Geo1966 Posted June 15 Share Posted June 15 (edited) I had big plans to enter quite a few GB’s this year, but installing a new kitchen over the last couple of months has seriously hampered my model making. The kitchen is finally finished (ish) now so I can start getting some decent bench time in again. My entry will be the Eduard Hellcat Mk.I. I will be making the box art version from 800 Sqn FAA, HMS Emperor, June 1944. This is a dual combo profipack so I have 2 of everything. All looks very nice. Few variations on the build as you can make a Mk.I or Mk.II. I like the look of the coloured PE especially, should look great in the cockpit. I'm hoping to make a start this weekend, fingers crossed. George Edited August 31 by Geo1966 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted June 23 Author Share Posted June 23 I’ve managed to make a start over the last couple of days. The cockpit is done, although I missed off a few of the tiny PE bits. I figure if it is smaller than the end of a toothpick, I would rather save my sanity and skip it. I painted the cockpit in AK 3rd Gen US interior yellow green. There was no call out for the head rest so I went with olive drab. Next up is to have a look at the engine and button up the fuselage. George 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 Hi George Great to see you and the Hellcat in the GB. I'm not surprised you couldn't find time or space for some kit bashing with the kitchen in pieces ! Best of luck with this one Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngantek Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 Very nice work on the cockpit. Nice kit, nice scale, attractive scheme. Am I right in thinking 800 were covering western approaches during the landings? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted June 24 Author Share Posted June 24 10 hours ago, Ngantek said: Am I right in thinking 800 were covering western approaches during the landings? Thanks. From what i can glean 800 Sqn were part of Operation "Neptune" giving fighter cover over the western approaches of the English Channel from June 5th. George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted June 25 Author Share Posted June 25 Got the fuselage together. You need to be a bit careful as there are no locating pins. Will have a look this evening to find out how I have done. George 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted July 1 Share Posted July 1 It always seems like good progress when the fuselage sides are glued together. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted July 2 Author Share Posted July 2 17 hours ago, PlaStix said: It always seems like good progress when the fuselage sides are glued together. Thanks Stix. Well i have managed to get a bit more done. I've cleaned up the fuselage. The only place that need a bit of sprue goo was the top of the engine cowling. I've also made up the engine. I had already weathered said engine so when i went to add the PE HT leads (I think thats what they are), it was pretty hard to see what i was doing. I stuck them in the middle then tried to bend them round as best i could. I even ended up giving the engine a dry brush with some silver to try to show them off a bit better. Forgot to mention i have added the rear of the canopy which on this version has windows. Eduard provide these as clear parts which to my mind is a good idea, as it saves trying to fit a couple of tiny windows. There is also a small PE grill which fits at the bottom of the front engine cowling, another nice touch. So, she is pretty much ready to have the wings and tail planes fitted now. George 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted July 4 Author Share Posted July 4 This kit goes together like a dream. The fit of the parts is exceptional with next to no filling needed. Got the wings and tail planes on. I have stuck the front cowling on with masking fluid to make painting it red easier when I get round to it. I didn’t need to worry about the engine HT leads too much, as they are not overly visible and I think look ok. I’ve also applied the supplied canopy masks, so its ready for an undercoat now, which will hopefully happen at the weekend. George 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted July 8 Share Posted July 8 That's coming together beautifully. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted July 12 Author Share Posted July 12 Managed to get an undercoat of Tamiya XF-66 Light Grey (thinned with Tamiya orange cap Lacquer thinner) applied. Little bit of remedial work done around the canopy and at the front of the wings, but apart from that okay. I’ve also started to knock up a little display base using a Lidl bamboo chopping board. If I remember correctly, they came in a pack of 5 for only a few quid. I find they are a good size for me as I have limited space. So far, I have stuck on a piece of plastic card and scribed some lines to simulate the steel panels of the deck. Probably totally wrong, but i am happy with it. George 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted July 20 Author Share Posted July 20 Bit more done on this one. I was in two minds whether to do the camo then the Invasion stripes or vice versa. I sprayed a coat of AK 3rd Gen Sky on then changed my mind and thought i should do the stripes first after looking at other builds on here. I’ve used AK 3rd Gen Insignia white rather than pure white. Next up masking the stripes, then some black. George 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phat trev Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 The engine detailing is exquisite and perfect for the scale, great job! I am building the 1/72 Hobbyboss version with the wings folded but should have probably chosen the Eduard option, in hindsight 😐 Can't wait to see the final build, and on your base too 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 Amazing job on that engine, I'm very jealous of your eyesight cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted July 22 Author Share Posted July 22 On 7/20/2024 at 9:32 AM, phat trev said: I am building the 1/72 Hobbyboss version with the wings folded but should have probably chosen the Eduard option, in hindsight 😐 That sounds interesting Trev. This kit is great. I am pretty new to aircraft building since my return to the hobby, but this is probably the best kit i have had the pleasure to make so far. I'm already looking forward to building the second one. On 7/20/2024 at 1:45 PM, JOCKNEY said: I'm very jealous of your eyesight Thanks Pat, i am actually half blind in one eye (rugby injury) so my distance perception is bad. Strong glasses and good lighting help though 🙂 Small update. I've managed to do the stripes, but am having trouble with Imgur uploading my photos. Maybe a knock on from the IT problems last week? George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Harmsworth Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 I've just caught up with your build - which is looking great. Neat idea to include a part of the carrier deck as well. I know what you mean about which order to do stuff in with invasion stripes. On mine, I had thought about doing them in the same order as on the real plane but in the end decided that I'd do the white first as it would be more problematic to get a good coverage over camouflage - and I hate painting white, so get it out of the way early. Win win. Love the engine - radials are so rewarding to build and paint. all the best Mark PS I use imgur as well so I'll have a look at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 9 hours ago, Geo1966 said: Thanks Pat, i am actually half blind in one eye (rugby injury) so my distance perception is bad. Strong glasses and good lighting help though 🙂 George Blimey George, I feel even more inadequate now ! Well done mate Cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phat trev Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 (edited) A bit of historical info (and something I found interesting so I hope others on here do too) FAA fighters (including I think Hellcats?) used as air cover during the D-Day landings were relocated to the South of France, taking part in Operation Dragoon. Many or all of the aircraft kept their D-Day stripes. Going to read into this further now as I am interested how this might have influenced marking options (post D-Day, many stripes were roughly painted over). Edited July 22 by phat trev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Beema Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 This help? Post D-day. Nice neat stripes… WITH THE EMPEROR OFF THE SOUTH COAST OF FRANCE. AUGUST 1944, ON BOARD THE ESCORT CARRIER HMS EMPEROR WHICH TOOK PART IN THE SOUTHERN FRANCE OPERATIONS.. Image: IWM (A 25505) IWM Non Commercial License WITH THE EMPEROR AT SEA. 19 JULY 1944, ON BOARD THE ESCORT CARRIER HMS EMPEROR, OFF THE SOUTHERN COAST OF FRANCE.. Image: IWM (A 25540) IWM Non Commercial License WITH THE EMPEROR OFF THE SOUTH COAST OF FRANCE. AUGUST 1944, ON BOARD THE ESCORT CARRIER HMS EMPEROR WHICH TOOK PART IN THE SOUTHERN FRANCE OPERATIONS.. Image: IWM (A 25509) IWM Non Commercial License WITH THE EMPEROR OFF THE SOUTH COAST OF FRANCE. AUGUST 1944, ON BOARD THE ESCORT CARRIER HMS EMPEROR WHICH TOOK PART IN THE SOUTHERN FRANCE OPERATIONS.. Image: IWM (A 25504) IWM Non Commercial License 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 Thanks @Mark Harmsworth. Interesting info @phat trev and great photos @Grey Beema As i mentioned previously i got the Invasion stripes masked up and then gave them a coat of AK 3rd Gen NATO Black. And Imgur is working again (maybe it was just me), so here are the photos. Not sure how others do this, but i found the easiest way was to do a white stripe, then do what will be a black stripe, then a white, etc. Then remove the black ones and reuse them on the next bit. So, next up is to mask the black then re-do the underside sky. George 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 (edited) 10 hours ago, Geo1966 said: Not sure how others do this, but i found the easiest way was to do a white stripe, then do what will be a black stripe, then a white, etc. Then remove the black ones and reuse them on the next bit. Nice work on the Hellcat. Close to my technique, I spray the white. Mask it for and spray the black, then I cover both up. I spray all the camouflage or nmf on then remove the striping cover tape. There you have invasion stripes and no overspray. Edited July 24 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted July 27 Author Share Posted July 27 (edited) After re doing the Sky, I masked up the underside then got a coat of AK 3rd Gen RAF Dark Slate Grey on the upper side. I then used the AK blobby stuff before spraying on a coat of RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey. Left it an hour or so, then the big reveal. My masking anguish is over! A few areas to touch up, but quite chuffed seeing as this is my first go at masking any type of stripes. The stripes look really bright even though I used insignia white and NATO black. So my next task is to touch up where needed and do a bit of detail painting (exhausts, rear wheel, guns, etc). George Edited July 27 by Geo1966 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimbledon99 Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 Loving this build. I built this one some years ago! Spookily looks like my own workbench Honestly; the mat, stand (even the tape on it!!), putty - I feel you could be my modelling doppelganger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted July 29 Author Share Posted July 29 On 7/27/2024 at 10:50 PM, wimbledon99 said: I feel you could be my modelling doppelganger! Thanks Wimbledon or should i call you Bro! 😄 Guess we are both tidy and have good taste. No real update on the Hellcat as I’m still touching up, but I have finished my interpretation of a carrier deck display base. Basically, I sprayed it with rattle can grey primer then added the white stripe. I then used various enamel washes to produce a bit of variation and a few drips here and there to represent oil, paint, etc. It's not supposed to represent any particular carrier or be historically accurate, but I think it will set the Hellcat off nicely. George 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryHobbyin Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 Awesome Job on the Flight Deck !!! it Looks really really good and so does the Hellcat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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