Who will be up for the new 1/24 Airfix Hellcat ?

This looks like an awesome kit like their 1:24 Tiffy but man the size takes up a lot of display space.

I have a Bandai 1:24 George and it’s simply gargantuan.

I’ll be watching on the sidelines.  Not my subject or scale, but it looks to be a magnificent model.  Airfix gets bonus points for an unexpected subject, and a very good one at that.  The “ace maker“ indeed

Fold the wings to save display space!  It worked for the real deal.  The hinge design was an innovative and elegant engineering solution - compare to the Fairey Barracuda, which looked like a failed origami experiment!

Impressive,but just takes up too much space.

Just imagine the display real estate required if Airfix did a 1/24 F-4K/M?  Folding the wings would not help much.

For $160 USD? Nope. Not worth that much money 1/24 scale or not. It will be interesting to see what Lucky Model charges for.

Thinking hard about getting one, since I have the Spit, Mustang, Stuka, Hurricane, and 109 in that scale.  The price doesn't really bother me that much.

I had a chance t get close up and personal with this at the Telfor show and chat with the team behind it.

In my mind I have already bought it and there is a jar to throw loose change into for this already.

I fully expect street price to be lower than the official Airfix RRP and indeed some UK shops are already taking pre-orders with a 10% discount.

Space in my stash is there for it and Airfix say an April/May 2019 release and the test shots and sprues show that there is very little now to do to it!

Once in my stash I usually wait for eduard to catch up with cockpit and other detail and maybe master model in poland some really nice .50 barrels!

I could go for a FAA scheme rather than an all over dark blue US Navy cat and casting about for 1/24 scale extra detail sets.

It looks just as good as their 1/24 Tiffy and I do long for them to throw out their 1970's Spitfire and bring that one up to date!

I mentioned to the designer that a 1/24 Me 262 with clear fuselage and engine cowlings would be a fantastic kit and he did raise his eyebrows!

I do forsee some really nice builds on competition tables of this next year!

goldhammer

Thinking hard about getting one, since I have the Spit, Mustang, Stuka, Hurricane, and 109 in that scale.  The price doesn't really bother me that much.

 

You got them all out on display somewhere,must be cool if you do.

Tojo72

 

goldhammer

Thinking hard about getting one, since I have the Spit, Mustang, Stuka, Hurricane, and 109 in that scale.  The price doesn't really bother me that much.

 

 

 

 

You got them all out on display somewhere,must be cool if you do.

 

No, unfortunately.  Picked them up this past summer at a club members sell-off of his stash. He gave all the proceeds to the club.  So, all still in the boxes.

Finally getting my add on room in shape to make into my modeling cave and my lady's music room.  Since it is due out around my b-day, probably going to treat myself.

Probably going to do the Stuka for Bish's Airfix GB.

I'm just amazed at the number of aircraft that are coming out in 1/24 scale and not just single engine aircraft. I'm more of a armor builder than a aircraft I will try one once in a while. I just wish the armor people would embrace 1/24 scale.

 Well I can't wait to see the sprue shots  on the Hellcat. The shots of the 1/32 B-24 made my jaw drop.

 Dave M

Armyguy

 Well I can't wait to see the sprue shots  on the Hellcat. The shots of the 1/32 B-24 made my jaw drop.

 

 Dave M

 

Meh... I take it you haven’t seen WnW’s upcoming Lancaster bomber kit. Now that is pretty impressive.

It’s going to be like their 1:24 Hawker Tuphoon.Fit problems and so on until they re tool the kit.Anyway, very impressive to have a non British subject.I noticed that the rear fire engine plate is missing along with the exhaust pipes holding brackets.This would be an simple fix by scratch building .I would like to see a P-38 in 1:24 from airfix.With this scale you can scratch build detail that can outmatch any contest entry just for its size..

There aint no way in HELL I'd ever tackle that bad boy! I do really love this beautiful aircraft but it's just too dang big! I like the Lancaster too but 1/32nd scale!!!??? The price tag doesn't help things either.

You are right.It is big.

i have the kit for the past month.Looks very good but no parts list inside.I have a friend who works for Hornby an extsnsion of airfix U.S.I am in the 40 percent along in the construction phase.lots of engine plumbing to add along with the engine accessory bay.Very few corrections to be made with the engine.very fragile parts.When complete it will be more detailed than the kit provides.4 versions.Two U.S. and a British and  French.Large bulky model.A after market cockpit instrunment panel detail set for this kit is out there along with a 1/24 scale resin figure pilot.Google will help w/ that.The model if at all will be on a display only status.far advanced to compete.Airfix is the new sheriff in town.Good Luck.

Going well1/ the 1/24 scale Hellcat.The kit comes w/ an internal detail parts.Radios tanks, and fire extinguisher which can be seen w/a flash light from the bottom of fuselage through a positionable door.But; You will have to add lots more detail like control lines an round framing Ect ...And so in for the I.P.M.S. Judges local or not.Closing the super detail fuselage up today.Wing /structure next.

I would love to see some pics! Mine should be arriving later this week. 

I just got mine. The thing is a monster. I have no idea when I'll be able to build it or where I'll be able to store it. I may have to build a whole new photobooth just for the build video. It looks beautiful though. I do know that I'll be doing the East Indies campaign scheme that's included though. I imagine a lot of people will be going for the cover example, and after painting an F6F, F7F, F8F, F9F, and XF10F in the last couple of months I would be glad to never sea GSB again!

I have 2 on order and will be arriving in July. Looking at the test-shot build at Telford last year this is going to be some build and will look good when done!

TheWaggishAmerican

I just got mine. The thing is a monster. I have no idea when I'll be able to build it or where I'll be able to store it. I may have to build a whole new photobooth just for the build video. It looks beautiful though. I do know that I'll be doing the East Indies campaign scheme that's included though. I imagine a lot of people will be going for the cover example, and after painting an F6F, F7F, F8F, F9F, and XF10F in the last couple of months I would be glad to never sea GSB again!

 

mustang1989

That's what I'm talking about right there. Having built one 1/24 scale plane already I went ahead and purchased a 1/24 Fw190D-9. I absolutely love the D-9 but faced the same problem as you did. When to build??? and Where to display??? I feel the exact same way about the Hellcat. Beautiful bird but where in the world would I put it when I finished it??

You're in Texas, there should be room.

I've built the airfix 1/24 hawker typhoon , loved it , just got the stuka 1/24 . looking at building it next , always find room for them . even if you give them away to friends or family .

I'm going to get this big bird, but I'm gonna have a wait until next year at the earliest, as I've been out of work for 3+ years and the wife is working for a company that is going to fold up shop in the next month.

I built Airfix's 1/24 Mosquito, and it was a long, grueling build that resulted in a damn fine looking Mossie.  She currently hangs above a framed picture of two Mosquitos flying out of a Norweigian fjord that I have by the artist Stan Stokes, even though the print depicts a different mark of Mossie.  The Airfix Typhoon in this scale is currently languishing in my stash.

That Mosquito must've been a big build as well.

roony

 

mustang1989

That's what I'm talking about right there. Having built one 1/24 scale plane already I went ahead and purchased a 1/24 Fw190D-9. I absolutely love the D-9 but faced the same problem as you did. When to build??? and Where to display??? I feel the exact same way about the Hellcat. Beautiful bird but where in the world would I put it when I finished it??

 

 

You're in Texas, there should be room.

 

I would love to build this 1/24 monster Hellcat!!!  You and FSM Forum members know of my love of building WWII 1/32 aircraft with my grandson Ezra.

Your friend’s, Ezra & Toshi

Would love to see a build review in FSM on this one......hint, hint, hint!!

Will take up some space at 21 1/2 inch wingspan and 16 3/4 inches long.

I have 2 on order and they should be with me in a week or so.

I will put up an in-box review as soon as I can.

My initial thoughts are, from seeing the pre-production sprues and build at telford last year is that it is going to be a really nice kit to build and should look good. THe only drawback I had and did discuss this with the kit designer was that cheap pale blue oily type plastic that airfix use.

"it keeps production costs down"

"It drives builders crazy and warps way too easilly which costs you in replacement parts!"

Still, if it is of the same engineering and design quality and detail that the Tiffy is, and it does look like it from what I saw then it will be a cracker of a kit.

Eduard already have a cockpit (interior) set, engine set, steel seatbelt set and two masking sets.

HGW are doing a seatbelt set

Top Notch have announced a US Masking set to match the decal sheet in the kit.

Master Models are, I think, doing replacement barrels for the .50's.

So, If you can hang tight for a while then I will give you a good look at the kit!

Have enough on the plate for now with other projects - a motorhome and home remodel- so not in a big rush.  Will look forward to it.  Have seen a coule of on-line retailers here in the states have it listed for just under 140.00 US