DaveJL Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Hello all, Here are my entries for this GB - Eduard's 1/48 MK.I/MK.II dual combo. I picked this up for an absolute steal on ebay and glad I did as the plastic and detail throughout looks fantastic. Of course, being a dual combo, there's enough for two kits. I had initially just wanted to build a FAA Mk.II, but I then saw some lovely USN decals on Hannants (which were nearly the same as what I paid for this kit to give you an idea of the bargain I managed to get!) so I'll be doing a USN F6F-3 too. The FAA machine will be in the markings of 1844 Naval Air Squadron, flying off HMS Indomitable in the Pacific in 1945. Indomitable's Hellcats accounted for 40 enemy aircraft downed during their Pacific campaign. JX814 was flown by Sub Lt W.M.C Foster who became one of the few Hellcat aces in the FAA after downing 5 Japanese aircraft during Operations to secure Okinawa. JX814 was subsequently downed by AA fire from allied ships. (On a side note I'm a bit ashamed to say that this is my first FAA model, ever! I do have plenty in the stash to make up for it though - two Sea Harriers, Phantom, Sea King, Wessex...) The USN machine will be in the markings of VF-27, flying off the USS Princeton in October 1944 and flown by Ensign Gordon Arthur Stanley, who would be credited with 8 victories. This aircraft was lost when the Princeton was sunk by a Torpedo on 24th October, 1944. The lovely HGW decals for the VF-27 scheme: My first Hellcats too I should mention Cheers and stay safe Dave 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 A couple of great choices Dave. Sounds like you got your kit for a real bargain, especially considering everything that you get in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thom216 Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 First one up on the board! Nice pair of choices too. Pulling up a stool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted June 21, 2021 Author Share Posted June 21, 2021 Thanks chaps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbow Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Super choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 A double treat Always nice to know something of the pilots who flew these machines and the two different schemes will make for an interesting comparison. Also a good way to open your collection of FAA subjects Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted June 24, 2021 Author Share Posted June 24, 2021 Thanks mate! I've read good reviews about the Eduard kits so I'm looking forward to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 8, 2021 Author Share Posted August 8, 2021 Finally made a start on these - needed to get a move on to get the interest going for them again as it looks like over committed to number of GBs. Anyway, cockpits painted up, given some silver dry brushing and a wash, then the etch fitted. I admit I cheated a bit here and didn't add every bit; mostly because a lot can't be seen and partly because it's too fiddly! FAA MK.II: USN F6F-3: Fuselage halves also prepped, with the necessary cut in the centre to add the fuel tank. MK.II at the top, F6F-3 below (the windows at the rear make this one easy to spot). Not much, but it's perked my interest in the subject up again. I'll do some small bits and pieces as I work to get the F-16 completed over the next week or so. Then I've just a Rafale to start, then the F-4 GB... and F-14 GB More soon and stay safe Dave 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Beema Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 (edited) Great start. Should the fuselage aft of the seat frame be in Grumman Grey for the -3? Edited August 8, 2021 by Grey Beema Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 8, 2021 Author Share Posted August 8, 2021 19 minutes ago, Grey Beema said: Great start. Should the fuselage aft of the seat frame be in Grumman Grey for the -3? Good question mate; I’ve no idea! The instructions went with the interior green so that will suffice for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 8, 2021 Author Share Posted August 8, 2021 I’ve just noticed that the F6F-3 I’m making has the later style cowling - parts J3 & J4, which are already being used for the MK II. So I can change my decal choice, which isn’t a great option as I’m a big fan of the sharks mouth or can try and source a later cowling. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 A great start on these Dave, the completed cockpits look very nice indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Beema Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 37 minutes ago, DaveJL said: I’ve just noticed that the F6F-3 I’m making has the later style cowling - parts J3 & J4, which are already being used for the MK II. So I can change my decal choice, which isn’t a great option as I’m a big fan of the sharks mouth or can try and source a later cowling. I think I might have a spare set if you need them.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 19 hours ago, modelling minion said: A great start on these Dave, the completed cockpits look very nice indeed. Thanks mate! 19 hours ago, Grey Beema said: I think I might have a spare set if you need them.. Cheers for the offer but @Bbdave has kindly sorted me with a spare. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 A little more progress today. Both fuselages closed up. Fit was not bad, but did end up with a nasty seam both top and bottom. Some filler needed and careful sanding to follow. I also built up the wings. For some reason, the flaps on those for the MK.II did not sit very well, but when the wings are dry fitted to the fuselage, they do 🤔. So I'll fit the wings to the MK.II fuselage first then pop in the flaps. No issues with the F6F-3 for whatever reason (bottom); I've always liked the Hellcat and it's size and chunkiness compared to my recent Spitfire, Hurricane and ME-109 is something to marvel at! More soon and stay safe Dave 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bbdave Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 I thought the Hellcat had a seam on the top spine. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 12 minutes ago, Bbdave said: I thought the Hellcat had a seam on the top spine. Dave Thanks mate, it wasn't clear in the instructions. The seam seems overly heavy to me so I'll be gentle with the sanding so hopefully it won't all disappear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 A little more done. Cleaned up the filler and sanded back the upper seams just a bit. They should hopefully look ok under paint. Rudder, arrestor hook and stabilisers all fitted. Fuel tanks built up: The fit of the forward arms wasn't great but thankfully this won't be seen too much once fitted. I was tempted to buy resin replacements with the correct horizontal seem around the tanks but decided to keep them OOB to keep things moving along. Next stage will be to get the engines assembled and cowlings fitted. More soon and stay safe Dave 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 15, 2021 Author Share Posted August 15, 2021 A little more to show. Wings are on: Seams were also checked with some leftover black in the airbrush. They look fine so far! Late type cowling arrived thanks to @Bbdave. Both cowlings then assembled. Some filler needed as the fit is a bit iffy. I'll undoubtedly lose some rivet detail when fixing this up but I can live with that. I didn't realise just how big the Hellcat was... More soon and stay safe Dave 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortCummins Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 sit her next to a Corsair and she'll become small again 🤣 looking good 👍 rgds John(shortCummins) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bbdave Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 Glad to see they arrived safe, saves them languishing in my bits draw. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 15, 2021 Author Share Posted August 15, 2021 2 hours ago, shortCummins said: sit her next to a Corsair and she'll become small again 🤣 looking good 👍 rgds John(shortCummins) Thanks mate! I do have a Corsair somewhere 1 hour ago, Bbdave said: Glad to see they arrived safe, saves them languishing in my bits draw. Dave Much appreciated mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 Tidy progress on these two Dave It's surprising just how large this single-engined single-seat fighter was and particularly visible when seen beside your F-16! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 19, 2021 Author Share Posted August 19, 2021 On 8/16/2021 at 4:00 PM, Col. said: Tidy progress on these two Dave It's surprising just how large this single-engined single-seat fighter was and particularly visible when seen beside your F-16! Thanks mate. Yes, I didn't realise how big they were! A bit more done. The engines were built up and painted. No where near as detailed as some of the excellent examples in this GB. but I'm content! Cowlings built up. Some clean up needed and I had to run some Mr Dissolved putty along the seam lines on the inside. Fitted: Hoping to get the windscreens on tomorrow and a few other bits before starting to mask up. More soon Dave 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted August 20, 2021 Author Share Posted August 20, 2021 Windscreens on with cockpits all masked up: A bit of sanding was needed just at then sides where the windscreens meet the fuselage but nothing major. I'm planning on fitting the landing gear next, as this all appears to be the colour of the lower fuselage so it would save me a bit of time when painting. Just hope I don't break it off with my ham fists Interestingly, this boxing doesn't make reference to resin wheels, which I believe later boxings had. Perhaps this was the first run, which may also explain some poor parts of the instructions Feeling more positive that I'll get both these done in time! Saying that, I'm still considering adding some resin fuel tanks... More soon Dave 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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