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Academy 1/72 Hellcat F6F-3


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while I try to find time to finish the Widgeon (airbrushing doesnt come naturally so I have to have decent amounts of time) I have started the Academy 1/72 Hellcat (going for the dash 3 version). This will be OOB apart from a few small extras (seatbelts, maybe some cockpit extras depending on how adventurous I feel and perhaps a little extra plumbing on the front of the engine)..

ok so here we go

Box Shot

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Parts

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Engine Detail (will at least put the starter(?) ring and maybe the 2 sets of plumbing into each segment

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Cockpit Side (might be added too but maybe not - not sure if I can do much without starting from scratch)

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current progress

noticed on a number of picture that above the seat but below the head rest there was a handle (assume a grab handle to help get in/out). The model had this as a solid plastic block so thought I would remove it and add a handle... This is my first attempt at bending wire (.20 copper)

Start

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Removed the molded part

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Finally got the handle to stick - superglue is a pain - needs a touch of cleaning up

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next steps

1) clean up modified bulkhead

2) add kit cockpit sides (blutack to start) to see if I feel up to adding extras - have some thin wire incase some fictitious cabling helps

3) add starter ring to engine

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that bar is a guide over which the shoulder harness belts pass. I can't figure out how to post a pic here, but if you Google "hellcat cockpit" you should be able to find it.

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that bar is a guide over which the shoulder harness belts pass. I can't figure out how to post a pic here, but if you Google "hellcat cockpit" you should be able to find it.

Barry, think I have a picture showing that. Will add harness later so will try to thread them through the bar.

update on the cockpit sides - found uot that the knobs & bumps modled in the kit bare no resemblance to the actual thing (no prise there).... well I am not really up to buildinga 1/72 cockpit from scratch so will just paint and detail what I am given (thus concentrating on getting better at painting).....

Edited by robw_uk
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just a small update... started on the cockpit, dies attached, back attached to base, paint applied (well base green, needs shading & detailing)

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the IP is just a decal so just need to detail the sides, seat, back and then see how good it is...

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first note - my shoulder straps are way too short - something for me to note for next time - but they arent horrendous so using wine bottle foil does work. images are of the final cockpit assembly plus a dry fit. I have now cut the side window areas behind the bulkhead so will assess if I need to fill the bulhead mouldings or just accept it (not sure how much you will see unles syou really stared).

so images

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have glued the wing halves and, like I said, removed the portion behind the bulkhead for the cockpit side windows.

Next steps

1) KLEAR coat the canopy

2) add engine to cowling (not adding all the fiddly wires - dont think they will be seen behind the prop)

3) decide whether to fill the rear of the bulkhead and paint the rear interior (light grey I believe)

how do you think I am doing guys - a few pointers would help me no end

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ok - so added "some" wiring..... 18 in total.. .not quite asdifficult as I thought but adding another 18 would just clutter it..

images:

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getting there - starting main assembly soon - wings together (rocket pylon holes filled cos I aint using them), rear of cockpit does need painting so that is tomorrows job.....

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well I have done some painiting on it... undercarriage and wheel hubs white plus preshading (black but not overly heavy) on the main aircraft and black tires and prop. Must say, a controllable air-source really does make life easier.... am not saying I am brilliant but at least i am not just spraying and hoping......

Will post some pictures once I have started the main painting. as it will be 3-tone navy scheme I will start with the white underside to about half way up the fueslage (to allow me to blen it in to the medium blue..... feeling a bit more confident about being able to apply pain to so hopefully I will do the kit justice.....

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quick help needed guys.... have done pre-shading which, under the white, looks ok (not too OTT)... when I do the mid blue I am expecting some variation but not so much with the dark blue. For this I wanted to mark some oe thf panels to show replacements (assume therefore no (little) fading in the sun).. .... so should I

1) paint the dark blue with a drop of white to fade the upper surfaces then paint the "new" panels in the original dark blue

2) paint the upper surfaces in the original dark blue then the new panels in dark blue + a bit of blak (to darken)....

or some combination of 1, 2 and mystical option 3...

thanks for the help guys - hope to have the mid-blue on today then some photos posted....

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todays update

added the 3rd part of the tri-colour camo. So now I have white, mid blue (Hum 145) and dark blue (5x Hum 77 + 1 x white)- thinking I should've replicated the 5:1 colour:white on the lighter blue as well - can this be rectified in weathering or do I need to mask up again and hit it with lighter. PLan is to darken some of the panels with plain Hum 77 on thewings to replicate newer panels vs faded older ones... what should happen to decals on these - do you experts think the new panels would;ve been painted to match the original insignia or perhaps (depending on when the repair happened) left blank?

ok... and images

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techniques used this time

1) blu-tac masking... am suprised how easy it is to get soft edges. Need to work a bit on the blending side but gives me confidence to perhaps try a WWII allied fighter in camo scheme next (may just paint over the spit I have done this year rather than build a new one - but who knows)

2) pre-shading... this time didnt obliterate the pre-shading... ok in the 2 blue ares its gone but in the white it has broken the monotone - as has my uneven airbrushing

3) "proper" AB compressor - that really did make the difference vs canister.... being able to control pressure is the biggest bonus going

and next work...

1) build UC (all painted - wheels masked not too bad)

2) add fuel tank

3) paint and mount 2 bombs (not putting rockets on as it is a dash-3)

4) mask and darken a couple of the dark blue panels (one on engine, couple on wings - not too many as it would be a patchwork)

thanks all for your input & support - any comments please feel free (especially constructive criticism)

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And here she is.... base painting complete, just need to add the 2 bombs and unmask the prop....... slightly messed up the mid-blue one one side - touched it up but now looks uneven... may have to mask up that area and spray but that makes me worried that I will ruin more.. or could leave it and weather it in somehow..... anyway... wheels down here she is all ready for bobms & futur (tomorrow)

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letting her rest overnight then will futur up (did the Widgeon with a soft wide brush - not too bad actually so will use same on this one)

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cheers HOLMES _ very encouraging words... again, some parts I am happy with, some I Need to work on. Have applied 2 coats of FUTUR with a wide brush - I must say she is not looking overtly glossy (yes more gloss than before but....)..... waiting for 2nd coat to cure overnight (it is hot here - will that affect it?) then will see if I need a 3rd or if I can move on to decals.....

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ok... added all the small fiddly decals.... just waiting on them to go off and then will apply next set of KLEAR then it is finished (well apart from weathering)

some images..... need to reinstall PhotoShop so I can tidy these up (final images will be shot no a white infinity curve to look "nice"....

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again, any comments greatly received...

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ok.... tried to add panel lines yesterday (watered down watercolour (well my sons water based paints) plus some fairy liquid) and got no where.... Therefore I am declaring her finished (maybe for now if I get round to learning weathering)......

I will post some better photos in RFI later on.....

thanks for all the comments guys.....

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