nspreitler Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Here is my entry, an F6F-3K used in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests in 1946. I bought the it used and it has been lightly started and a lot of pieces cut from the sprues which is going to make it harder than if it were brand new. I haven't decided on the exact scheme doing some research since some of the Hellcats used were -3s and some were -5s and the decals sheet has them incorrectly as all -5s. So finding the one I want and making sure it was really a -3 takes some reading. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Oh, this is going to be fun watching come together. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sentry30 Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Now that's a cool and interesting topic!!! Curious how this will progress! Daniel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nspreitler Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 I need to get some pictures, but I am making progress with the cockpit. I am using an Eduard set, and it looks pretty good. I still need to do the side consoles, hopefully I can get them finished this week in the evening so I have the weekend to get the major assemblies together. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nspreitler Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 Some progress pics on the Crossroads Hellcat. I used two photoetch sets in the interior, and the result is pretty good although a couple pieces are slightly misaligned. I was happy that the color photoetch interior green is a pretty close match to Vallejo Model Air Interior Green. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 That is a seriously awesome cockpit. Great work on the engine as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nspreitler Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 Thanks, my mistake on the cockpit was using thin CA since my bottle of gel CA had set. That gave me very little working time with the parts so some of the photoetch is slightly misaligned since it set too quickly. The engine is painted with Vallejo Metal Color, I bought one bottle to see how it compares to Alclad and I'm pretty impressed, but on just the engine it is hard to tell since there is no masking involved. I do like the lack of lacquer fumes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nspreitler Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share Posted January 22, 2016 Making progress, still have some seams to sand and I have to fix the gap behind the cockpit. Figuring out the color has been interesting, some pictures look orange but most look red. The paint right now is Insignia Red but I think it should be a brighter red so I'm going to play around with that. The same with the pink tail I think it needs to be lighter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 That looks great. Its really going to stand out in a display case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nspreitler Posted January 24, 2016 Author Share Posted January 24, 2016 It's coming along. I went with square bottle Testors gloss red. It will get toned down some with weathering, but it looks like a decent match and in some lighting looks orange tinted much like the original photos of the plane. Now to let it dry for a couple days and I'll finish it up. Bonus points to Eduard for including two canopies, one closed and one open. The wheel construction is nice too, with separate hubs and tires. That makes painting the wheels easy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Looking great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nspreitler Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 Decals are on, the fuselage decals are from a Superscale sheet since the Alley Cat decals shattered but I think that was my fault for cutting too close. The wing decals are from the Alleycat set and now looking at the picture seem slightly out of register. The other decals went down well with some Microset, the fuselage stars look they they could use anther coat of Microsol. Next I'll add the exhaust, seal the decals and apply some weathering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 You wouldn't miss that flying over. Looking great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nspreitler Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Hellcat is almost done, I just need to add a couple clear parts and the antenna wires. I should wrap it up tomorrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nspreitler Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Calling it done, overall fun build. Ignore the lack of rudder pedals, somehow I forgot to install them and didn't notice until I was looking at the leftover parts on the sprues. It is certainly colorful, and fitting to finish a red and pink plane on Valentines Day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastijan Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 It is certainly colorful, and fitting to finish a red and pink plane on Valentines Day. And number 14 of all ;) Really cool build and seldom seen scheme. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I really like it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. Idacavage Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 It is hard to get an aircraft more colorful than this, great work! Have fun modeling Mike :cheers:/> Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grandboof Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 A very different Hellcat . Well done Martin H Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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