Academy 1/72 Hellcat F6F-3 - COMPLETED

[robw_uk]

while I try to find time to finish the Widgeon (airbrushing doesnt comenaturally so I have to have decent amounts of time) I have started the Academy 1/72 Hellcat (going for the dash 3 version). This will be OOB apart from a few small extras (seatbelts, maybe some cockpit extras depending on how adventurous I feel and perhaps a little extra plumbing on the front of the engine)..

ok so here we go

Box Shot

Parts

Engine Detail (will at least put the starter(?) ring and maybe the 2 sets of plumbing into each segment

Cockpit Side (might be added too but maybe not - not sure if I can do much without starting from scratch)

current progress

noticed on a number of picture that above the seat but below the head rest there was a handle (assume a grab handle to help get in/out). The model had this as a solid plastic block so thought I would remove it and add a handle... This is my first attempt at bending wire (.20 copper)

Start

Removed the molded part

Finally got the handle to stick - superglue is a pain - needs a touch of cleaning up

next steps

1) clean up modified bulkhead

2) add kit cockpit sides (blutack to start) to see if I feel up to adding extras - have some thin wire incase some fictitious cabling helps

3) add starter ring to engine

Edited July 2, 2010 by robw_uk

[robw_uk]

update on the cockpit sides - found out that the knobs & bumps modled in the kit bare no resemblance to the actual thing (no surprise there).... well I am not really up to building a 1/72 cockpit from scratch so will just paint and detail what I am given (thus concentrating on getting better at painting).....

[robw_uk]

just a small update... started on the cockpit, dies attached, back attached to base, paint applied (well base green, needs shading & detailing)

the IP is just a decal so just need to detail the sides, seat, back and then see how good it is...

[Wolfpack]

Check that the correct number of 'teeth' are present for the cat's mouth markings. the Eduard kit is two short.

W

[robw_uk]

Check that the correct number of 'teeth' are present for the cat's mouth markings. the Eduard kit is two short.

W

thanks for the heads up... I have tha academy version - think there are either 4 or 5 in the kit - 2 on the verticals in the air intake then also in the middle o feach intake segment (that should make 5).... not looking forward to painting the red in the intake...... that will be brushed (guess done before I mount the engine or paint the fuselgae - atht way I can use wet kitchen towel to fill the intake)...... might do that paint next

[robw_uk]

hmmmm that green is too green.... will have to work on that - maybe use a yellower-green in the highlighting (the cockpit is very cramped and shadowed in 1/72......)

[robw_uk]

well cockpit built, when dry fitting I noticed you cant see much of it so not going to weather it.... next is to cut out the -3 windows. Does anyone know what can be seen behind that? The bulkhead has some nasty casting marks so will cover in plasticard, but not sure if it is worth doinganything else (guess you wont see anything as the windows are soooooo small anyway.

Engine is painted too - not sure whether to add small wires for the plumbing - again, dont think you will see it form the front....

next is the wing assembly - now the wheel wells may just get a little extra attention

will post pics later in the week

[Howard of Effingham]

i have built this kit a couple of years ago, [academy have boxed it with other markings istr] and it goes

together very well indeed.

trevor

[robw_uk]

i have built this kit a couple of years ago, [academy have boxed it with other markings istr] and it goes

together very well indeed.

trevor

it definately does - compared to the Airfix 1.72 Widgeon I have just completed (in which the undercarriage is not strong enough to support the aircraft) this is a dream... hoping that an "easier" build allows me to concentrate on getting the painting correct (and the fact that I am hoping to get a compressor this week so I can move off canisters)

[Deon]

thanks for the heads up... I have tha academy version - think there are either 4 or 5 in the kit - 2 on the verticals in the air intake then also in the middle o feach intake segment (that should make 5).... not looking forward to painting the red in the intake...... that will be brushed (guess done before I mount the engine or paint the fuselgae - atht way I can use wet kitchen towel to fill the intake)...... might do that paint next

Ive also got the revell kit , again the decals have the wrong number of teeth according to the box art ??

[robw_uk]

Ive also got the revell kit , again the decals have the wrong number of teeth according to the box art ??

if I remember, this one has 3 teeth - 1 on either of the "splitters" (the vertical elements in the grill) and one in the centre of the grill. An illustration I have fomr the internet shows 4 theeth... so perhaps there is someconfusion. Will check the box to see exactly what is in

[robw_uk]

ok- firstly, the teeth - kit has 3 - 1 center and 1 on either vertical splitter - getting them in the outside segments would be impossible - way too narrow!!!

ok so the build

first note - my shoulder straps are way too short - something for me to note for next time - but they arent horrendous so using wine bottle foil does work. images are of the final cockpit assembly plus a dry fit. I have now cut the side window areas behind the bulkhead so will assess if I need to fill the bulhead mouldings or just accept it (not sure how much you will see unles syou really stared).

so images

have glued the wing halves and, like I said, removed the portion behind the bulkhead for the cockpit side windows.

Next steps

1) KLEAR coat the canopy

2) add engine to cowling (not adding all the fiddly wires - dont think they will be seen behind the prop)

3) decide whether to fill the rear of the bulkhead and paint the rear interior (light grey I believe)

how do you think I am doing guys - a few pointers would help me no end

[robw_uk]

ok - so added "some" wiring..... 18 in total.. .not quite asdifficult as I thought but adding another 18 would just clutter it..

images:

getting there - starting main aseembly soon - wings together (rocket pylon holes filled cos I aint using them), rear of cockpit does need painting so that is tomorrows job.....

[robw_uk]

well I have done some painiting on it... undercarriage and wheel hubs white plus preshading (black but not overly heavy) on the main aircraft and black tires and prop. Must say, a controllable air-source really does make life easier.... am not saying I am brilliant but at least i am not just spraying and hoping......

Will post some pictures once I have started the main painting. as it will be 3-tone navy scheme I will start with the white underside to about half way up the fueslage (to allow me to blen it in to the medium blue..... feeling a bit more confident about being able to apply pain to so hopefully I will do the kit justice.....

[robw_uk]

quick help needed guys.... have done pre-shading which, under the white, looks ok (not too OTT)... when I do the mid blue I am expecting some variation but not so much with the dark blue. For this I wanted to mark some oe thf panels to show replacements (assume therefore no (little) fading in the sun).. .... so should I

1) paint the dark blue with a drop of white to fade the upper surfaces then paint the "new" panels in the original dark blue

2) paint the upper surfaces in the original dark blue then the new panels in dark blue + a bit of blak (to darken)....

or some combination of 1, 2 and mystical option 3...

thanks for the help guys - hope to have the mid-blue on today then some photos posted....

[Basosz]

I like the way you progressed from the Widgeon. There is a definite growth in your abilities. You don't seem to be afraid to tackle anything that comes your way and that's good mate. When did you start building kits?

[robw_uk]

I like the way you progressed from the Widgeon. There is a definite growth in your abilities. You don't seem to be afraid to tackle anything that comes your way and that's good mate. When did you start building kits?

I started building kits erm... 30 years ago... mostly 1/72 armour for wargames.... stopped when I was 18 and started again 3 months ago after a 20 year gap (broken wrist pulled me away from computers) - this is the 4th model (2 finished, widgeon sits unloved waiting on my KLEAR practice later this week)......

and thanks for the comments - I do feel this build is going a fair bit better than the Widgeon (that kit is a pain)..... ok... on to todays update

added the 3rd part of the tri-colour camo. So now I have white, mid blue (Hum 145) and dark blue (5x Hum 77 + 1 x white)- thinking I should've replicated the 5:1 colour:white on the lighter blue as well - can this be rectified in weathering or do I need to mask up again and hit it with lighter. PLan is to darken some of the panels with plain Hum 77 on thewings to replicate newer panels vs faded older ones... what should happen to decals on these - do you experts think the new panels would;ve been painted to match the original insignia or perhaps (depending on when the repair happened) left blank?

ok... and images

techniques used this time

1) blu-tac masking... am suprised how easy it is to get soft edges. Need to work a bit on the blending side but gives me confidence to perhaps try a WWII allied fighter in camo scheme next (may just paint over the spit I have done this year rather than build a new one - but who knows)

2) pre-shading... this time didnt obliterate the pre-shading... ok in the 2 blue ares its gone but in the white it has broken the monotone - as has my uneven airbrushing

3) "proper" AB compressor - that really did make the difference vs canister.... being able to control pressure is the biggest bonus going

and next work...

1) build UC (all painted - wheels masked not too bad)

2) add fuel tank

3) paint and mount 2 bombs (not putting rockets on as it is a dash-3)

4) mask and darken a couple of the dark blue panels (one on engine, couple on wings - not too many as it would be a patchwork)

thanks all for your input & support - any comments please feel free (especially constructive criticism)

[robw_uk]

And here she is.... base painting complete, just need to add the 2 bombs and unmask the prop....... slightly messed up the mid-blue one one side - touched it up but now looks uneven... may have to mask up that area and spray but that makes me worried that I will ruin more.. or could leave it and weather it in somehow..... anyway... wheels down here she is all ready for bobms & futur (tomorrow)

letting her rest overnight then will futur up (did the Widgeon with a soft wide brush - not too bad actually so will use same on this one)

[Metallicus]

looking really good love the blue tack method so simple but great results!

Just remember each model you do is a practice run for the next!

Nice work and good luck for the next step's!

[robw_uk]

cheers Metallicus... 1st coat of FUTUR applied with soft brush - no streaks or anything but not instantly super glossy. 2nd coat applied and will leave to cure overnight..... it is warm here (for the UK anyway) does that affect how glossy or how many coats, or just how quick it cureS?

[HOUSTON]

robw_uk

WOW that is such a lovely Hellcat....

[robw_uk]

robw_uk

WOW that is such a lovely Hellcat....

cheers Houston 2nd coat of FUTUR seems to have taken well and will start decaling tonight - going to try using FUTUR as decal setter (read about it on here and ARC) so wish me look....... pictures later once they are on and coated again

[Nobby]

while I try to find time to finish the Widgeon (airbrushing doesnt comenaturally so I have to have decent amounts of time) I have started the Academy 1/72 Hellcat (going for the dash 3 version). This will be OOB apart from a few small extras (seatbelts, maybe some cockpit extras depending on how adventurous I feel and perhaps a little extra plumbing on the front of the engine)..

ok so here we go

Box Shot

Parts

Engine Detail (will at least put the starter(?) ring and maybe the 2 sets of plumbing into each segment

Cockpit Side (might be added too but maybe not - not sure if I can do much without starting from scratch)

current progress

noticed on a number of picture that above the seat but below the head rest there was a handle (assume a grab handle to help get in/out). The model had this as a solid plastic block so thought I would remove it and add a handle... This is my first attempt at bending wire (.20 copper)

Start

Removed the molded part

Finally got the handle to stick - superglue is a pain - needs a touch of cleaning up

next steps

1) clean up modified bulkhead

2) add kit cockpit sides (blutack to start) to see if I feel up to adding extras - have some thin wire incase some fictitious cabling helps

3) add starter ring to engine

Hey up mate... Nobby here!

The cockpit on my Hurri is all built using Humberol "Clearfix" Its a bit gloopy but i find i easier to play with than cyno. Use it for all fiddly none load bearing parts now. Good thing about it is it dries down tight on to the parts so you don't need the clean up!

[Nobby]

I agree mucho with Basosz

[robw_uk]

Hey up mate... Nobby here!

The cockpit on my Hurri is all built using Humberol "Clearfix" Its a bit gloopy but i find i easier to play with than cyno. Use it for all fiddly none load bearing parts now. Good thing about it is it dries down tight on to the parts so you don't need the clean up!

Nobby - thanks for the tip on Clearfix - will look that up.... struggled with superglue to statr but with the engine it wanst too ba d- mainly cos where I was gluing couldn;t been so could be a bit "messY" - plus you can hardly see the engine anyway...

latest update - KLEAR coat is on, some decals on (using KLEAR as fixer) - worked quite well (see what you guys mean about Acad decals - but hey they are stuck to the plane now)...just the VERY small detail decals to go - some are so small yuo cant see them when on the plane - anyone mind if they are left off (lol).... then will copat again in KLEAR then learn to weather - giong for chalk wash first off - see how that works.....