F6F-5 Hellcat Indochina

[Wez]

I've got two of these boxings which come with sufficient parts for two kits in each which means I've got I've got 4 Hellcats to make.

I've got plans for three FAA versions (one in the TSS Atlantic/Mediterranean markings, one in TSS BPF markings and another BPF aircraft in GSB this time), this leaves me with a "spare" Hellcat so I was wondering about using one of the F6F-5's in the Vietnam GB (maybe, possibly, perhaps...), in French markings during the 1950's in Indochina.

The question is can this be done with what comes in the kit? In my own mind I think the answer is yes but, just because it makes sense in my own little world it doesn't mean it's really the case...

...so apart from the decals which I know I'll need to source, can it be done?

I know the kit is not without it's faults such as the skinny wheels (bit of plasticard should do the trick there), and apparently, there's something wrong with the prop (got an Obscureco replacement but I don't want to use it if there's no real need). I seem to recall there was a problem with the cowling vent arrangement on the underside - can anybody point me to proof of this?

I might still do a Hun instead but the Hellcat would be a bit, well different.

Thanks for any help.

Wez

[Matt Roberts]

The wheels are easy to source, especially if you have access to Ultracast products, I'd look at the Quickboost range for other doodads to upgrade the kit.

The cowl and prop are not things I have heard of much concerning the kits - probably as the Hobbyboss kit has stunned the rivet counters into muteness at the horror of it all! The cowl was something that endless electrons have been spilt over with the Hasegawa release, and not sure about the prop. maybe if you know someone with an AccMin Avenger or Italeri one they may have the prop. Considering I hate resin props (too many broken or effed up in glueing) that I'll try a kit as a source.

http://www.ultracast.ca/Aircraft%20Accesso...F%20Hellcat.htm

http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/...em_num=QUB48144

http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/...ers=&scale=

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/decals/s...pa_lcat01.shtml

http://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f6f/f6f_all.shtml

The biggest thing would be decals, I don't recall any recent aftermarket sheets with Indochina markings. The '3 pack' release from Eduard did have the markings for a French bird, so that is probably the easiest to source. With either a swap with someone with the kit or possibly with Eduard (wouldn't hurt to ask)

Easy scheme - gloss sea blue - or what once passed for it. Look around and if I recall right the birds were pretty weathered

[Old VG 33]

Hello

Here are the transfers.

Berna F6F

Patrick

[Wez]

The wheels are easy to source, especially if you have access to Ultracast products, I'd look at the Quickboost range for other doodads to upgrade the kit.

The cowl and prop are not things I have heard of much concerning the kits - probably as the Hobbyboss kit has stunned the rivet counters into muteness at the horror of it all! The cowl was something that endless electrons have been spilt over with the Hasegawa release, and not sure about the prop. maybe if you know someone with an AccMin Avenger or Italeri one they may have the prop. Considering I hate resin props (too many broken or effed up in glueing) that I'll try a kit as a source.

http://www.ultracast.ca/Aircraft%20Accesso...F%20Hellcat.htm

http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/...em_num=QUB48144

http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/...ers=&scale=

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/decals/s...pa_lcat01.shtml

http://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f6f/f6f_all.shtml

The biggest thing would be decals, I don't recall any recent aftermarket sheets with Indochina markings. The '3 pack' release from Eduard did have the markings for a French bird, so that is probably the easiest to source. With either a swap with someone with the kit or possibly with Eduard (wouldn't hurt to ask)

Easy scheme - gloss sea blue - or what once passed for it. Look around and if I recall right the birds were pretty weathered

Matt,

Actually the decals are the easy bit - see here

Regarding the prop, I agree the kit's would be the easiest to work with but I recall there was some criticism of it - quite what that was I can't remember!

I do recall seeing something about the vent arrangement under the lower cowling, IIRC the kit is correct for the F6F-3 and incorrect for the F6F-5 - or vise-versa, trouble is I can't remember which?

I've just been looking at some film of Aeronavale Hellcats and Helldivers operating from Arromanches during op's over Indochina here and they look to be in pretty good condition however, the Armee de l'Air operated some Hellcats from land bases and I'm willing to believe they got pretty tatty!

Thanks for the response.

Wez

[Wez]

Hello

Here are the transfers.

Berna F6F

Patrick

Patrick,

I'd already found those but thanks anyway! They offer two Aeronavale options (1F and 12F) for Indochina op's, I don't know of anybody who does Armee de l'Air Hellcat decals though (the link from the Cybermodeller review of the Spada Decals releases in Matt's post is a dead link).

Wez

Edited December 28, 2010 by Wez

[Old VG 33]

Patrick,

I'd already found those but thanks anyway! They offer two Aeronavale options (1F and 12F) for Indochina op's, I don't know of anybody who does Armee de l'Air Hellcat decals though (the link from the Cybermodeller review of the Spada Decals releases in Matt's post is a dead link).

Wez

Wez

For Armée de l'air you can try with different Carpena/Colorado sheets.

Have you already chosen the squadron?

Patrick

[Wez]

Wez

For Armée de l'air you can try with different Carpena/Colorado sheets.

Have you already chosen the squadron?

Patrick

Not really, I'm thinking an Armee de l'Air aircraft would be carrying more in the way of bombs and rockets and have a tattier finish than an Aeronavale example but then again I think the Aeronavale marking are a bit more colourful than the Armee de l'Air aircraft.

Like I said in my first post, I haven't fully come down on the side of the Hellcat yet, I might yet do a Hun instead.

Wez