Hellcat Mk.I cockpit

[dragonlanceHR]

I'm researching for my upcoming Eduard Hellcat Mk.I build (JV132, Lt. Ritchie).

In the quest for a proper seatbelt typ, I found this on my HDD, found somewhere on the Net:

FAA Hellcat Cockpits

Posted by: Paul Fontenoy

Date: Wednesday, 18 August 1999, at 10:51 a.m.

Ok guys, here goes with Hellcat cockpit modifications.

1) Q-type seat belts in place of USN style.

2) Map case relocated (unfortunately not clear where!).

3) Very pistol + 6 cartridges substituted for US signal flare discharger.

4) British radio and IFF installed.

5) Fuselage ?turnover? reinforced.

A total of 66 modifications were applied to FAA Hellcats, but the vast majority would be completely invisible on a model (does your Hellcat use a rolled steel or a phosphor bronze trimtab actuator adjusting nut, and has its landing gear and wingfold howler been deleted?). British Hellcats had beefed-up gun mountings and modifications to the ammunition box handles, but again these would be indiscernable on a model.

All this information comes from a copy of the Hellcat modification chart from Blackburn Aircraft operating at Roosevelt Field on Long Island. By pure luck this is the ONLY such type chart extant!

Paul Fontenoy

End quote.

Sooo, do we know now where the map case went?

[Don McIntyre]

Thanks for the info, Paul. I'd always assumed that the Hellcat Is used standard US belts.

My Hasegawa Hellcat with the Jaguar detail set and Aeromaster decals.

http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DDo...Hasegawa%20F6F/