][/img[IMG]http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu23/randalmcfarlane/Avenger_Archerfield2.jpg[/img]

[muddyboots]

[Invader26]

and that's me at the "wheel"...

[Jim MacDonald]

Baz,

Those are the access panels for the wing mounted .50 cal machine guns that were on all TBF/TBMs from the TBF-1c onwards. There should be one mg in each wing.

HTH,

Mac

[Kenny Chapman]

That appears to be what they (the model manufacturer) think is the approach light for the LSO on the carrier. That's about the right location but the real size is only about 3 or 4 inches square.

[avenger2504]

Baz,

Those are the access panels for the wing mounted .50 cal machine guns that were on all TBF/TBMs from the TBF-1c onwards. There should be one mg in each wing.

HTH,

Mac

No I'm talking about the square cut out further along the leading edge of the wing. The Museum's TBF-1 Avenger has the wing gun positions as well as the nose mounted gun position making her pretty unique!(Although she is displayed as one of our other TBF-1Cs which was shot down over Rabaul.
Kenny when you say approach light you aren't talking about the fold down landing light on the same wing? I've been peering at photos of Avengers trying to see anything like your description but if its only 3 or 4 inches square maybe i won't be able to see it?

[Kenny Chapman]

TBM's had a visual approach slope indicator light in the leading edge of the left wing. It was in essence a reverse VASI that was visible by the LSO on the deck. The plexiglass lense in the leading edge was maybe 3 X 3 inches square. The light itself was about 2X2 and about 4 inches long. I have one of the lenses somewhere. I'll try to find it and attach a picture. All said it wasn't very large and most of them were just painted over when the aircraft was used in the firefighting role. The lense I have actually came out of the TBM that ended up in Kermit Week's museum in FLA.

[avenger2504]

Oh thats great finally an answer!! Thanks very much, so this was something done on the later TBMs then and I can happily fill the square in on my TBF!

[Jim MacDonald]

Oops. Sorry about that, Baz. I thought you were talking about the fairing near the trailing edge of the wing.

Mac

[avenger2504]

Oops. Sorry about that, Baz. I thought you were talking about the fairing near the trailing edge of the wing.

Mac

Hey no problem Mac grateful for any input!
Baz