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1/24 Airfix Hellcat: FINISHED !


Erwin

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This is my favorite WW2 USN fighter and I've got same box recently, but litle bit intidated by it b/c never worked in anything larger than 48 scale  so I am going to take a seat in the front row and watch how this is going to play.

 

Do you know which option are you going to build?

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2 hours ago, Doom3r said:

 

 

Do you know which option are you going to build?

Regarding markings.It will be U.S. But that's not so important to me.

 

I still have to decide to build it with straight wings or one straight+ one folded.

Certainly not both folded.

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I started by cleaning some of the parts and minor glueing.

 

There's a lot of internal detail in the fuselage and wings that can't be seen when both halves are joined.

 

 

123367365_3235311273261523_8358968679366

Edited by Erwin
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54 minutes ago, SAT69 said:

Nice start. I shudder to think of what the parts count is in that kit.

572.

 

Some are used only for folded wings.

And a lot of parts for internal detail that can be left out when closing the pannels.

Also various parts for rockets,fuel tank or bombs.

 

It all depends on how you want to display the final build.

Edited by Erwin
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Think I’ll sit in on this one.  

 

It’s one of those kits I can’t decide about.  I have to do a couple more Hellcats for my collection and I have a distant cousin who was quite handy in the Hellcat but with all the rest of the collection in 1/48 and with space becoming a problem and I have a 1/24 Typhoon in the stash - should I really go for this when I can get all the Eduard versions I need for less money?

 

Hmm 1st world problems!!!

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4 minutes ago, Grey Beema said:

  

 

It’s one of those kits I can’t decide about. 

 

 

If you like 1/24 th scale,then the Hellcat is the one for you.

 

I have build the Typhoon and Mosquito.Both excelent kits.

 

1-12.jpg?w=1200&h=

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Progress so far.

 

The inside doesn't have to be painted as I'm going for a closed build.Only the wheel bays.

Also did the cockpit parts that go in the same colour.

The flaps are dryfitted.

 

123491784_3239773586148625_4942096454070

Edited by Erwin
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11 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said:

Crikey some quick progress there,  looks good so far and the Tiffie  looks lovely. 

Would take me a lot longer to get this far, cracking work.

Chris

Thank you.

 

It's not a difficult build.And it's fast because I don't have to paint first.

It won't be the same speed for the fuselage and engine.

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3 hours ago, Marklo said:

One of isn’t by any chance a radar housing? Otherwise I’d say Airfix has alternate boxing’s in mind. Did Hellcats carry two drip tanks for longer range operations or ferrying ?

The one not in the instructions is also a centre line drop tank. I think.

 

123166267_3243641415761842_4028297710423

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It is a super kit, the fit perfect, so a coat of paint on some parts causes problems. 

I left all the hidden interior detail off, and built it as full span, wings unfolded. 

 

One point to watch: when you get to the engine the fit of all the cylinders, manifolds, etc, round the crankcase can be a problem. Mine was a "first batch" from Airfix, I hear that there were some later mould corrections.

On my kit it was impossible to slide the parts over the crankcase: I ended up turning 0.5mm from the part. 

 

Mine is almost there... 

 

I started it in June 2019, so it should be finished by the end of the year.... there was a summer "Garden" gap! 

 

Enjoy! 

 

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27 minutes ago, Erwin said:

The one not in the instructions is also a centre line drop tank. I think.

 

123166267_3243641415761842_4028297710423

 

I think the tank with a seam is specific to one of the versions offered, but the instructions are not exactly clear. Possibly the French or British versions. I left the tank off, so not an issue! 

Does anyone know for sure?

 

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1 hour ago, 224 Peter said:

One point to watch: when you get to the engine the fit of all the cylinders, manifolds, etc, round the crankcase can be a problem. Mine was a "first batch" from Airfix, I hear that there were some later mould corrections.

On my kit it was impossible to slide the parts over the crankcase: I ended up turning 0.5mm from the part. 

 

 

 

Dryfitting the parts of the engine also showed that problem.

Will have to do some sanding to make them fit.

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On 11/2/2020 at 6:16 PM, 224 Peter said:

 

I think the tank with a seam is specific to one of the versions offered, but the instructions are not exactly clear. Possibly the French or British versions. I left the tank off, so not an issue! 

Does anyone know for sure?

 

 

Here you go

 

https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2019/09/grumman-f6f-hellcat-belly-tank.html

 

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