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1/48 double - FAA Hellcat MK.II & USN F6F-3. Finished 26/09.


DaveJL

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These are looking very good! :thumbsup:

 

I always find that I could build a model better--sometimes much better--a 2nd time. Are you always doing each step on one of them first or alternating between them?

 

I was quite happy with Archer Fine Transfers' Raised Panel Lines to add a horizontal seam on the tank of my build; I will use them for such detail work again.

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10 minutes ago, dnl42 said:

These are looking very good! :thumbsup:

 

I always find that I could build a model better--sometimes much better--a 2nd time. Are you always doing each step on one of them first or alternating between them?

 

I was quite happy with Archer Fine Transfers' Raised Panel Lines to add a horizontal seam on the tank of my build; I will use them for such detail work again.

Thanks mate.

 

I'm building them in tandem, but with the F6F-3 first in line, just because of slight OCD :lol:

 

Those transfers look very nice. Is there a UK stockist?

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As mentioned in my last update, I've decided to fit the landing gear prior to painting as the entire assembly is the same colour as the lower fuselage. A nice and sturdy set up:

 

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Antenna also added and they're pretty much ready for primer now:

 

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Hoping to get some paint down later this week.

 

More soon and stay safe

 

Dave

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  • DaveJL changed the title to 1/48 double - FAA Hellcat MK.II & USN F6F-3. Update 22/08.

You're clearly not a klutz, as I am! :worthy:

 

I wouldn't even think about attaching antennas before painting. I've been trained to remove any manner of molded-on antennas before assembly. As for the MLG, while I built them on-wing for alignment, they're safely unattached and awaiting paint.

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11 minutes ago, dnl42 said:

You're clearly not a klutz, as I am! :worthy:

 

I wouldn't even think about attaching antennas before painting. I've been trained to remove any manner of molded-on antennas before assembly. As for the MLG, while I built them on-wing for alignment, they're safely unattached and awaiting paint.

I've no doubt one may come off :lol:

 

The landing gear looks like it shouldn't to too much trouble to paint in situ. I know some purists are probably screaming at the screen now!

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8 hours ago, modelling minion said:

They're coming along a treat Dave, the undercarriage does look nice and firm.

Cheers mate. They've been given a coat of primer this afternoon and all is looking good!

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8 hours ago, coneheadff said:

Wow...and they all look good!

Thanks mate. I've had a closer look at them this evening and there are a few areas I'm not happy with. I know the Hellcats had a seam between the fuselage joins but it just looks odd to me in plastic. Hopefully it'll look ok under some paint.

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Some progress. Both models were pre-shaded, ready for paint:

 

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White for the undersides of the F6F-3:

 

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Sky for the MK.II:

 

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Both paints from MRP and went on beautifully. I left more of the pre-shade than I normally would to get a more worn effect. Hoping to get the camouflage on the MK.II done tomorrow along with the sub assemblies all being well.

 

More soon

 

Dave

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  • DaveJL changed the title to 1/48 double - FAA Hellcat MK.II & USN F6F-3. Update 25/08.
23 hours ago, modelling minion said:

They're both looking really good Dave, very neat job on the pre-shading. 

Thanks mate! I always find it a bit tedious though :lol:

 

More done today and I focused on the FAA MK.II. I'd ordered a paint mask a few weeks ago:

 

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So I set to it, putting down the Dark Slate Grey (as opposed to Olive Drab - glad a researched that!) first. Bone dry in less than 10 minutes so a tidy up coat was applied then left aside for an hour. Mask then went on, very well I must say, and on went the Extra Dark Sea Grey. Ended up like this:

 

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The fuel tanks and wheels are finished and the props just need glossed and stencils added:

 

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Hoping to finish the props before work tomorrow and get a coat of gloss on the airframe with the aim of getting decals done on Sunday.

 

More soon and stay safe

 

Dave

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  • DaveJL changed the title to 1/48 double - FAA Hellcat MK.II & USN F6F-3. Update 26/08.

Very nice paintjob Dave. I'll be honest, MRP's EDSG is the one shade of their range I have but don't use as it's really not dark enough :raincloud: Otherwise they're the perfect paint for ease of use and finish. The masking really seems to have worked perfectly 👍

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1 hour ago, modelling minion said:

Neat job on the painting Dave, the masks seem to have worked very well.

Thanks mate!

50 minutes ago, Alan P said:

Very nice paintjob Dave. I'll be honest, MRP's EDSG is the one shade of their range I have but don't use as it's really not dark enough :raincloud: Otherwise they're the perfect paint for ease of use and finish. The masking really seems to have worked perfectly 👍

Cheers! We'll just say the grey has faded with use :lol:

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Props done:

 

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Lights painted and ready to be fitted:

 

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A couple of coats of gloss are on the MK.II. Another one required then I'll get the decals on over the weekend.

 

More soon and stay safe

 

Dave

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  • DaveJL changed the title to 1/48 double - FAA Hellcat MK.II & USN F6F-3. Update 27/08.
8 hours ago, Col. said:

Nice progress Dave. Everything is looking neat and tidy :) 

Thanks mate!

 

Decals are on the MK.II:

 

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I left off some stencils as in a few of the images I've seen these are hard to make out anyway. You might also make out the staining on the wings with missing roundels. Looks like from the paint guide that there may have been roundels on both wings at some point so I added these to give a bit of a worn look.

 

Hoping to get a panel wash on and make a start on the weathering tomorrow. I'm off to Cornwall on Tuesday (everything pre-booked thankfully, 5 months in advance no less,  and the missus and I will be abiding by all guidance. Thank heavens we're not festival goers!) followed next week by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hanger and London, with a visit to Lakenheath and Coningsby on the cards so will be away from the bench for a couple of weeks.

 

More soon and stay safe.

 

Dave

 

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  • DaveJL changed the title to 1/48 double - FAA Hellcat MK.II & USN F6F-3. Update 29/08.
18 hours ago, dnl42 said:

You've got a great finish on that! Very well done.:clap2:

Thanks mate!

 

Managed to get a panel wash on today along with some silver 'chipping' around the leading edges of the wings, walkways, cockpit and cowling done with some thinned done Tamiya XF-16 and a piece of sponge.

 

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More in about a fortnight!

 

Cheers and stay safe

 

Dave

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  • DaveJL changed the title to 1/48 double - FAA Hellcat MK.II & USN F6F-3. Update 30/08.

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