Brad Cancian Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Hi all – here’s my second completion for the year, the Eduard 1/72 Hellcat. I painted this one in the markings of Hellcat Mk.1 JW-321 from 804SQN, HMS Archer, Op Meridian, January 1945. I used the H-Model decals, set HMD72013. I will confess upfront I know virtually nothing about these aircraft, so I built the kit out of the box, using what options I could see from the line drawing and photos of the aircraft in the decal instructions. If I had a tip for this build I would recommend the clear panels at the back of the cockpit be glued to the fuselage halves before they go together. I glued them in after the fuselage was closed and had all sorts of trouble getting them to fit properly due to interference from the head rest. This meant that the sliding section of the canopy didn’t fit properly, which I then made a mess of trying to attach…. Otherwise I can’t recommend this kit highly enough – fit and detail is excellent. I followed the Eduard instructions for the colours – Eduard calls out a number of gunze paints for the camouflage (the H-Models instructions don’t give paint numbers), which I used, but to my eye they seem quite a bit off based on photos of other models that I have seen. Oh well. I also realised after I took the photos that the gear doors are backwards – I have since fixed these….! Weathering was done with oil paints and pastels. With all of my mistakes on this one I am glad just to have something off the bench. Cheers, Brad C 59 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 The Hellcat looks good to me 👍The colors look good to me. These came from american factories, using close but not exact american color matches. So they wouldn't be the same as say a seafire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 (edited) 18 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: These came from american factories, using close but not exact american color matches. So they wouldn't be the same as say a seafire. This depends on the factory, Grumman used paint matched to British Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) specifications, which were good matches. This was because they had previously built planes for the British which were purchased, not Lend-Lease Later the use of equivalent colours came in, which were US standard colours which were acceptable for the Brits, a case the Avenger, the Grumman built planes (TBF) had British specified paint, the Eastern built Avengers (TBM) had equivalent paint. Quote US colours used for TSS Grumman used MAP colours, Eastern used ANA substitutes. Grumman--Dark Slate Grey (FS 34096), Extra Dark Sea Grey (FS 36118), Sky (FS 34583). Grumman used equivalent paint shades, ie colours that matched the official British colours and not substitutes ie colours that, while not matching British colours, were officially approved as being acceptable alternatives. The paint used by Grumman throughout the war on camouflaged British aircraft may not have been made in Britain but it was indistinguishable from paint that was. Eastern-- Olive Drab ANA 613 (FS 34130), Sea Grey ANA 603 (FS 36173), Sky (FS 34504). Sea Grey ANA 603 was British Extra Dark Sea Grey so wasn't a substitute as such. Sky Type S Gray ANA 610 was meant to be equivalent to British TSS Sky as well but there was apparently a difference. There was no ANA equivalent for Sky simply because at the time of the ANA consolidation it was not required by any service as a paint colour. 'Sky Type S Gray' (or Grey) was terminology used by Dupont for its Sky equivalent paint 71-021 and is nowhere near FS 36373 in appearance by any measure. British requirements for Sky under surfaces were commonly communicated and specified as 'Duck Egg Blue' rather than as any form of grey. The ANA 610 standard for Sky is close to FS 24424 and was retained until 1949 when it was superseded by FS 34424. note FS595 is a post war US Government paint standard, and as such the matches quote are close, but not exact. (oft discussed point) the above quote is from here, for more detail. Note the only Hellcat producer was Grumman, so all had MAP specified colours, until the switch to Gloss Sea Blue, which was acceptable to the British, so later FAA US Lend Lease planes were overall Gloss Sea Blue. (Wildcats, Corsairs, Avengers, Hellcats) 18 hours ago, Brad Cancian said: which I used, but to my eye they seem quite a bit off based on photos of other models that I have seen. not a good thing to judge against! factory fresh R.N. Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat,1942. by Etienne du Plessis, on Flickr well used in the Pacific Hellcat by Etienne du Plessis, on Flickr your weathering is really good, the panel lines are a bit too stark, but perhaps that's just the lighting? Very neat work overall, cheers T Edited October 14, 2017 by Troy Smith tidying up, corrections 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 That looks fine to me Brad, not with standing Troy's excellent advice, your colours are OK , given photos & monitors, they surely don't jump up & smack you in the eye. All in all, it is a very smart piece of modelling. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 First rate Brad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Awesome Hellcat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuro Nezumi Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Brilliant finish! Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viperchief Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 WOW! 1/72? You could have fooled me! Looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glatisant Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Really like your Hellcat. Good looking build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fewr9fkr9595 Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Lovely mate 👍🏿 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convair Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Spectacular! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 I think that is fantastic modelling in the Gentleman's scale, very nice indeed. My only negative comment would be that the panel liner you used is too stark to my eye, a lighter colour would still bring out the detail but hey, I'm nit picking, I'd be proud of a finish like that as it is. Duncan B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Cracking Hellcat Brad,no argument on the colour's from me they look fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Gorgeous work!!!! This is probably one of my favorite kits ever produced, and you certainly did it justice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossiant Oliver Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 (edited) Man the camoflauge blend looks phenomenal! Good job! Just one thing that is bugging me are the panel lines look like zebra stripes almost, but that's just a nitpick. Edited October 15, 2017 by Crossiant Oliver 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almac Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 Very nice Hellcat Brad. Lovely paint job. Cheers Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Wow! That's awesome work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignacio Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Very nice! I really liked the weathering job. I would like to point out that the wheel doors are interchanged. I´m sure it´s an easy fix if you want to do it. Please don´t take the wrong way my observation, your model looks awesome to me! best regards. Ignacio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldwin8 Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Well photographed, I would have thought this was a larger scale. It really looks the part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Cancian Posted October 21, 2017 Author Share Posted October 21, 2017 Hi everyone - thank you for your kind feedback and constructive criticisms, I am always learning! Cheers! Brad C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Nice Cat indeed. Congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Looks spot on to me - great build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denford Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Beautiful build, superb paint and weathering. Pretty good photography too. BUT - and I hate to have to say this - JW321 of 809 Sqdn was a Mk ll and not, as H-Models would have it, a Mk l Now it can be difficult to distinguish the two variants, especially from certain views. At least for FAA machines the matter is simplified by the serial. According to the FAA Museum (at Yeovilton), serials up to JV 222 were Mk l and thereafter Mk ll And I think I can see how this error came about. The B&W photo with the decal sheet shows the front of a Hellcat resplendent with white cowl and crest. Though of rather poor quality (no criticism intended) is more or less identifiable as a Mk l: curved windscreen, rear windows, exhaust area of cowling etc. No individual marking or serial visible as it's the 'front end'. Now somewhere there must have been another view of an 809 Sqdn Hellcat at the rear showing serial, codes etc. However from this veiw it's very hard to distinguish Mks unless one is aware of the significance of the serial. It took me a while to establish the changeover of Mks via serials so H Models have my sympathy. So it would appear that this aircraft was assumed to be the same Mk as that in the B&W photo above. Now here's a puzzle and a question. MAM Sept 2005 shows a finished model of JW321 coded K*6J (804 Sqdn) vs K*6l (809 Sqdn) om the H-Model sheet. Which is correct or was it re-coded/re-assigned ? Both 'renderings' have it as with HMS Ameer. It was common practice to paint an identification visible from the front. Nothing on the cowl (according to the B&W photo), so presumably on the front u/c door, though not distinguishable in photo. What, if anything, might have been painted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmouredSprue Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Fantastic model and weathering. Very well done mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek A Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Nice one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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