twhite80 Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 If I had to build only one kit for the rest of my life it would probably be the Eduard Hellcat. This is my third or fourth but I will keep building them. I have not built a night attack version however so I decided that was the way to go. I bought the weekend edition and then robbed a few parts from other boxings in the stash. I also got some metal gun barrels and a resin drop tank from Quickboost. But I wanted to use the occasion to try some new weathering techniques. I used a black base with Stynylrez which I have to say is one of the single best things you can ever use on a model kit. It makes your surface smooth and fills on minor blemishes. Next I hit areas where I wanted to chip with some Alclad II aircraft aluminum Then I tried some liquid mask and then sprayed some yellow chromate from Mig Productions I found that the liquid mask does not always come off and getting it to come off can damage the surrounding paint in a way that you don't want. The liquid mask also covered up areas that I thought were too large. So with future Hellcats I might go with chipping solution only. I sprayed some chipping solution over the yellow and then hit it with the base coat and then I faded the top of the aircraft. Then I used some steel wool to scratch and remove the liquid mask. Again, not all of the liquid mask came up. I am still doing some minor repairs and I would like to use a finer steel wool in the future but the effect was pretty good I thought. Along the leading edges of the wings I dabbed some silver paint to better replicate the fine chipping often seen on this area of the F6F. I wish I could have achieved the effect through the liquid mask or chipping solution but in the end I think that it looks 'good enough' to move on. I did take off some paint on the engine cowling so I need to repaint part of that and then weather it back in. I will also be working on the prop, drop tank, wheels and canopy as well. There are some issues that I am having and areas where it is not perfect but I think it is a step in the right direction. I am learning a lot and that is always a good thing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jester292 Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Expertly done. Love those Eduard kits! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 I have finished! I learned a lot on this kit. I will do my chipping differently in the future thanks to the lessons from this kit. I think it is an Improvement over my last Hellcat. But now I have two Big E Helcats ready for display! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Nice job What brand of paint did you use for the Gloss Sea Blue❓ Cheer, m Mr. Happy (In name only) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 I used Vallejo. Not the Air Vallejo. It is actually a very different shade of Blue despite having the same name. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Thanks👍 Your Hellcat is sure to place at your next contest . 🤙 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 Ha! Well that is generous. I will give it a try at the next contest with my fingers crossed. Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Nice final result and really nice paint work. And a very neat work area. Where did you get that paint storage rack? Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 On 2/3/2017 at 3:01 PM, Bob Beary said: Nice final result and really nice paint work. And a very neat work area. Where did you get that paint storage rack? Bob Hi Bob - Here is where I got that paint rack. I need another. They are so convenient! https://www.amazon.com/Beauticom-Acrylic-Display-Organizer-Dimension/dp/B00KIHV28Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1486397927&sr=8-4&keywords=acrylic+paint+rack Quote Link to post Share on other sites
longmc Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Great build! I just picked up the Squadron boxing of the eduard hellcat, and it is a terrific kit! I just switched to vallejo and ammo paints, and have been wanting to try the chipping fluid for weathering aircraft. your build help tremendously!! cheers Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 2 hours ago, longmc said: Great build! I just picked up the Squadron boxing of the eduard hellcat, and it is a terrific kit! I just switched to vallejo and ammo paints, and have been wanting to try the chipping fluid for weathering aircraft. your build help tremendously!! cheers Mike Yeah. It was a huge trial and error process. I have used the chipping solution before and couldn't get much off and then I tired it on this build and had big flakes coming off which I didn't want! But I was able to save it in places. I would make a few changes next time but overall it was a positive experience! Thanks for following along and good luck on your build! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 On February 6, 2017 at 11:19 AM, twhite80 said: Hi Bob - Here is where I got that paint rack. I need another. They are so convenient! https://www.amazon.com/Beauticom-Acrylic-Display-Organizer-Dimension/dp/B00KIHV28Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1486397927&sr=8-4&keywords=acrylic+paint+rack Thanks, Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Nicely done Cat. your weathering certainly replicates a well used night fighter. Have you given any thought rather then just a black base coat, to using the Black basing technique instead? It makes weathering a lot easier. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted March 13, 2017 Author Share Posted March 13, 2017 Do you have any guides or tutorials? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 On 3/13/2017 at 11:48 AM, twhite80 said: Do you have any guides or tutorials? Twhite80, If you mean Black Basing, Doog's site a great video on how he applies it. Here's the link to it: Joel https://doogsmodels.com/2014/07/03/technique-black-basing/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfgun33 Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Great work on the Hellcats!! I have one of the Eduard ones in the stash as well. One question, how did you do the exhaust staining? They look perfect! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 Thanks! I used slightly different techniques between the two but in general what I did was take a darker color and sketch the outside of the exhausts with my airbrush then I lightened the color one or two times and worked inward so the lightest color was in the middle. I tried to be a little uneven and I also tried to respect the panel lines. With the N I also used some 'streaking grime' from mig to simulate those oily leaks that I saw on a lot of the pictures. The key there is to make a streak with a sine brush. Let it dry then take a broad brush and get a little bit of thinner on it and gently drag the brush over the streaks int he direction of air flow. I thought it looked pretty good. The thing with the exhaust stains on the Hellcat is that they all seemed to be a little different. Some were great big and others were smaller, tighter bands. I would start small and work out so that it doesn't get too big. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.