Grumman Hellcat

[825]

When rifling through the stash looking for something else I came across this. 

 

 

Its not a new kit by any means, and the box is more than a bit bashed. However, as even older Hasegawa kits go together well, I thought it would be a good one for this GB. The box contains three dark blue sprues of nicely moulded pieces. The detail is raised but it's so fine it's hard to notice that it's not engraved. 

 

 

There's a single sprue of clear parts, two options of a canopy and the windows for one version. They unfortunately have quite prominent lugs to fit them with. And a nice transfer sheet for three options. However the sheet is a bit bashed. 

 

 

 

 

 

Straightforaward well detailed instructions and colour call outs for the otions. 

 

 

 

http://village.photos/images/user/c313ebc3-aec6-4f08-a7b5-adc9f4ef3d9b/resized_525037f6-d1b8-49ce-a9cc-843bfa21bffd.JPG

 

 

And remember when kit makers told us what everything in the box was? 

 

[JOCKNEY]

Looks a nice kit, a golden oldie so right up my street and it tells you the colours to paint things !

 

Good luck with this one.

 

Cheers Pat 

[Col.]

An old kit but a good one nonetheless  

[825]

On 7/27/2021 at 8:35 PM, JOCKNEY said:

Looks a nice kit, a golden oldie so right up my street and it tells you the colours to paint things !

 

Good luck with this one.

 

Cheers Pat 

Thanks Pat, it's beautifully moulded and nicely engineered. I'm hopeful it'll go together quite straightforwardly. It's probably what I need as I've done a few challenging ones of late as well as having a few on the go. I'll be finishing it as an FAA Hellcat Mk II probably in TSS. 

 

On 7/28/2021 at 12:05 PM, Col. said:

An old kit but a good one nonetheless  

It is rather nice.

 

Anyway I've got some paint on. 

 

 

[825]

Some paint on. As my brush painted Sky is really thin it's taking more than a few coats to cover up the dark blue plastic. 

 

[825]

Interior built up. I was concerned that the transfers might not be useable but apart from needing a lengthy soaking they performed fine. The seat belts are Kits World 3D Decals and they are so easy to use. 

 

 

Some other sub assemblies done, drop tank and engine. 

 

[825]

Fuselage closed up and cowling added on, nice fit all round. Though I wonder if I should have waited with the cowling until the lower wing was on. Too late now

 

 

[825]

Lower wing on now. 

 

 

If it it wasn't for the paint you wouldn't see the join. 

 

[825]

Upper wing surface on. Will need a sliver of filler but otherwise line some up well. 

 

 

i have been putting some Sky on the underside but like the lower wing it'll take a few coats. 

[Col.]

Taking shape nicely  

[825]

On 8/16/2021 at 3:42 PM, Col. said:

Taking shape nicely  

Thanks Col. 

 

I'm moving ahead at quite a pace now, and forgot to take some photos on the way. Anyhow the undersides completed and masked, then a few coats of Dark Slate Grey on and an initial coat of Extra Dark Sea Grey.  Another coat of EDSG and we'll be ready for the transfers. 

 

[stevehnz]

Coming together well, I rather think I should be doing one of these rather than the Matchbox one in this GB, at least this one has a half decent cockpit, not something one could accuse the MB one of having.

Steve.

[825]

7 hours ago, stevehnz said:

Coming together well, I rather think I should be doing one of these rather than the Matchbox one in this GB, at least this one has a half decent cockpit, not something one could accuse the MB one of having.

Steve.

I built the MB one a few years ago and it went together well, though to be fair the cockpit is a bit basic compared with this Hasegawa one. The Hellcat's cockpit is pretty roomy compared say to a Seafire or Hurricane so there needs to be a bit of something in there. Painting pretty much done and unmasked. 

 

 

A little bit of cleaning up needed and then the transfers on. 

[825]

The transfers on and ready for the final parts added. I still have to mask the canopy but that's a fairly straightforward job. The transfers behaved well, nicely thin but strong enough and the white is nice and dense with no 'see through'. Perhaps too white as it's quite stark on the TSS colours. We'll see how it looks once everything is pulled together with some matt varnish 

 

[Col.]

Looking good  The white is quite stark but as you say the matt coat may help to pull that in enough.

[825]

21 hours ago, Col. said:

Looking good  The white is quite stark but as you say the matt coat may help to pull that in enough.

Thanks Col. The alternative will be a light wash but that might be too streaky. Looking at photos of BPF Hellcats, and theaircraft in general, they do look quite clean. Although from B&W photos you can never conclude anything completely.  

 

Anyway the undercarriage and belly tank are on, and require a little touching up. There's also a small transfer to go on the front undercarriage door. 

 

 

Wheels given inital painting, popped on and the Hellcat is now sitting on her under own three feet. Just the prop and canopy to go. A little bit of masking and painting for them and we'll be done. 

 

[825]

Most of the remaining parts on. 

 

 

Canopy masked. 

 

 

And canopy affixed. 

 

 

Just the canopy to be painted, a coat or two of matt varnish, masking off and we're done and ready for the gallery. Oh and an aerial added. 

[stevehnz]

That has come up well, I'll look forward to seeing it in the gallery.

Steve.

[825]

On 9/11/2021 at 11:56 AM, stevehnz said:

That has come up well, I'll look forward to seeing it in the gallery.

Steve.

Thanks Steve, it's a nice kit, typical Hasegawa, well thought out and a lot of very fine detail. 

 

We now have the canopy painted, a few coats of Liquitex matt varnish on and the canopy unmasked. Aerial on and painted. So finished and ready for the gallery. 

 

 

 

[Alan P]

Very tidy build, well done 👏👏👏

[Col.]

While this kit may now be playing second fiddle to the newer Eduard offering you've proved a fine model can still be created from it with the correct skills. Nice work