Radome sizes?

******* That should be PB-1W, Jim.

Yeah, I know....... duh!

Cheers - Jim.

At least you knew when you mis-typed. I can think of many reporters who aren't aware 'tall. :)

Bill Banaszak, MFE

****** A bit of an update. I have two radomes [1] The Paragon offering for the PB-1W and [2] The radome from the Esci/AMT/Ertl AD-4W kit. Both are very close to the same size but differing in outline somewhat. The problem with these radomes is that they are too large to fit between the main gear legs of the TBM-3W [Accurate Miniatures kit] - that's ok, IF the radomes were of different sizes. However if they were the same size, wherein lies the problem? Are the noted radomes too large or is the gear track on the AM kit too narrow? Does anyone have a TMB-3W sitting in their back yard and could measure the distance between the gear doors for me....... ho ho! I have it on good authority, from a crew chief who worked on the TBM-3Ws that the clearance between the gear doors and the radome was very small, in the vicinity of two or three inches, however the distance between the gear legs remains a bit of a mystery. I guess, fifty years ago, he didn't figure on some odd-ball modeller asking such a question and didn't write that bit of information down.

Actually the radomes look quite good taped on the PB-1W and on a built up AD-4W, but...... before I commit glue to plastic and resin I'll try and find out if the same radome was used on all three aircraft and what the actual distance between the Avenger's gear was.

Woof! Enough. Thanks and cheers - Jim.

If you intend to build a TBM-3W, then Model Design Construction make a resin conversion set intended for the Accurate Miniatures model. The website has a photograph of the components in the set and you can even download the instructions for some sets before you buy. I can personally vouch for the quality of MDC components, having used the Bf109 cockpits on a number of occasions, as well as the FW-190D detail set.

I'm sure that either Bob or Brian at MDC can help with your dimension querie s. Their email addresses are on the site.

Hope this helps.

**** Bingo. Just what I needed for the TBM-3W. I'll go for it. I do have some of the MDC conversion kits, but it missed my Mk.I, and somewhat dim, eyeball when I was looking for information - a bit slow lately [all the time most say]. Their conversion is for the AM Avenger so that takes care of that. Now if I can find the dimensions of the PB-1W radome I'll have it made - I think. **** I appreciate the help. Cleared the air in one area completly. Thanks again. Cheers - Jim.

***** And now Jim writes again. It would seem as if the TBM-3W and the PB-1W used the same AN/APS-20 search radar. So, it seems logical that the radomes would be the same size on both aircraft. That may be somewhat of a leap of faith. However, if the radomes were the same size then the Paragon conversion is too big. But, if they were not the same size, then maybe Paragon got it right. So - I'm still looking for the width of the radome on the PB-1W in feet/inches/metric units/whatever.

The MDC conversion for the TBM is on the way, but is it also the correct size for the PB-1W? Any and all help/information much appreciated.

Cheers all. Jim.

****** And Jim continues to write. I've found out that the TBM-3W and the PB-1W, along with numerous other types, did use the same AN/APS-20 search radar. So far so good. The measurement given was eight feet by three feet. I assume that meant length and height. So, assuming that the thickness of the fiber glass [or whatever it was made from] together with some clearance for the antenna came to, say, three inches on either side, that would give a radome with a width of eight feet, six inches.

The Paragon conversion in 1/48th is just a shade over two inches making it pretty well bang on for my guess calculations........ But! The Paragon radome is too large to fit the TMB-3W the way I figure things.

I'll await the arrival of the MDC kit and start comparing. In the meantime maybe luck will strike and someone, somewhere will have an accurate measurement to share.

Thanks all. cheers - Jim.