1/32 Trumpeter F6F-3 Hellcat

[Michael Power]

1/32 Trumpter F6F-3 Hellcat

Hellcat Box.jpg (60.55 KiB) Viewed 5326 times

Having been away from the bench for what seems like an eternity, I found myself with some spare time. I sat looking at the stash and thought about what could put on the bench. I decided to go with the Hellcat. It will accompany the 1/32 Avenger which was completed quite a while ago and I have an interest in U.S Navy planes. So to the bench.
Unfortunately, I got a fair way into this build before I thought about posting this on the forum. I have rushed in and completed the cockpit. So that's where this starts from.

Cockpit

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Cockpit

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Cockpit

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I added HGW Models Seatbelts and Eduard's Interior Detail.

That's that for now.

Michael

[Vincent Power]

Now there is a surprise. I'm glad you decided to post this build. The cockpit looks really good too. Lots of beautiful detail in there

Vincent

[Philipp Gross]

Well, that's most amazing

Looking forward to the rest

Philipp

[Michael Power]

Thanks Vincent, Philipp

Came up alright, the aftermarket stuff helps a lot.

Michael

[Michael Power]

Started putting the engine together and painting it. Then I realised, that unless I cut away some panels you will only see the front of the engine anyway. I don't like the clear cowling or clear having a see through fuselage that they offer on some kits. So, after deciding to not go down the butchering of the cowling I just dry fitted the cockpit and cowling to make sure there would be no drama's when gluing them together.

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Test_Fit_3.jpg (66.76 KiB) Viewed 5298 times

That's where I'm at for the moment.

Michael

[Vincent Power]

I can't get over how big it is.

Vincent

[Michael Power]

Vincent

It certainly is big, But, is around the same size as the P-47 Thunderbolt.

Michael

[Michael Power]

Just a small update tonight.
I have got one of the gun bays finished. Only one will be open, as the other wing will be folded. I chose to use Master Model barrels and some excellent 3D printed Ammo Belts from Gaspatch. Unfortunately the gun barrels caused me a bit of a problem. Firstly I ordered the wrong set ( didn't do my homework and got an "F").

Wrong barrels

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These could be used for the inner guns only. The middle and the outside guns were different. So I ordered the correct ones.

The right ones.

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Oh yes. They are the right ones. Oh Bugger, they are not long enough. I cut the plastic barrels off only to find, that if you put the metal barrels on the plastic body of the .50 cal. they do not protrude out of the leading edge. So I had to do a little scratch building to get them in the right position. All good in the end. But, I'm still not sure whether it was me or the barrels that are just too short. Anyway got a result. That's modelling. Oh and I really do like the Ammo belts.

.50 cal ammo belts

Ammo_Belt.jpg (120.37 KiB) Viewed 5261 times

Result

Guns_and_Ammunition.jpg (52.04 KiB) Viewed 5261 times

That's it for now.
Catch you all later

Michael

[Adam Durrant]

The .50cal belts look good, not the usual “smear” of poorly molded styrene you get in most kits.

[Michael Power]

Hope everyone is enjoying themselves as best you can.
I had a few hours to myself so I just thought I'd do the Aux. fuel tank and the bombs, although I'm not much of a fan of fighters with bombs. But it gave me time to experiment with oils. It was fun for me, hope you enjoy the results.

My attempt with oils.

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Took a bit of artistic license from this, I think they were actually a light grey, but I went with a Off White. The reason the tail fins are pristine, was that they where shipped separately and attached when needed.

US Navy early WWII

USNavy_Bomb.jpg (37 KiB) Viewed 5240 times

That's my couple of hours done .

Michael