Starfighter Decals 1/72 USN TBD-1 Devastator
By Matt Bittner
Here's another relatively new set of 1/72 decals from Starfighter Decals for the TBD-1 Devastator. While some of the markings are repeats from their earlier sets, there is a lot of new aircraft on this release, not to mention the updated decal printing. There are 12 Devastators on this set:
- 6-T-4, VT-6, both in March 1941 and October 1941 showing the same aircraft first in Light Gray, then in two-tone gray
- BuNo 0285, VT-2 May 1942 Battle of Coral Sea
- BuNo 0319, VT-5, May 1942, Battle of Coral Sea
- BuNo 0342, VT-6, LtCdr Massey & RM1c CT Grenat, 1 Feb 1942
- BuNo 0319, VT-5, LtCdr Taylor & CRM(PA) Nobbs, 10 Mar 1942 raid on Lae & Salamaua
- BuNo 1506, VT-8, LtCdr JC Waldron & ACRM Dobbs, June 1942
- BuNo 1518, VT-8, Ens G. Gay & ACRM2c Calkins, June 1942
- BuNo 0285, VT-3, LtCdr L. Massey & ACRM I. Perry, 4 Jun 42
- BuNo 0279, VT-6, Ens Morris & ARM2C Butler, 5 Jun 42
- BuNo 0298, VT-6, LtCdr Linsey & ARMR Grenat 5 Jun 42
- BuNo 0300, VT-2, USS Lexington, 1939
- BuNo 0299, VS-71, USS Wasp, 1940
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All but the first and the last two are Blue Gray over Light Gray. As I mentioned above the first one was firstly finished in overall Light Gray. The last two were pre-WWII so were finished in the typical, overall aluminum finish with Orange-Yellow flying surfaces. The decals are nicely printed and appear to be in register.
The recommended kit is the venerable Airfix kit, but I'm sure they should work with the Valom kit. Plus it will be interesting to see if Hobby Boss actually releases their announced kit in 2026 or not.
I definitely thank Starfighter Decals for sending this decal set for review.