New Big Hellcat-FYI

[pat d]

Just a short post for those obtaining the new Airfix 1/24 F6F. It is a little known fact that the F6F had a dorsal and ventral seam running down the rear fuselage spine, much like the Bf109, actually it was slightly offset from the centerline like 1/4 inch or so. Might save you a bit of filling...Briefly goes from behind the antenna plate (behind the cockpit) to the fin leading edge base on the upper rear fuselage.  On the lower rear fuselage from first lateral seam to the belly hatch (slightly offset) then from the belly hatch to the tail wheel well, and a short distance behind the tail wheel rear doubler to the hold back fairing. Check your references and here are some hopefully helpful photos, including a 1/48 kit under construction. You may have to blow a few up for better viewing, but you get the idea. HTH, Pat D

 

[Chuck1945]

Very helpful, thanks for posting

[tempestfan]

Nice hint, but the pics suggest the starboard panels overlap the port ones on top at least, just like each forward panel overlaps the one to its rear. Does the Airfix recreate the vertical overlap? 

[Ossington 2]

Oh No! Not a potential Fatal Flaw! Unbuildable!

[tempestfan]

My point was that a recessed longitudinal joint might look not so good if the vertical joints are depicted as overlaps.