1/48th scale F6F Hellcat

[ak]

I haven’t attempt at an aircraft in over 35 years! Quite frankly they intimidate me. I see such beautiful displays at model shows and when I hear military modelers talking about their builds they have them researched right down to the most minuscule detail! This one isn’t going to be build to that level, it’s just the first of several WW2 fighters I will hang from the ceiling in my hobby room. Here’s the box art and the beginning of the build.

[buddho]

Great looking engine and tub!

[dupes]

To me, good clean canopy masking is the trickiest part of aircraft building...and can make or break your final build.

Looks solid so far!

[406 Silverado]

Oh man!!! Wouldja just loogathat!!! He goes for a solid Hasegawa kit!!!!
This is already looking great Alan. No worries about where you’re at skill level wise. Ask questions when you’re unsure about something and we’ll do our absolute best to help you out.
This is an awesome subject and it’s again just as awesome seeing you step into an aircraft build.

[Joe Rix]

It is awesome that you have chosen a Hellcat to build Alan. You will do just fine as it looks like it so far. You will have plenty of encouragement from all us aircraft builders. You very well may find yourself becoming rather taken with building wingy things.

[sharp]

Looking really good so far.

[stikpusher]

Excellent subject choice! And you’re off to a fine start.

[handiabled]

No doubt you will make this bird shine! Looks like you are off to a wonderful start

[kyledehart5]

Sweet!! Good idea too. Hang them from the ceiling. Can't wait to see where you take this one.

[atomicholiday]

Looks great! 👍

[ak]

Thanks for the encouragement guys! I really do appreciate it!

[406 Silverado]

Oct 30, 2023 7:09:57 GMT -5 ak said:

Thanks for the encouragement guys! I really do appreciate it!

Looking forward to seeing more progress on this bad boy.

[TJ]

Great start on this one

[ak]

Ever since I started building model cars 50+ years ago I have always had problems following the instruction sheet, and I can tell I’m going to have the same issue when it comes to aircraft! … the instructions doesn’t show the landing gear up, so I had to align the doors and covers and glue them in place on the bottom of the wings. Also since this plane will be “flying” it needed a pilot, so I reassigned him from a Revell kit.

[handiabled]

It seems many kits "assume" the modeler wants to display the bird on it's wheels leaving the builder to be creative on going gears up. Looks like you accomplished it just fine!

[paddy]

Every plane should have a pilot

[tcoat]

Oct 31, 2023 18:37:09 GMT -5 paddy said:

Every plane should have a pilot

[paddy]

Thats allowed as he has already landed........... but the steps would have been easier ?

[Joe Rix]

You did an excellent job on getting the landing gear in the retracted position.

[stikpusher]

Oct 31, 2023 18:37:09 GMT -5 paddy said:

Every plane should have a pilot

I love how some model companies provide those pilots for pre flight or post flight settings...

[ak]

Nov 1, 2023 12:56:16 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Oct 31, 2023 18:37:09 GMT -5 paddy said:

Every plane should have a pilot

I love how some model companies provide those pilots for pre flight or post flight settings...

Pre or post flight pilot would be cool! Now I want to build my Corsair on the flight deck of a carrier. 

[ak]

I have the basic color done, but still need to weather it. The only deviation besides the landing gear up is that I replaced the plastic machine gun barrels with aluminum tubing.

[ak]

Pilot is finished.

[adt70hk]

Looking sharp!

[ak]

Nov 6, 2023 2:59:45 GMT -5 adt70hk said:

Looking sharp!

Thanks! Boy that’s a small pilot! I think I will touch up his goggles with a bit of gloss over the lens so he doesn’t look like he’s wearing a blindfold!

[handiabled]

You are moving right along on this! Bravo on the addition of the pilot! I've never had the nerve to try to paint a figure so I always delete the pilot if included.

[tcoat]

Nov 6, 2023 9:26:06 GMT -5 ak said:

Nov 6, 2023 2:59:45 GMT -5 adt70hk said:

Looking sharp!

Thanks! Boy that’s a small pilot! I think I will touch up his goggles with a bit of gloss over the lens so he doesn’t look like he’s wearing a blindfold!

I would also recommend a basic black wash. It can be make a huge difference in what you see through the canopy by giving definition and false shadows. 

Before wash:



After wash with flat coat over it:



Through canopy the details pop:

[ak]

Thanks for the tip tcoat! 👍

[406 Silverado]

Nov 5, 2023 16:48:26 GMT -5 ak said:

Pilot is finished.

One thing that I'd like to do is add a figure to my builds for that scale reference. I've gotta say Alan.....you're doing a great job with this whole build buddy. NICLEY done so far pal.

[ak]

Thanks Joe. I’m going to have to work on my weathering as it turned out rather poorly, but I’m pressing on with it and will get some more pictures posted soon!