Thank you for the in depth and thorough review.  I'm looking forward to this build.

Toshi

Very cool, I built their F6F-3 about a year ago and loved it enough I went out and picked up the nightfighter version. Absolute gem of a kit. 

Dam man I kept scrolling just to see when the sprue shots were going to end. Lotsa parts! I've got two of these "in stock" and the wing fold conversion kit from Wolfpack. These are beautiful kits and I can't wait to break out the blue paint and get started on one.

Speaking of Wolfpack Conversions, that's sweet lil' giddyup too:

Oh yeah sweet kit. Bring on the gloss sea blue baby! Very ambitious wing fold there Mustand Joe. 

Nathan T

Very ambitious wing fold there Mustang Joe

mustang1989

Dam man I kept scrolling just to see when the sprue shots were going to end. Lotsa parts! I've got two of these "in stock" and the wing fold conversion kit from Wolfpack. These are beautiful kits and I can't wait to break out the blue paint and get started on one.

Speaking of Wolfpack Conversions, that's sweet lil' giddyup too:

 

 

 

I thought about the wing fold kit, but surgery on a model has never been my strong suit.  I have one for tamiya's A1-H but skipped it on my first skyraider.  I'll buy another H after I do J and use it then.. i have a serious skyraider problem.  

Speaking of problems - do any of you guys know which interior/chromate green best matches the Eduard pre-colored PE cockpit sets?

harp.ta

 

 

mustang1989

Dam man I kept scrolling just to see when the sprue shots were going to end. Lotsa parts! I've got two of these "in stock" and the wing fold conversion kit from Wolfpack. These are beautiful kits and I can't wait to break out the blue paint and get started on one.

Speaking of Wolfpack Conversions, that's sweet lil' giddyup too:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought about the wing fold kit, but surgery on a model has never been my strong suit.  I have one for tamiya's A1-H but skipped it on my first skyraider.  I'll buy another H after I do J and use it then.. i have a serious skyraider problem.  

Speaking of problems - do any of you guys know which interior/chromate green best matches the Eduard pre-colored PE cockpit sets?

 

yes, Gunze H-58

Looking forward to this harp. You nailed it when you summized the Eduard Hellcat to be one of the best 1/48 kits around. I just recently finished the Eduard 1/72 F6F-3 Hellcat and it was a gem. The 1/48 kit is simply the 1/72 kit on steroids. And yes, the Eduard cowling is hands down the best rendition of the Hellcat "smile". Bring It On!!

Nathan T

 

 

harp.ta

 

 

mustang1989

Dam man I kept scrolling just to see when the sprue shots were going to end. Lotsa parts! I've got two of these "in stock" and the wing fold conversion kit from Wolfpack. These are beautiful kits and I can't wait to break out the blue paint and get started on one.

Speaking of Wolfpack Conversions, that's sweet lil' giddyup too:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought about the wing fold kit, but surgery on a model has never been my strong suit.  I have one for tamiya's A1-H but skipped it on my first skyraider.  I'll buy another H after I do J and use it then.. i have a serious skyraider problem.  

Speaking of problems - do any of you guys know which interior/chromate green best matches the Eduard pre-colored PE cockpit sets?

 

 

 

 

yes, Gunze H-58

 

Thanks for the info!  I checked amazon and a few other sites I usually buy modelling supplies off and I couldn't find it anywhere.  Any idea who sells gunze here in the US?  I know my local hobbytown stores don't stock it.

From the look of it I think maybe a base of MM chromate green with some olive drab and white added might get it pretty close... anyone ever tried to mix it custom with a MM or Tamiya base?

You'll have to custom match it to the Eduard etch. That's why I hate that stuff. I get Gunze through Lucky Model, I used to use MDC in the U K. But I think they nixed international shipping. 

On the Eduard color matching issue, like Nathan I find the poor colour matching by Eduard annoying. Shame, I'm otherwise a big Eduard fan.

My opinion is that the interior colors on the photo etch are so far off that I've never found a cockpit that I want to be those awful colors.

So what I've done on each of my Eduard PE cockpit modified offices is paint the interior a reasonable color and let the color mismatch be what it is.

I don't think this method would work in 1/32nd or larger, though.

No way a I saying this is the right approach, it is just mine.

I use Gunze quite a bit. I order mine from HobbyWave. Good service and relatively fast shipping.

https://www.hobbywave.com/

Joe - thanks for posting such an in-depth intro to this. I have an earlier version I want to build, and I will be following this one with interest. Looking forward to seeing you pull it off!

-BD-

Your gonna love this kit.  It could use a new prop and  wheels, which are the weak spots on this kit.  Here's my dash 3 I did a few years ago should you need a reference as you go.....

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/153858.aspx

Joe

Thanks for all the info guys, I appreciate it - and as always thanks for taking a look in on the build.  

A question involving loadouts - specifically for ground support missions.  I want to do this bird loaded for bear.  Right now I'm leaning towards "Death and Destruction" off the deck of the USS Essex.  Essex supported the invasions of both Iwo Jima and Okinawa - the latter would be about right for the subject I'm thinking I'll build.  The loadout would be 2 1,000lb bombs and 6 shaped HVARS.  My question is - would they have the centerline tank mounted for a CAS type mission or would they take it off due to the short range and heavy bomb load?  

Breaking down the math on the weight:

• 2x 1,000lb bomb = 2,000lb
• 6x Shaped HVAR @ 180.5 (135 for the rocket, 45.5 for the warhead - #s are for a standard 5" HVAR, I couldn't find weight for the shaped variant) = 1,083lb
• 250 gallon tank probably weighed 325lb + 2500lb-ish for the fuel itself (estimated) = 2,825lb
• Empty weight of an F6F-5N was 9,238lb + 5,908lb for ordinance = 15,146lb
• Max takeoff weight of 15,415lb

So theoretically it would be possible but if its a ground support mission the fuel requirements wouldn't neccessarily require a drop tank so the question is would it be more efficient to launch the bird without the centerline tank?  I have to think the additional fuel would be offset by the additional weight and thus they'd launch without the drop tank (or without it filled at least).  However, I don't trust myself on these matters and you guys are pretty damn smart so--- thoughts?  

Thinking right now is that I should leave the centerline tank off if I'm including all that ordinance.

Day 1 - 

Got started by building the harnesses which were several parts each.  There is one tiny red strap that goes in the middle of each harness that was just too small for me to handle so I opted to skip those - otherwise the belts are completely done.  Also attached the rear bulkhead to the floor and affixed the seat to both.  Added the rod to attach the harnesses to and glued the control stick to the floor.  Also attached some of the detail parts to the starboard and port panels.  Once all that was completed, the cockpit parts were primed using Vallejo acrylic (black) primer.  After the primer set up for about an hour, I painted the cockpit parts and fuselage interior using a custom mix of 5 parts chromate green (Model Master), 2 parts flat white, and 1 part Tamiya OD; its not an exact match to the Interior Green on the Eduard parts, but from what I can tell its pretty close (close enough to look good after a wash on the cockpit at least).

I also started on the engines and ordinance.  The cylinders were removed from the sprues and cleaned up.  The parts attach to the sprues twice at the end of each cylinder at the intake valves, making clean up quite the task.  There was also some flash in the circular end of each cylinder (between the intake valves), this was removed using a circular file, then the grooves were re-scribed as best as possible with a hobby knife.  Once removed they were primed in Vallejo acrylic primer (black).  The shaped HVAR rockets and 1000 lb bombs were also assembled.  The PE fins for the 1000 lb bombs are quite delicate and each set broke twice and had to be repaired.  However, the propellers for the bombs look quite good once mounted.  This was my first time assembling fins out of PE and though they aren't perfect, I'm quite proud just to have gotten them completed in a somewhat acceptable manner.  The HVAR rockets have a bit of flash on the fins/motor that had to be cleaned up.  I cleaned up each fin using a hobby knife and fine sanding stick.  That process made cleaning the cylinders on the radial engines up seem quite easy by comparison.  The guides for mounting the fins/motors to the shafts are quite worthless and were sanded down.  Each set of fins was then attached using Tamiya Extra Thin Cement.  

The next tasks will be to attach the rest of the PE parts in the cockpit, then clearcoat and wash before sealing the fuselage up.  The engines are also to be painted and the leads attached, then those will be sealed and washed using AK interactive engine wash.

Thanks for looking in!

Cheers, 

/T

Modeler's ADD kicked in (started on my 1/350 scale Gato Class sub) and parenting became temporarily harder so its been a while since my last update.  That being said, I got some work done last night.  Got the cockpit glossed up and weathered, drybrushed with aluminum, then coated back to flat.  Also finished the engine and nacelle up.  The ignition wire PE seemed a bit off but I managed to get it presentable.  I also just realized its way easier to install seat belts before assembling the cockpit.  That being said, I think it came out adequately for my 1st try at mutipart harnesses.  As always, thanks for taking a look at my build.

Cheers!

Splendidly done harp. Your cockpit and engine are sharp looking. I commend you on your work on the PE harness and on those fins. They look just right.

Concerning your question on the need for a centerline tank with full load of ordnance, I personally do not have a definitive answer for you. It's an excellent question though. My thought would be that it would be contingent on the distance required to the target area. I'd also consider that the drop tank would only be needed as far as the target and that the fuel in the drop tank would be used first thus reducing it's weight enroute. Just some random thoughts.

JOE RIX

Splendidly done harp. Your cockpit and engine are sharp looking. I commend you on your work on the PE harness and on those fins. They look just right.

Concerning your question on the need for a centerline tank with full load of ordnance, I personally do not have a definitive answer for you. It's an excellent question though. My thought would be that it would be contingent on the distance required to the target area. I'd also consider that the drop tank would only be needed as far as the target and that the fuel in the drop tank would be used first thus reducing it's weight enroute. Just some random thoughts.

 

Thanks Joe.  I'd think that the distance from a task force to island targets (like Iwo) wouldn't be so far as to necessitate a drop tank but I'm not positive.  TOW would certainly be an issue carrying all that oridinance.  Common sense seems to indicate that they'd take it off prior to take off but I'm paranoid about these things and really want to get it right.

Wow, looking great so far. 

harp.ta

 

 

JOE RIX

Splendidly done harp. Your cockpit and engine are sharp looking. I commend you on your work on the PE harness and on those fins. They look just right.

Concerning your question on the need for a centerline tank with full load of ordnance, I personally do not have a definitive answer for you. It's an excellent question though. My thought would be that it would be contingent on the distance required to the target area. I'd also consider that the drop tank would only be needed as far as the target and that the fuel in the drop tank would be used first thus reducing it's weight enroute. Just some random thoughts.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Joe.  I'd think that the distance from a task force to island targets (like Iwo) wouldn't be so far as to necessitate a drop tank but I'm not positive.  TOW would certainly be an issue carrying all that oridinance.  Common sense seems to indicate that they'd take it off prior to take off but I'm paranoid about these things and really want to get it right.

 

JOE RIX

 

 

harp.ta

 

 

JOE RIX

Splendidly done harp. Your cockpit and engine are sharp looking. I commend you on your work on the PE harness and on those fins. They look just right.

Concerning your question on the need for a centerline tank with full load of ordnance, I personally do not have a definitive answer for you. It's an excellent question though. My thought would be that it would be contingent on the distance required to the target area. I'd also consider that the drop tank would only be needed as far as the target and that the fuel in the drop tank would be used first thus reducing it's weight enroute. Just some random thoughts.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Joe.  I'd think that the distance from a task force to island targets (like Iwo) wouldn't be so far as to necessitate a drop tank but I'm not positive.  TOW would certainly be an issue carrying all that oridinance.  Common sense seems to indicate that they'd take it off prior to take off but I'm paranoid about these things and really want to get it right.

 

 

 

 

Sound thinking indeed. Tell you what, I have a number of reference books on the Hellcat and I'll peruse them and see if I can find some clarification for you.

 

 

Hey Joe, if its not too much trouble - while you're perusing that book, does it have any good shots of the landing gear and bays.  The instructions - as good as they are - are a little unclear on the paint for that area.  It says the gear bays should be the same color as the bottom surface (navy blue) but doesn't give a color for the struts.  Some of the images I've seen have them white, some aluminum, some white.  I've also seen the gear bays in chromate green and navy.  I know B-24s had the bays the same color as the underside of the wing (neutral gray) but I've never seen that on a fighter from that era.  Any insights as to those colors (along with the insides of the landing gear doors) would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

harp.ta

 

 

JOE RIX

 

 

harp.ta

 

 

JOE RIX

Splendidly done harp. Your cockpit and engine are sharp looking. I commend you on your work on the PE harness and on those fins. They look just right.

Concerning your question on the need for a centerline tank with full load of ordnance, I personally do not have a definitive answer for you. It's an excellent question though. My thought would be that it would be contingent on the distance required to the target area. I'd also consider that the drop tank would only be needed as far as the target and that the fuel in the drop tank would be used first thus reducing it's weight enroute. Just some random thoughts.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Joe.  I'd think that the distance from a task force to island targets (like Iwo) wouldn't be so far as to necessitate a drop tank but I'm not positive.  TOW would certainly be an issue carrying all that oridinance.  Common sense seems to indicate that they'd take it off prior to take off but I'm paranoid about these things and really want to get it right.

 

 

 

 

Sound thinking indeed. Tell you what, I have a number of reference books on the Hellcat and I'll peruse them and see if I can find some clarification for you.

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Joe, if its not too much trouble - while you're perusing that book, does it have any good shots of the landing gear and bays.  The instructions - as good as they are - are a little unclear on the paint for that area.  It says the gear bays should be the same color as the bottom surface (navy blue) but doesn't give a color for the struts.  Some of the images I've seen have them white, some aluminum, some white.  I've also seen the gear bays in chromate green and navy.  I know B-24s had the bays the same color as the underside of the wing (neutral gray) but I've never seen that on a fighter from that era.  Any insights as to those colors (along with the insides of the landing gear doors) would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

 

Thanks a ton Joe!  From everything I've seen you are indeed correct - all the late war Hellcats seem to be dark sea blue from head to toe.

Got the wings/stabilizers complete and attached to the bird, also assembled the landing gear tonight (including all the tedious PE parts and tiny struts).  The cowl is assembled but it didnt line up quite right so i had to sand it heavy to correct, and in turn will have to wet sand that to smooth things out, then rescribe a few panel lines.  Fuselage fit is really good.  Had to sand a bit in places and used an 11 blade to remove some excess glue seams.  Gonna give it a coat of silver to check for errors, fix whatever needs fixing, then prime it.  Also assembled the resin wheels/tires which are really good and required almost no cleaning.  The one area where cleaning was needed was sanded down to give it some weight.  Forgot to install the exhaust plate on the underside of the fuselage (whoops!) so I'm going to try and jerry it in there with the use of tape and maybe a pilot hole drilled in the firewall (behind the engine where it will be invisible. I'm hoping to have her painted and decaled by the end of the week.

A few construction photos from the last few days:

That Cat's looking good, Harp.  And great work on the cockpit!

You are more than welcome. Love what you're doing so far. Looks great. Hmm, rather unfortunate concerning the cowling. Appears you got it in shape though.

As usual progress has slowed.. kids...

I did manage to get her mostly assembled and I started priming today (did the top and ran out.. guess a trip to Hobbytown on my lunch tomorrow is in order).  I'm really bad at rescribing so I'm pretty proud of the job I did on the fuselage.  There are a couple spots where the tool skipped the groove that ill have to patch and re-prime but overall I'm pretty happy about it so far.  I decided to forego the drop tank and just dress her up loaded for bear.  Six HVARs and two thousand pounders... shes gonna look real mean once done.  Thinking about making fuse wires for the HVARs out of stretched sprue but I'm not sure how anal-retentive I wanna go with the underside.  Here are a few new pics of the primed fuselage and wings.

allan

That Cat's looking good, Harp.  And great work on the cockpit!

 

Thanks Allen!  These profipacks are something special.  I really wish Eduard would start making more of em!  Maybe even expand into profipack ships/armor... maybe someday!  I want a corsair (and a P-51!) dang it!