justplanecrazy

That is outstanding!!! just what I was looking for. That's why I come to this site. Thanks again Jug

I'm confused on which reduction gear housing to use as there are 4 in the kit, 2 bullet shaped (1 of them less so) , and 2 with a canister shape. There are 2 sets of rocker covers, 1 set is bulged like the ones used on the 10w for example, the others are flat. there are also 3 sets of magnetos, one looks like a canister, one looks like a cannister with a lid and small triangle on top, and 1 set that is oval. The instructions just have arrows and just say "option" . I know the parts sprues are generic to most if not all of Trumpeters radial engine kits so several versions of this engine can be made, I'm just not sure about the mid-production 2800s. Thanks for your help Jug!

I'm building the Trumpeter F8F-1 Bearcat and the instructions are not clear at all on which crankcase and rocker cover parts to use for this variant. I've found hundreds of pics on the interwebs of 2800s but none of this series. Anyone have any insights on which parts to use? Or a picture? Thanks!

another thing I noticed on this photo is that the spring-loaded grab handle door seems to be missing. I've noticed that this is not an uncommon occurrence since I've seen it in other photos. just a side note on the stencils, wartime birds had a "NO STEP" stencil on the wing, just above the triangular fairing is between the inboard and outboard flaps, as this portion had little support framing underneath. Don't know about the Fundekal's sheet, but I know the kit sheet does not have one

The "pitot static line" stencil does not appear on #7 that was pictured in a previous post. and looking closely, the insulator appears teardrop shaped. That's they way I depicted it on my model. I believe the stencil is on the restored #32 at The FHM, but haven't seen it on wartime a/c.

That's what I thought. Thanks!

Looking excellent Chuck! The picture above of #7 on the Randolph was taken on August 14th 1945, or so the photo credit says on the pic I saw, making it a Hellcat from VF-16. To confirm this, the Helldiver in the background has an "L" on the tail. My Dad flew with them. He made the 12000th landing on the Randolph on August 13th. Got a picture of him with the cake! As a side note, Dad said they were using boom mikes by this time, and you can see this in the photo of #7. Great job with this kit! I've built 2 so far in VF-16 markings and am trying to figure out how to get the pics from my android to the computer, to the RFI page. technology.....ugh

I've been researching Airacobras lately and was thinking of building a Guadalcanal P-400. Since these A/C were from a canceled British order and retained their British serial numbers, would they have the British Sutton harness? or the standard USAAF harness? Haven't run across any info on this yet. Thanks for any help

Good call Thomaz. Now I need to correct it on mine!

I just recently watched the Wyler film "Thunderbolt" and there is a great shot of the area immediately behind the headrest and it appears to be chromate yellow where the slide mechanism is. Take a look. It appears in the first 2 min or so of the film. I found it on youtube. I always assumed it was O.D. but it clearly shows something else. Don't know if it was a repaint or replacement

is it just me or does the sand color appear to be splotched on the underside as well in the top photo?

Thanks Derek

Would the spark plugs really be visible on P & W R-2800? I have been tempted to get the ANYZ spark plugs but it seems to me they would have been covered by some kind of boot or tube for anti-static purposes. After all, I can't see the spark plugs on my car and these plugs have to perform in MUCH harsher conditions. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mark

Thanks Jennings!

I'm currently working on my 2nd 1/24th Airfix hellcat and would love to locate some decal logos for the engine. I know Fundekal had a sheet. is it still available? Anyone have a spare? I painted the first one, and it looks ok, but I'm pulling out all the stops on this one and would love a nice sharp decal for it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mark

My Dad flew Hellcats with VF-16 off the Randolph at the end of the war. I asked him this question years ago and he said the pilots were not assigned aircraft but flew them according to where they were spotted on the deck. The Navy considered planes and pilots interchangeable. Any kill marks were recorded on the VF's scoreboard on the side of carriers island. He also said he usually flew wing on CAG (I believe Moffet was his name) and not even he flew the same aircraft all the time. I'm sure there were exceptions as noted previously but Dad said that kill marks on Navy planes at this point in the war were for pictures and PR purposes.

I've been told that it has to do with where the aircraft flew in formation . not sure about this because it does seem to occur on the right side in most photos I've seen

just curios if anyone has a picture of Princess Pat's nose art? I would LOVE to do this a/c

looks great Peter!!

I used XF-17 on mine as well. looks good under a gloss coat. I used sanding and polishing pads on mine to knock back the shine

looks great Pete! Always love that part of the build. What paint did you use?

Thanks for your replies. I know OD is very finicky and can take on many different hues especially in photos. If you look up the P-38 at the National Air And Space museum you"ll see what I'm talking about. just thought it would be an interesting effect to replicate. Thanks again!

In regards to the first photo you posted easixpedro, I have a copy of the Randolph's combat action report that Those Helldiver pictures originally appeared in. With those planes having white alierons, I suppose it is possible that some of the VB-16 Helldivers might have received the striped tail markings and were then painted over, however, I don't see the L's on either aircraft. Definitely a curiosity.

love the discussion about the markings for the Randolph's aircraft. My dad flew with VF-16. He joined the VF at Ulithi just before they deployed to the Randolph. I have a picture in my collection of VF-16 Hellcats on deck immediately after arriving on the Randolph that dad took at Leyte. The Hellcats don't have any ID codes or numbers yet, just the stars and bars. I suppose it's possible that some of the aircraft received the old geometric carrier ID markings, but I'm sure not very many, or for very long. My brother and I watched a YouTube video of VT-16 Avengers, of which several were still in the old camo scheme, while some were Dark Sea Blue. they all carried the "L" and no hint of any stripes. Dad always associated the stripes with VF-12 and the L with VF-16, even though as has been stated, these were carrier ID marks and not Air Group ID's. I'll try to work on uploading some of the photos I have, but my technical skills are sadly lacking.....

While on a recent visit to the USAF Museum my brother and I were walking around the B 24 Strawberry *****. Next to the plane was a prop recovered from the Lady Be Good and next to that was a engine and cowling unit from a recovered B 24 with no identification information, not sure it was from the Lady Be Good. Anyway it was olive drab over neutral grey and extremely worn. What struck me was some of the O.D. worn areas were brown! most definately brown. I had noticed this on pictures of the P 38j at the NASM but thought it was because of the museum lighting. It's very visible in those photos. My question is, was this an undercoat? You can plainly see bare aluminum, what appears to be a clear zinc chromate coat and the O.D. The brown appears wear the O.D. is worn or rubbed off....cowl flap edges and panel edges for example. it did not appear to be a red oxide or salmon color. Any thoughts? Thanks, Mark