Road to Top Gun-TBD Devastator

Road to Top Gun-TBD Devastator

Long time warbird nut and MAN contributor P.J. Ash from Searcy, AR, will be heading to the Top Gun Scale Invitational in October and will be flying in the Pro Prop class with his new Douglas TBD Devastator. Built over 20 years ago, the Torpedo Bomber is totally scratch built from 3-view drawings. The Devastator has a 100-inch wingspan and about 75 inches long. The retracts were originally from SpringAir but P.J converted to electric Robart retracts.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | Road to Top Gun-TBD Devastator

The model has traditional all-wood construction and a glassed finish and P.J. is planning to totally strip it down, and redoing everything including putting in a new detailed cockpit interior with a crew from Warbird Pilots. One, pilot, one  navigator, and a tail gunner.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | Road to Top Gun-TBD Devastator

The model is powered by a Zenoah G-62 gas engine using a Falcon propeller, and P.J. is using a DX-18 transmitter and HV6180 Spektrum servos and equipment. Robart retracts are upgraded by Down and Locked.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | Road to Top Gun-TBD Devastator

Recently, PJ test flew his Devastator and it flew perfectly, needing some minor tweaks to balance. The functional torpedo drop and functional tail hook both worked perfectly. We’ll be keeping an eye on PJ as he competes down in Lakeland, FL.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | Road to Top Gun-TBD Devastator

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | Road to Top Gun-TBD Devastator

Updated: September 16, 2020 — 8:51 AM

4 Comments

  1. This is VERY nice.. Now I love the
    SBD Dauntless.. and when you can
    pull my eyes To this bird….Yes, Yes.
    Did you change up your batteries or the
    Weight was needed with the old Nimh

  2. A thoroughly impressive plane.

  3. Man, just looking at the pictures, I’m amazed at the panel overlaps. That’s the way they should look. Fantastic looking aircraft. P.S. I heard you received a special gift at Bomber Field. HAHA!

  4. I am planning to attend Top Gun (as a spectator) and can’t wait to look this airplane over. Good luck. Hope the weather is nice and the wind is reasonable.

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