Rick
Full Member
Member since: March 2013
what to build, what to build . . . Ok THAT one!
Posts: 854 
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Post by Rick on Feb 28, 2014 22:52:03 GMT -5
Going to take a trip to the PTO for my next build. The kit is Eduard's F6F-3 Hellcat in 1/72 scale. Picked this one up for 20 bucks at a show this fall. This is how all kits should be. Good clean molds -no flash, no damage or warped parts. The kit included color photo etch harnesses, instrument panel, and engine wire harness and was nicely complemented with painting masks and a great decal sheet. No aftermarket needs for this one! Here we go . . .
Here's the box, a bit flimsy but no damage internally 
Sprues and PE: 
First up, I started cleaning up the sprue attachment points and did a bit of dry fit: 
And I couldn't resist a visit to the office, which fell together beautifully and quickly. the color PE really helps add some life and speeds up the entire process. Paints are Model Master enamels. 
Ready for a bit of weathering and grunginess.
That's wear we stand for now. So far the fit has been great - nice and clean. About ready to begin assembling the fuselage and wing parts.
Rick
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Post by TRM on Feb 28, 2014 22:54:57 GMT -5
Looking great so far Rick!! Could me in!!
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Rick
Full Member
Member since: March 2013
what to build, what to build . . . Ok THAT one!
Posts: 854
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Post by Rick on Feb 28, 2014 23:02:20 GMT -5
Welcome aboard Todd. Haven't seen much of you lately. Can always use a wingman.
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Post by JimD on Feb 28, 2014 23:30:33 GMT -5
I'll be watching. I built the -5 and it was a really nice kit. No real problems that I remember. Looking forward to more.
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Post by deafpanzer on Feb 28, 2014 23:33:31 GMT -5
Hell yeah! Always liked those Hellcats! Great start and the interior looks excellent. Count me in...
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Post by wbill76 on Mar 2, 2014 16:38:10 GMT -5
Nice start to this one Rick, looking forward to more on the Hellcat.
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Post by dupes on Mar 2, 2014 16:41:03 GMT -5
Oooooh, nice! I've got one of these hiding out downstairs destined for RAAF markings...can't wait to get to it. Interested to see what you do with yours!
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Post by bullardino on Mar 2, 2014 16:44:17 GMT -5
Another mighty fine job in progress Rick  |
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Rick
Full Member
Member since: March 2013
what to build, what to build . . . Ok THAT one!
Posts: 854
|
Post by Rick on Mar 6, 2014 19:51:51 GMT -5
Time for a quick update. Installed the office in the fuselage and put the halves together, added a couple wings and a couple tail pieces. The fit was very tight inserting the wings into the fuselage but a little coercing with an exacto knife at the training edge and they fit quite snuggly. No filler needed. Tail fit well too. The wing leading edges are ready for some filler and smoothing at this point. Must be careful with the machine guns while handling. They are just begging to be broken off if forgotten that they are sticking out from the edge.
A view inside.
After some strategic filler and sanding, applied a bit of shading all the way around to get ready for some paint.
And, that's where I'm at today. So far, the kit has gone together very well and only needed a small amount of filler. I really like the fine detail of the kit. It is very fine so thin paint will be needed to keep from filling in the panel lines. Planning to go with the navy tricolor scheme with a dirty white lower surfaces, intermediate blue lower fuselage and dark blue on the uppers. Will be a first time scheme for me doing a tricolor so I'm anxious to get some paint action going. Next update, we'll see how that all works out.
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Post by wing_nut on Mar 7, 2014 8:15:44 GMT -5
Looks good Rick. Good choice on the 3 color scheme. Better looking than he all blue. That one's just too... blue. Anyone know if any Hellcats were in the Atlantic scheme or that all in the Pacific?
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Post by wbill76 on Mar 7, 2014 20:02:56 GMT -5
Off to a good start in the paint department Rick, looking good!
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Post by deafpanzer on Mar 7, 2014 20:03:06 GMT -5
Nice pre-shading job... looking forward to see it with paint on next.
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Post by fightnjoe on Mar 7, 2014 21:59:37 GMT -5
looking very good from here.
joe
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Post by bullardino on Mar 9, 2014 4:24:52 GMT -5
Very nice looking 'cat Rick. The fit is one of the best I've ever seen on a plane. Wing roots tend to be the hardest part in my experience.
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Rick
Full Member
Member since: March 2013
what to build, what to build . . . Ok THAT one!
Posts: 854
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Post by Rick on Mar 9, 2014 13:29:55 GMT -5
"Wing roots tend to be the hardest part in my experience." - Bullardino
Amen to that Luigi! Wing roots always seem to be the hardest to fill and hardest to get sanded smooth. These fit so tight, I probably could have forced them in and never would have come out. Only one that ever fit better was my 1/24 Mossie. It was so snug I just left it unglued. Should have an update fairly soon.
Rick
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Rick
Full Member
Member since: March 2013
what to build, what to build . . . Ok THAT one!
Posts: 854
|
Post by Rick on Mar 13, 2014 20:20:16 GMT -5
A bit more paint work done on the 'cat. Sprayed the undersides and topsides to move this one along to the decal stage. Sprayed insignia white with a touch of Light Gull Gray to tone it down just a bit. Then randomly sprayed some very thin Light Gull Gray in some of the oil prone and general grime areas and recessed areas. Trying to get some variation and wear. Later, some oil stains and exhaust grime should add to the well used war machine look Doesn't show on the pics but it's there.  I sprayed the white about halfway up the sides to be sure of coverage. Once the belly was cured, I prepared for the blues with hobby lobby's non blue version of blu tac to give a lower feathered edge against the white. used some tape to protect from over spray.   After the intermediate Blue cured, I moved the blu tac up above the wing to prepare for the dark blue. (The light blue streak on top of the fuselage is a light reflection)  The blu tac previously covered part of the wing so I had to come back after pulling off the blu tac and mask then finish spraying the wing.  And after all the masking and spraying and changing colors, here's the kitty with her new coat:    Forgot I had masked the clear pieces behind the cockpit. I'll apply the paint masks conveniently supplied by Eduard and paint this and the canopy next then apply some gloss and decals. Moving on . . . Thanks for stopping by. Rick |
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Post by deafpanzer on Mar 13, 2014 20:23:16 GMT -5
STUNNING paint job on the plane!!!
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Post by fightnjoe on Mar 13, 2014 20:48:47 GMT -5
that is absolutely stunning.
joe
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Post by JimD on Mar 13, 2014 21:15:02 GMT -5
Really good job on the paint. I love 3 tone Navy birds. Keep it coming.
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Post by bullardino on Mar 14, 2014 3:12:33 GMT -5
Excellent paintjob, Rick. WW2 Navy planes are such a great subject |
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Post by wbill76 on Mar 15, 2014 14:48:48 GMT -5
Nice work on getting the three tones on and feathered in nicely there Rick. Looking good!
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Post by deafpanzer on Mar 15, 2014 23:13:04 GMT -5
Guess what I won at the raffle today.... a F6F 3/5 from Academy/Minicraft. Should I keep it or give to one of kids who may be interested in modeling?  |
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Post by Leon on Mar 15, 2014 23:27:09 GMT -5
Soz I'm late Rick,the Hellcat is looking awesome.Great job on the 3 tone paint.  |
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Rick
Full Member
Member since: March 2013
what to build, what to build . . . Ok THAT one!
Posts: 854
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Post by Rick on Mar 16, 2014 10:08:09 GMT -5
Thanks all for the very kind comments. Much appreciated.
Rick |
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Rick
Full Member
Member since: March 2013
what to build, what to build . . . Ok THAT one!
Posts: 854
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Post by Rick on Jul 16, 2014 23:10:44 GMT -5
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Post by deafpanzer on Jul 16, 2014 23:21:29 GMT -5
Really like its nose markings very much! It really makes this Hellcat stand out when compared with others. Great work!
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 17, 2014 11:02:30 GMT -5
Came out looking pretty sharp there Rick, very nice.
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Post by wing_nut on Jul 20, 2014 16:42:26 GMT -5
One to be proud of Rick. It's just like a steak that's been ruined..very well done.
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Rick
Full Member
Member since: March 2013
what to build, what to build . . . Ok THAT one!
Posts: 854
|
Post by Rick on Jul 20, 2014 18:15:39 GMT -5
Thanks guys. Interesting analogy Wing. Never thought if it that way.
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Post by TRM on Jul 20, 2014 18:17:30 GMT -5
Well done Rick!! You have yourself a pretty little bird there!! Congrats on the finish!!
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