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Hello everyone! I am a newbie, but I've finally found the "courage" to post my work for you to see 😄 I would like to share with you my building process of the HobbyBoss 1/48 F6F-5 Hellcat. A small introduction: I have been told on this forum that this kit has some rather serious scale issues. At first, I decided to put it aside, and got the Eduard 1/48 F6F-3 Profipack kit. However, when I started building the Eduard's kit, I realized that such a plane would require some good weathering techniques, e.g. the smoke stains on the fuselage and wings. This will be my first propeller aircraft kit since I got my airbrush, so I have no experience in using it for weathering. Also, I have only built 1/72 jet planes with no or very little weathering. To remedy this, I've decided to build the Hobby Boss kit and use it as a test bench to try such techniques before using them on the Eduard's kit. Having said that: I've decided to build the aircraft in the closed wings position. When looking at the instructions, I noticed that many internal parts, particularly behind the firewall, are modeled but are completely unaccessible after closing the fuselage. Therefore, I've decided to modify the kit and build it in a "maintenance" state, with some panels removed. This is also a first for me 😄 Following the instructions, I've started by building the cockpit: I've decided to try some paint chipping. I've used the hairspray technique, decanting the hairspray and applying it with the airbrush. I've found it to be very easy to use, and I'm satisfied with the result on the seat. Probably the chipping is excessive (I have not found reference of such worn planes) but it was a test I some points I applied to much force and got down to the bare plastic. Luckily it's not too visible. I had an accident while applying the instrument's panel decal: I started using Revell Decal Soft to conform the decal to the slightly recessed instrument holes, but it was not strong enough. So I used Tamiya's Mark Fit Strong, which in turn melted the decal 🙄 I have stripped everything away and hand painted the instruments, using some PVA glue for the "glass" effect. I have painted the instruments using "F6F Hellcat in detail and scale", as well as pictures from the Web, as reference. As a small modification, I have added the metal tube above the seat, and I have fabricated the seatbelts using 0.5mm aluminum wire and masking tape, painted in khaki. Having decided to "open up" the fuselage a bit, the engine required some additional work. I have added ignition wires for all (36 🥴) spark plugs using the same 0.5mm wire as before. I've also used some 2mm wire to build the intake and exhaust manifolds. I've used the instructions for the 1/24 Airfix F6F as a reference to understand how the manifolds are arranged, but I have not been able to replicate them perfectly as they would not fit in the available space. I have used some Tamiya accent line black to higlight some details, but I still have to remove the excess, as well as giving a flat clear coating (those exhausts are way too shiny). I still have to paint the "bell" in the front of the engine and do some minor touch-ups. This is where I am now. I would be very grateful if you had any comment or suggestions, I know I still have to improve a lot! Thank you! Kind regards, Davide

Hello! Here’s my recent project, an Eduard (Profipack) Hellcat F6F-5 Late. It means PE, canopy masks and resin wheels included, which is great. Everything went fine, this is a very good kit. Even after I dropped some varnish all over the right wing. So, ALWAYS put the airbrush cup lid ON! Lesson learned… Hope you enjoy! Cheers!

This is my first work in progress post so please be gentle on me. This was going to be my winter project, then when I had to go into lockdown for 12 weeks it became my virus project. Unfortunately I have to go into hospital on Tuesday so this may be as far as I get. The kit is great so far, I am not sure if the kit is a lot better than the Typhoon or if I have got better, but so far there are no issues putting it together. I went for a cockpit upgrade kit and I don’t think it was worth it. The seat belts from HGW are excellent and well worth the investment. I have freestyled the inside of the back of the aircraft as I want to leave the bottom hatch showing. I have taken some inspiration from Nigels Modeling Bench but not followed him exactly. I have the Anyz engine upgrade set and brass undercarriage which I have to make a start on but I am leaving that until after my hospital visit. Eventually it will be finished in the FAA scheme as I am ex RN myself so it seemed the obvious choice. These close up photos show up errors and such that I just cant seen with the naked eye 😢

So, my latest adventure into the wonderful hobby of model building. The new Airfix 1:24 F6F-5 Hellcat: Going to be doing it in the "Operation SUNFISH" scheme, (only just because I think the other schemes look less interesting, just being blue [;)]) As usual, I just dived straight in without thought of photos and have only now thought to take any! This is being built OTB with the exception of the guns. Bought a replacement brass set (tho can't remember who from!) The cockpit, fuse and wings went together without many problems. Only issue I faced was when I joined the fuse and wings together and found the fuse was slightly larger than the gap in the wings! No doubt an oversight on my part, but nothing some sanding couldn't fix. Bit of overspray in the cockpit where I got carried away with the rattle can Have now just finished up the engine, added the extra detail with 0.7mm copper wire as suggested in the instructions..............question, what colour should the copper hoses be? Black?? Thinking I might leave it copper colour to give a bit of 'character'. Thats it for now.............more to come..............thinking I have lots of 'free time' due to the current corona situation Stay safe out there.