1/48 Eduard F6F3 Hellcat (FINISHED) "Alex Vraciu"

Mikeym_us

You actually could have used the Flat white you just tone it down with some pin washes. The color you used though looks like the color you used on your Zero fighter.

Oh my...I hope not.  Its probably my inept photography.  Its likely I forgot to turn on one of my overhead fluorescents.  The Hellcat is a dirty white in person and the zero is a tanish grey with a greenish tint to it. 

and now the zero...

  Im not a fan of pin washes, especially oil, theres no margin for error. i prefer post shading at this stage and a panel line wash later. 

Joe

Nice work on the Hellcat Joe. Great post shading as usual. Gunze makes a nice off-white color if your interested, but your mixing looks great. Don't be afraid of oils, they are actually the most forgiving out of everything, as they dry slow and can be completely wiped off a gloss coat if you don't like the look. I know we all have our own methods though.

Your Hellcat looks awesome, Joe!

Makes me want to bring mine to and end (it doesn't even look half as good as yours), but I have to wait for the engine i ordered at Hannants...

I'm looking forward to the finished model.

Cheers, Clemens

Joe, you truly are a master with an airbrush! Lovely work as usual!

I am in total agreement with everyone

What's going on in here?

Reasoned

What's going on in here?

I'm building a zero killer bro.....lol.  Sorry, the work schedule has been hectic lately and bench time has been sporadic at best.  Thanks a pants load for all the kind words guys,  Well....I ultimately decided on Alex Vraciu's "Gadget"  which was one of the choices that Eduard offered.  Truthfully, I kind of "eny-meany-mighty moe'd"  it on which scheme I was going to go with.  I'm still researching Vraciu's combat history but so far it seems quite impressive with 19 air-to-air victories.  I procured Tamiya XF-17 Sea Blue and XF-18 Intermediate Blue from my LHS then commenced to concoct my version of the tri-colored Navy scheme.  This is my first endeavor at this scheme. 

I started with the Intermediate Blue and lightened it with XF-2 Flat White.  I compared it with an old Model Master bottle I had until it looked about right.  I then sprayed the fuselage sides free hand, since it appeared the demarcation lines in the profile were very soft.  I thought the Sea blue was too green, so I mixed in a few drops of XF-8 Flat Blue and XF-2 Flat White which then looked better to me.  This was sprayed free hand too.  I added more white and made condensation streaks along the upper wing.   The control surfaces were then faded even more.  Once I thought it looked about right, I used a mixture of diluted XF-69 NATO Black and XF-64 Red Brown and post shaded some panel lines, mostly on the control surfaces and around the engine cowl area.  I also lightly postshaded the ribs in the ailerons, rudder, and stabilizers.  I haven't decided whether I like this not.  I may go back and tone them down.  Truthfully, once its clearcoated, decaled, washed, the dull coated, most of the streaking and postshading gets lost.  Its actually best to sort of overdo it at this stage. 

I have a book called the "Applied Modeling Encyclopedia Aircraft Edition" which has some phenomenal work inside.  There is an especially nice Hasegawa F6F3 done in there with some impressive exhaust staining along the fuselage.  I used this for inspiration and somewhat copied the modeler's technique.  I sprayed diluted XF-66 Light Grey lightly along the side and wing root to show fading from the exhaust heat.  I then took diluted NATO Black and Red Brown, with a touch of XF-1 Flat Black to add some density and then added some exhaust staining.  I tried not to overdo it.  I may go back with more once its all said and done.  I learned a long time ago that less is more and to quit weathering while your ahead.  You can always add more but its harder to take it away. 

After another trip to my LHS to get more Alclad Gloss Coat and I'll be ready for decals. 

Joe

Joe, she's really looking fine.  At this point, has a wash been applied to the plane? 

Gary

I'm in love with that tri-color scheme! Exhaust stains look sweet over it too.

Thanks Gary.  No wash yet.  Just airbrushing trickery by means of some postshading,  I keep that diluted mix of black and red brown pre-mixed in a glass bottle so its ready at hand.  I alter it for my particular needs with 91 Isoprophy;.  The airframe will get a Flory wash after the decaling and a seal coat of Alclad Gloss Coat.  This fine forum introduced me to the Flory products and I have been using them ever since.   

Joe

Thanks Nathan!

Beautimous work on that tri-color scheme Joe!! Just love the streaking and shading. About Vraciu, if you have a Netflix account, there was an episode of Dogfights about him as well on Instant Watch. Was pretty good.

Your Hellcat looks so beautiful, Joe!

I would be happy to have half as much skill as you do....

Clemens

Joe, I must say in all honesty your paint jobs are as good as seen on ANY forums, period.

Thanks guys.  Reasoned, I don't know about that, there are a whole lot more talented modelers out there than I...but thanks anyways for the kind words.  Its all about finding the right technique, or combination of them, that works....I suppose I'm almost there.  Anyways, I got Gadget finally clear coated and decaled.  Oh..the beauty of Alclad Clear Gloss...I sprayed it in the morning and decaled it later that same evening.  Forget Future, or whatever incarnation it is now.  I used the kit decals and they worked fine.  I think Cartograph makes Eduard's decals, which are usually very nice.  I made it a point to use every stencil decal called out.  Mostly because I just wanted to see if I could do it.  I usually get tired of them about half way through and just use the prominent ones, like "no step" or "put gas here" and such.    Here's shiny Gadget.  Its almost a shame to have to dirty it up...

The decals were sealed with another coat of Alclad Gloss and It will soon get a Flory wash which will grunge this turkey up nicely.

Joe. 

Joe,

That shading looks really good.  Just watched the documentary, "The Fighting Lady" and I immediately thought of your F6F.

A couple of questions (as you're the master at this):  Do you always put a finishing coat on before you weather, or do you add another coat after?

And do you always put the prop stub in and glue on the cowl, placing the propeller last?  Curious, as it seems easier to me to put the propeller on before gluing the cowl.

Thanks!

Gary

Thanks Gary.  I've never seen that one.  I'm gonna have to look it up.  I did see the "Zero Killer" Dogfight episode recently which was awesome.  I wish that series would come back to the History Channel, but unfortunately most of the pilots are no longer with us...shame.  The Hellcat...what a plane and at the right time.  The zero never stood a chance.

Reference your question, I'm kind of confused, but I'll try to answer.  I put down my color scheme and once done, I coat everything with Alclad Gloss coat.  Decals come next which are then sealed with more Alclad Gloss.  It gets a panel line wash (lately I've been using Flory) and when done, I seal everything with good old fashioned Testor's dull coat cut with lacquer thinner.  I vary this consistency depending on what sheen I'm going or.  I tend to like a slight sheen.

Reference the prop, on this one I accidentally installed the shaft before I got the Ultacast prop.  I had to saw off the shafts on both the engine and the UC prop then I fashioned a steel rod to attached the prop to the engine.  It works and spins freely...cool.  The prop is usually the last thing I add.  

I'm done with it and as soon as I finish building the carrier deck (a first, made out of strips of balsa) I'll post the finished pictures.  I just think my planes look naked without a base.  

Joe    

I am finally done my "Zero Killer".  The subject is the 1/48 Eduard Hellcat F6F3 in the markings of Alex Vraciu when he was with VF-6 off the USS Intrepid somewhere around January of 1944.  Interestingly,and completely unrelated, Vraciu's first recorded zero kill came on October 10th, 1943, which was the same day my Grandfather bailed out of a burning 390th BG B-17 over the Third Reich.

Anyhow, on to the kit.   I rarely build naval subjects but I haven't enjoyed a build this much in a long time. What an awesome kit.  Detail, fit,...only a couple quirks, such as replacing the prop and wheels which are mediocre at best.   The Profipack example comes with enough extras to satisfy most of us.  I am addicted to Eduard's pre-cut masks and I look to see if they are available on everything I build now.  This all aside, unfortunately, I can rarely resist additions.  I added a spare True Details seat I had on hand, and I replaced the prop and wheels with Ultracast examples.  I also added Quickboost guns.  I have mixed feelings about these.  They look great but I thought the outboard 50's were supposed to stick out of the wing a bit on the Hellcat?.... Oh well.  I scratch built the engine harness but that was out of  personal preference, which I do on all my radials.  I did shorten the main gear legs to squat it a bit and I added brake lines over the pre-molded ones.  It just looks better. 

This was my first attempt at building a makeshift carrier deck.  I took the pictures while the glue was still drying...lol.  More on this below. 

Now for the carrier deck.  I decided to try to replicate the Essex class Intrepid from a picture I found online (actually several).  I sliced up strips of balsa (I eyeballed the plank widths) and glued them into a piece of cardboard with Elmer's glue.  Once dry, I trimmed it into an oval to fit the base.  Fortunately my base is small so not much decking had to be reproduced.  My research indicated that by 1944, all US carriers had camouflage decks, usually done in "Norfolk 250N Blue flight deck ".  I sought to replicate that by mixing up XF-50 Field Blue and XF-18 Intermediate Blue. After a dusting of XF-69 NATO Black for weathering, I painted the blue  I tried to leave some wood color showing for wear.. Here's the result after a clear coat and wash.  Its not perfect but I'm happy with the results.

Thanks for following thread and comments are always welcome,

Joe

Joe, what can I say, you've done it again!  That is another beautiful model, and they are coming fast and furious these days.   Man, I am stuck in a very unmotivated phase and just am having a hard time getting started on another build (I guess the MiG-17 took a lot out of this ol' boy, lol).  You sir, are an inspiration to me! 

Gary

Joe, your "Zero Killer" IS KILLER! Wow, what a great build and in some record time.  The weathering, paint layer technique and dio are to behold.  I am with you on those Eduard masks, it's a lazy man's way of making one of the worst parts of building.... tolerable.  I love the carrier deck look, very real.  Congrats again on a super fine job. 

Nice Cat Joe. The carrier deck is very convincing. How is the detail in the landing gear and gear bays? Did they fit well or are they flimsy like the 190 kits? Looks like the sliding canopy fit well in the open position?

Your Hellcat is truly a Masterpiece, Joe!

To the Gear/Gear Bays: I am building this kit right now as well (mine wont turn out half as good) and the gear bays are molded on at the lower wing halves. The Landing gear is a bit fiddly, but it's not that bad.

Cheers, Clemens

Amazing finish Joe! Your bases always look sharp but I think I may like this one best of all! The Hellcat turned out beautifully and that is an understatement. What do you have your sights on next??

Thanks Gary, Reasoned, Nathan, Eric and Clemens, you guys are always so kind.  Nathan, I had no trouble with the landing gears.  This kit is leaps and bounds ahead of their 190 series.  Its just awesome.  The gears were nicely detailed and even had the swivel gears (similar to the P-40) at the top. I assembled mine before paint and installation.    

Eric, interestingly I initially ordered the Verlinden carrier deck from Sprue Brothers for this project, but  I got impatient and tired of waiting for it to arrive (well over a week which is uncharacteristic of SB...probably USPS fault), so I figured I would have my hand at trying to make my own.  Then the Verlinden product arrived today.  What a rip off!  $10.00 bucks for one photocopied half-a@@ed picture of a carrier deck that my 6 year old daughter could do a better job drawing. The least they could have done was put a few sheets in there.  Well, now I have a reference picture to make my own again out of balsa.  hopefully I just saved some of you $10.00

I just started cutting sprue on the new 1/48 Eduard Spitfire IXc,  Another awesome kit which appears to be up there with the Tamiya P-47 series (my holy grail kit).  I guess I'm on an Eduard kick right now.  I can't wait to get my hands on an Eduard Hellcat dash 5 now.  If Eduard continues this trend, we surely are in for modeling bliss.  

Joe    

I can't wait to see what you do with that Eduard Spit Joe.  Dude, that should be a real treat!  Get busy Joe, inquiring minds are wanting to know!!

Gary

Joe,

Thanks!  You answered my question (however badly it was worded) perfectly.  The shading is just about perfect.  And since you've never seen "The Fighting Lady" (in it's entirety), I'll just give you a link.  Enjoy!

Gary

PS>  This is the Essex Class USS Yorktown.  The documentary is just over an hour long.  Pappy Boyington said one of the fighters actually filmed the pit he and other POWs were thrown into during the attack.  "In it's entirety" means that every dogfight gun camera footage was used in later films and on TV.  You'll recognize most of them. 

Absolutely beautifully built!!!

Thanks Roger.  Gary, thank you for that link.  What a fantastic movie  I watched it twice!  I wish I would have seen that before this build for there are some great examples of weathering on that two tone scheme.  I think my Accurate Miniatures Dauntless and Avenger may have just moved up in the pile.  

Gary (Tex), I hope to get some time on the Spit in the next couple of days.  I'm considering a full invasion stripes example since I was pleased how they turned out on my P-38,but we'll seewhen I get there.  I am however sort of intrigued by that NMF version supplied in the kit...  

Joe

Joe, I cannot believe I've never come across this before.  I know I was on the forum in 2013, but I can't believe I wasn't around enough to never come across this.  I'm usually just a first pager only, but that's often because I try to stay updated.  =]

Great Hellcat.  I built Viraciu's Gadget back in the summer of 2011.  It was this kit exactly.  First build I ever did where I felt like I had achieved something...lol...it's such a great kit.  I plan on doing another one some time soon, but I'm looking for a good pilot and good scheme.  I do plan on building another base like I just finished but with a carrier theme much like the one above.  I hadn't considered balsa wood as a medium.  How did it come out (looking close up)??  Does the grain jump out too much or does it serve to add a textured surface for the deck.  I had planned on using plastic strip mostly on account of durability and control in weathering and painting.  I wouldn't be opposed to trying something else. =]

Well, good thing this necro-thread was resurrected, this is indeed a great build!