Gisbod Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) Hi all, I've just received a rather large box from a nice delivery man. The new Airfix Hellcat! I've already got the Airscale cockpit set (photo etch & decals) - which looks lovely and a set of HGW seatbelts (Mosquito - they looked closest to me in the absence of any Hellcat ones in this scale). The kit has plastic moulded harnesses which are ok-ish but not for me. The other thing I’m trying to get is some custom masks - I would say essential in this scale. Although, I have just noticed that Funkdecals are producing a part decal, part mask set which looks perfect - except I didn’t initially want to do a dark blue one. I’ve just finished a factory finish Corsair (primer) and that’s an option too. I also like the Fleet Air Arm options. But basically, 90% of all schemes are US Dark Navy Blue which will be tricky to make interesting. The more appealing 3 tone schemes are restricted to the F6F-3. So before I get started, some obligatory sprue shots: Lovely big box! The instructions have 310 stages! 600 parts, so not a weekend kit... The decal sheet: Hopefully this should give some scale: The slightly iffy seatbelts: The stressed skin effect: Cockpit detail: Engine Sprue: The clear sprue looks good: To summarise, it’s impressive but doesn't exude the quality of a Wingnuts or latest Tamiya kit. That said, I’m sure in the right hands it could look spectacular. Will update once I’ve got started. Thanks for looking in, Guy Edited June 30, 2019 by Gisbod HerculesPA_2, rafju, GMK and 11 others 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alain Gadbois Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Hi Guy! It certainly does look impressive! I agree with your assessment of the kit but you have some great after market to help in the areas that will need more work to look nice. In the photo of the clear sprue, I seem to detect a bit of tint. Is this correct? Great project! Alain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) Thanks Alain, Yes, it does look tinted in the shot, but rest assured it’s not at all, just sunlight effect I think. I’m sure it’s lovely, it just has a certain retro feel to it compared to the very latest offerings I’ve seen from other manufacturers. Nothing I could really put my finger on, but I’ve just started a Wingnuts DH.9a kit and that oozes quality. https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=10399.0 Guy Edited June 28, 2019 by Gisbod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 Just thought I’d add a stock image of the Airscale set: Ryan, shadowmare, Lothar and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 There is a lot of excitement buzzing around about this kit, in your hands it will look great. It's on my list to pick up. Ryan Gisbod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingman777 Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Oh wow, this really looks great! I'm a big Hellcat fan having the Hasegawa 1/32 kit three times. I look forward to seeing what you do with this one, I know its got impressive size going for it. Gisbod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted June 30, 2019 Author Share Posted June 30, 2019 (edited) Thanks Ryan and Wingman I’ve made a start this morning and it’s going together surprisingly quickly. I’m getting as much sticking together done on the interior as I can before paint. As mentioned before, the plastic is fairly soft, the cockpit floor seems a teeny bit warped - but should squeeze into shape ok. I’ve done a test fit of the fuselage halves and it goes together - with the internals fitted - with some pressure. I’ll have to keep an eye on that as I progress. Not quite a snap build. That said, it’s a fun build already - it’s a lovely scale to work with ie it’s not too fiddly. Here are some progress pictures. A few sink holes to fill: The first part of the Airscale set fitted (kit detail sanded off) I’ll need to add some kind of seat cushion to replace the kit one moulded with straps. Thanks for looking, Guy Edited June 30, 2019 by Gisbod Alain Gadbois, Fanes, rafju and 14 others 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennismcc Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 I will have to follow this one closely as when I get back into modelling (mojo has vanished at the moment) the same kit will be one of my next victims. Cheers Dennis Gisbod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 Guy thanks for the nice clear pics and description. Ryan Gisbod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Looks like a very impressive model. Gisbod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 Thanks chaps A layer of primer on. I’ve gone two tone for some pre shading. Guy Gazzas, HerculesPA_2, Alain Gadbois and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dpgsbody55 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Nice progress already. One comment, if I may. You mention how the fuselage halves go together only with some pressure. Watch the fit of the internal bulkheads. Part E28 is a little on the thick side and benefits from some sanding on the front face, which won't be seen. Also give it a light sanding all the rounds the outer edge and you'll find that the fuselage goes together well. Next, check that part E39 doesn't bow when you fit the 2 fuselage halves together. If it does, the cause is the locating tab on the top. Either widen the slot in each fuselage half, or narrow the locating tab. Lastly, check the fuselage fit with each frame individually. This kit builds well, from all reports, but the parts are all a tight fit, made tighter still with paint. Apparently, most parts need cleaning up from things like ejector pin marks and mold-half marks. The Typhoon was like that too, but I had a blast building that kit. I've been following a You Tube build on this kit, and have joined a Facebook group too, which has given me many tips for building this kit. Mine arrived today, but I'm not going to start immediately, mostly due to having no time thanks to family issues. I'm keeping in touch with this forum to help keep me sane!! The upside, if you can call it that, is that it will give me time to see what the aftermarket comes up with. I'm mostly interested to see what markings might become available. Hope you enjoy the build. I'll be watching. Cheers, Michael coogrfan, nmayhew, Out2gtcha and 2 others 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josebagasteiz Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Hi. At the moment an excellent job that I will follow carefully because I may one day build this model. Greetings. Gisbod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted July 2, 2019 Author Share Posted July 2, 2019 Thanks Jose, and thanks Michael, yes, I’ve had to shave a bit off the bulkheads and my radio trays too - you could see them bend when the fuselage was closed. I don’t think the dimensions are wrong, just perhaps that the recesses on the opposite sides just aren’t quite as crisply moulded as they might be. It sounds like I’m being harsh on the kit, I’m not, it is very nice, just that the mouldings could be a little sharper. Guy Out2gtcha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted July 3, 2019 Author Share Posted July 3, 2019 (edited) Evening all, I think I’m calling the cockpit done. Not my best effort, but looks ok. I’m not really adding a great deal in terms of detailing, I haven’t quite got the enthusiasm somehow. The Airscale set is great as are the ‘wrong’ seat belts. They really lift it a notch. I’m looking forward to seeing what the master builders do with this kit though - it has great potential. Note the masked areas on the mating surfaces. Thanks Guy Edited July 31, 2019 by Gisbod BlackCanopy, Out2gtcha, Fvdm and 18 others 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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