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

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

What's going on in here?

I am in total agreement with everyone

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

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

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.

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

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.

lawdog114

I shot the underside this morning.  I started with Tamiya Flat White XF-2 but it was just too white, even over the pre-shading.  I decided to cut it with a touch of Buff XF-57 to make it appear slightly "dirty".  This improved the appearance considerably to my eye.  I figured these turkeys got very dirty underneath, so, I used my concoction of diluted XF-69 NATO Black and XF-64 Red Brown and did some extreme post shading, more than I'm usually comfortable with.   I added a smidgen of XF-1 Flat Black on a toothpick to the mixture in my airbrush cup to give it a bit more "substance" and sprayed some exhaust streaking and staining on the belly.  I didn't want to overdo it so I stopped here for now....I may do more after decaling.

 I should get to the blues soon.....but right now I'm just singing it.

Dang Joe, you're an artist with that AB dude.  That's looking really good, the staining and panel lines look superb.  I'm betting this bird looks some kinda great when you finish.  I'm looking forward to more!

Gary

I shot the underside this morning.  I started with Tamiya Flat White XF-2 but it was just too white, even over the pre-shading.  I decided to cut it with a touch of Buff XF-57 to make it appear slightly "dirty".  This improved the appearance considerably to my eye.  I figured these turkeys got very dirty underneath, so, I used my concoction of diluted XF-69 NATO Black and XF-64 Red Brown and did some extreme post shading, more than I'm usually comfortable with.   I added a smidgen of XF-1 Flat Black on a toothpick to the mixture in my airbrush cup to give it a bit more "substance" and sprayed some exhaust streaking and staining on the belly.  I didn't want to overdo it so I stopped here for now....I may do more after decaling.

 I should get to the blues soon.....but right now I'm just singing it.

Looking good Joe!! Nice work on that droptank 

I'm in for a quick update.  My night was spent assembling the airframe, building the drop tank, and replacing the lost panel lines and rivets.  I used a combo of Gorilla glue and Tenax 7R to get a good bond at the wing root. I had a bit of trouble getting the dihedral angled properly since there are no positive locators or tabs.  I suppose Eduard could have designed this a bit better here, but I think I finally got it right.  I've read the Hellcat had spring loaded control surfaces, so I fastened them all in the neutral position.  Once it was assembled I hit it with a light coat of Alclad Grey primer.  I rescribed a few lines and replaced some of the rivets on the spine that I sanded off with a sewing needle chucked into a pin vice. 

I assembled the drop tank and added the prominent weld down the middle of the tank which is normally seen on these with .10 styrene rod.  I then added the PE straps.  Here it is after a primer coat. 

Here's a dry run.....not too shabby.  I think the fit will be good, but its too bad the PE doesn't run all the way around the tank. 

I should be starting the scheme soon, but I still can't make up my mind...........

Joe 

That PW engine is outstanding.

Jester75

I have this very kit in the stash.

Me, too.

I'll be following this one!

Thanks guys.  I'm glad my mill rigging method has been useful.  Eric, I did the same drooling then ultimately decided I needed a Zero Killer in my collection.  Just dive in bro, you wont be disappointed.  Steve, I'm definitely going with the tri-scheme but I'm still undecided on a subject.  Furthermore, I have to figure out Tamiya's equivalent to Non Spectacular and Intermediate Blue.  I see they have XF-17 Sea Blue and XF-18 Medium Blue, but I'm not sure if these are accurate for my needs here.  I suppose I should post this question.

Joe 

Nice looking mill Joe!  That prop looks. sweet. Can't wait to see you get to paint.  Are you doing the tri-color scheme?

Steve

Outstanding work.  Thanks for the how to's!

Beautimous, Joe!  What a great start on the Hellcat.  And aren't those Ultra-Cast props sharp?  Got one for the P-47 I'm building, and it's makes all the difference (well, considering it was a Monogram prop, that's not saying much).

I hope I can find one of these at the upcoming model show.

Gary

Nice Joe! Your engines always turn out superb! Can't believe the difference in that prop, so much more detail than the kit version. I pulled my Cat out after seeing this build log and drooled over the sprue....some more, and was surprised at how bulky this a/c actually was.

...Cool...!

In for an update.  I have completed the PW R-2800 and began assembly of the fuselage.  The engine was sprayed Alclad Dark Aluminum and the propeller gear box XF-53 Neutral Grey.  Like I've said, I would rather rig my own ignition harness instead of using PE.  Its tedious work but worth it to me, especially on planes where this area is so visible.  I just don't find PE harnesses all that convincing because in actuality, they're trying to make something that's flat appear round.  My method consists of  styrene rod and stereo fuse wire.  Rather that rehash my method, allow me to direct you to a tutorial I posted last year which explains step by step how I achieve it:

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/149327.aspx

Heres how it turned out.  This took a shade over an hour:

After a Testor's Gloss Coat, "The Detailer" black wash and blast of Tamiya Smoke X-19, Here's the finished product. I don't normally dullcoat it because I like the oily sheen the Smoke leaves. 

See...it looks much more convincing that PE.

I joined the fuselage and assembled the cowls...yes cowls.  I built all three of them because I'm not sure which F3 varient I'm going to build.  I also assembled the drop tank.  The fit on everything so far has been good.  I particularly like the ridged panels on the top of the fuselage, almost if they were going to overlap each other.  It was kind of a pain for sanding the seam but still a nice touch.  I assume the real Hellcat was done this way.  I will be starting on the wings and such soon. Here's the fuselage with the engine and cowl tacked in place.  The fit looks good so far.

My Ultracast Prop arrived yesterday and it was assembled with Gorilla glue.  As you can see when compared with the kit part (the olive colored one on the right), they aren't even in the same league.  To me this was worth the $11.00 since it is so prominent on the front of the plane.  I can't wait to paint and detail this guy.

 Stay tuned...

Joe

Thank for the compliments guys. I just finished rigging the mill and will post some pics once my camera charges.  Andrew (and this should answer Steve's question too), I use Alclad Clear Gloss Coat which I believe is mineral spirt based (smells just like it), so I have no idea if the Flory will work on your acrylic.  I dont see why not. Steve, I think your refering to Testor's Gloss Coat.  I use it to seal  my cockpits for a wash and cut it withe lacquer thinner.  The upside is it dried very quick.  The downside is it smells awful.  

Joe

Looking great Lawdog!

Lawdog,

I just bought the Ultracast HS props for the Italeri F7F-3N Tigercat and they look really good.  A question for you on the clear coat.  I'm almost out of Future and have been looking for a replacement.  Is the Testors clear coat their clear laquor?  Thanks!

Steve

I seem to remember seeing a picture of an Experimental F6F with 4 bladed Hamilton Standard prop.  May have had the split case R-2800 as used in the P-47M and Bearcat.  That would be a neat simple conversion.

On the clearcoat, Lawdog, it was just curiosity.  I agree about Future, just doesn't work the same anymore.  I've swung over to acrylic clear coats, and that's why I ask.  Flory washes should still work with the acrylics, no?  I only ask as I want to make sure I have my technique good still.  I know the oils play well over top the acrylics.

Ultracast is a very nice outfit to deal with, just about bending over backwards to help.

Nathan, its funny you mentioned the Jug prop.  I actually thought of that and considered raiding my Tamiya P-47 stockpile until I realized the Hellcat was a three blader.  I wonder how much faster it would have been with an extra blade like the Jug?  Same with the Corsair.  

Thanks Gary.  I found an Ultracast HS Prop at Sprue Brothers.  I missed it somehow the first time I looked.  These guys are incredible and it will probably on my doorstep tomorrow.  Impressive customer service there.  

Joe

Joe,

Loved the P-38 and am looking forward to the F6F build.  I want to pick up one of the Eduard F6F-3 kits myself, so I'll be watching your progress.

BTW, does the F6F use a Hamilton Standard three-bladed prop?  Maybe like this one:

http://www.ultracast.ca/products/48/240/default.htm

Can't be sure that's what's on the aircraft, but I'll check around.

Gary

PS> Yes, the Hellcat seems to have used the Hamilton Standard Prop, so you're in business if you can afford the price. 

Apologies.  You will need the WIDE blades.

http://www.ultracast.ca/products/48/241/default.htm

The P-47 had a four bladed prop.  The Hellcat was a three blader...