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Hellcat update


Astro32

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My usual brand of epoxy putty has grown stale - from Hexcel corp...... they apparently don't make it anymore..... I tried some of the cheap stuff by the roll from the hardware store.... nasty! It's not curing properly either. It's set up all rubbery. I used it to reshape the lower exhaust cutouts.

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This pic shows the amount of reshaping to the lower exhaust cutouts I've done.

post-1317-1261105866.jpg

Note the hard edge of the putty against the kit plastic. This is how much reshaping is needed. It's really off!

For a good reference, go here compare. This is a -3, and I have noticed some subtle shape differences between the various 'dash' marks of Hellcat in lower fuselage & exhaust areas. Check your references by all means according to the version you're doing!

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Still fiddling with the lower exhaust cutouts. Not quite happy with them.

But I did receive the Vector '2800 engine on Saturday, and boy am I pleased! Really beautiful job. Fast turnaround from Sprue Bros.! Shipping was a bit over $2.00 which was nice too.

One slight criticism for Vector: The baffles that go on top of and between the cylinders.... the parts diagram is a bit vague, and they're so small I'm having a hard time figuring them out. Otherwise it's awesome! :thumbsup:

Hopefully the next few days will be slow at the office so I can get some more done!

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  • 3 years later...

Major bump!

I haven't forgotten about this one. Maybe after the Wildcat? Not sure yet. I still want to do a post-war bird, perhaps in N.A.S. Pt. Mugu markings. Are there any postwar Hellcat decal sets out there?

I would also consider kitbashing the Trumpy kit's wings. The fuselage looks way off compared to the real deal, yet Hasegawa got it right almost 40 years ago. Go figure.

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Found the decals. Alley Cat in the U.K. .... it even has a Pt. Mugu bird represented! From 1950.

Astro Do you Have the decals in your stash?    or do you still need to find some?  ACD-32001 Alley Cat Decals Post War F6F5K PMTC Bird on it!!!!

I found a sheet for you not far from home ( across the Valley ) Scott has them in stock  Pm inbound

 

Cheers

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