1/48 Hellcat Diorama *Final update - Finished diorama 9/26!*

Some more work done. 

Chipping effect is evident throughout if you look closely.  Obviously got a little out of hand on the port wing root. 

All markings and stencils on except for a few things on the tail. Completely jacked up the blue insignias meant to go with this marking, so used the included red bordered ones.  I think VF-27 with the cat mouth markings wore those at some point.  Anyway...

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And the belly, after an oil wash in Payne's grey. Got a little agressive removing the wash over that decal and lost a chunk.  

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And one of the Verlinden deck crew figures assembled, to give an idea where we're going with this.  Getting a little nervous about the figure painting...

2017-09-06_12-02-07 by Brian Starr, on Flickr

You're really moving now! Hang in there bstarr. You're tackling quite a lot in this build. Anytime you go off script from the instructions or some typical trend of working a single engine fighter like this it can start to get complicated quickly. There's no one right way to go about it, but there are definitely some better ways to make it less stress for you. You'll find what works for you. =]

Thanks, bvallot!  Yeah, doing extra stuff on this kit - the resin engine and cockpit, removing cowling panels and gun bay doors, PE in the cockpit, PE gunbay - has tested my sanity at times, but I'm pleased with how it's coming.  I'm nearly finished with the plane.  Going to do some finishing touches over my dullcoat with pastels tonight, then I'll show some pics.  Here's a sneak peak:

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Update: plane is finished! Stretched sprue for antenna aerials. Sprayed Mission Models tire black plus a little tan for the exhaust staining. Pics of finished plane, and a few of progress towards the diorama:

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Skunk Modelworks carrier deck display base. Pretty nice plastic base, laser cut balsa deck, and photoetch tie down rails.

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Verlinden resin carrier deck crew. Two armorers, one mechanic, and plane captain.

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Plane captain lost his right foot and I had to carve a new one.

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You're doing an excellent job, keep up the fantastic build.

Toshi

Thanks, Toshi. It means a lot from someone who does as good of work as you do!

This looks so good, I absolutely hate to tell you this.....

But for information the Pratt & Whitney emblem is in the wrong place on your engine.  It is supposed to go just as you have it oriented, but below the shaft.  You have it above the shaft, at the top.  There's a flat angled section centered on the bottom of the front, and it goes on there.  I hate to say this because the engine looks amazing, but only wanted to mention it because I figured you are trying to go for realism with the kind of detail you've put in.  Engine and cockpit are looking amazing...here's a link to a photo of the same engine:

https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php?topic=27428.0

thanks, vol. I'm doing some work on painting the figures today - I should have a finished product in a few days hopefully

Thanks for the tip F8. Sadly I followed the instructions without checking references for that part. I belove the logo is photo etch. I could probably reposition it without difficulty

thanks for the kind words Knight. I definitely have stretched my comfort level with lots of new skills on this project. I'm happy with how it's come out

bstarr3

Thanks for the tip F8. Sadly I followed the instructions without checking references for that part. I belove the logo is photo etch. I could probably reposition it without difficulty

 

Your build looks incredible either way.  I've got a 1/32 F6F that I've been working on and I have not touched the engine yet....so glad I saw this, looks like I need to get going on mine!

I really like what you've done with the kit. Lots of talent at work here.

Cheers, Mike

Pics of the completed diorama.  Comments and criticisms welcome. 

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Great job, bstarr!! Looke like all that hard work was worth the effort!

Very cool dio. the figures are outstanding as well as the aircraft.  It really looks great that the ammo loader has the belt over his shoulder.  Good idea .

The only tiny criticism I would have is the mechanic would probably be on a ladder or small scaffold and I doubt that the tool box would be on top of the plane.

Jay Jay

Very cool dio. the figures are outstanding as well as the aircraft.  It really looks great that the ammo loader has the belt over his shoulder.  Good idea .

The only tiny criticism I would have is the mechanic would probably be on a ladder or small scaffold and I doubt that the tool box would be on top of the plane.

 

Thanks for the comments. I couldn't find any 48 scale ladders or scaffolds, and my two attempts at scratch building both looked like crap. I do have an actual photo of a mechanic leaning over from the wing just like this on a Hellcat, although I agree it looks awkward.