Chip's "Ace" build F6F-5 Hellcat***Finished***

[Molly-new]

Continuing my plan to build as many of my Airfix "WWII Aircraft of the Aces" collection as possible, I will be building the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat in US Navy colours.



The subject is "Minsi III" as flown by Commander David McCampbell when he was Air Group Commander of Air Group 15 aboard the USS Essex. He was the US Navy's top scoring Ace at the end WWII with a total of 34 aerial victories, including the 7 kills he recorded during the famous "Marianas Turkey Shoot" on the 19th and 20th of June 1944.

[Molly-new]

In readiness for the start I have washed the parts and scrutinized the instructions:





Considerably more parts than I am used to with these "Aces" kits.



The option is provided to build it with wings folded, undecided on which to do at the mo.



Colour scheme is all over blue, and will be built OOB.

[Chris]

Go Navy Chip!

[Molly-new]

Go Navy Chip!

Finally made a "Go" on this, though I seem to be doing more research than actual building of kits these days.

To date I have painted the interior a colour that looks vaguely like the pictures that I found on tinternet. It is Revell Sea Green with a dash of yellow. David has been painted up, and I have started to assemble the wings.



I painted the wing stubs as they protrude into the cockpit and will be seen through the canopy. the rear windows have also been fitted in place. Next step is to close up the fuselage, not forgetting the rear wheel and hook assemblies which are both working features.

[Molly-new]

The fuselage and wings are now together, not a particularly good fit in either case. The fuselage had to have the locating pins removed so as to get it to line up correctly:



The wings will need a bit of filler in them but I do not want to sand away any of the detailing. Ant suggestions?

[Martin R]

Looking good, Chip.

Re the filler conundrum, I don't know what you use and what thins it but I use Milliput, which is water-"soluble" before it has gone off. I trowel on the stuff on around a joint and smooth it down with a damp finger, removing major excess. I then give it 15-30 minutes to begin to harden (it takes hours to fully cure) then wipe off any further excess with a damp piece of kitchen towel. Most of the stuff around the joint will come off, but the stuff in the joint tends to stay put. It may take more than one application, though.

regards,

Martin

[Molly-new]

Thanks Martin, I followed your advice and got quite a good finish after a couple of applications.



I also found a couple of sink marks where the wheel attachments are underneath so have filled and sanded those down.

I hope to get some paint on this soon.

[TimJ]

Looking good.

[Martin R]

Chip,

I'm delighted to have been of help.

regards,

Martin

[AndrewR]

Looking good, Chip.

Re the filler conundrum, I don't know what you use and what thins it but I use Milliput, which is water-"soluble" before it has gone off. I trowel on the stuff on around a joint and smooth it down with a damp finger, removing major excess. I then give it 15-30 minutes to begin to harden (it takes hours to fully cure) then wipe off any further excess with a damp piece of kitchen towel. Most of the stuff around the joint will come off, but the stuff in the joint tends to stay put. It may take more than one application, though.

regards,

Martin

I do the same thing with Vallejo plastic putty, although the curing time is much faster than milliput, l use a damp cotton-bud immediately after I've applied the filler.

[Molly-new]

Whilst masking up the fuselage ready for painting I managed to poke the port side window into the depths of the fuselage. As much as I shake it around I cannot get the little b+**=r to come out, and now it has got stuck somewhere inside.

Plan B is to use some Krystal Klear to block it up:



I won't be able to mask this so once painted I will simply scrape it away and re-do it.

The canopy has been painted and attached, and once dry I can get some primer on to check out those wing joints.

[AndrewR]

I built a Hobbyboss Hellcat with Graham and the same thing happened with one of those windows! And they never come out again

[Molly-new]

A good day at the bench today, I have managed to get a coat of primer on which showed up a couple of minor areas that needed sorting out. With this done I have put the top coat on tonight:



The paint instructions give Hu181 "Sea Blue" as the main colour but this is now discontinued. For this I have used Revell 350 (Lufthansa Blue Silk) which is a close match according to tinternet !!

[Martin R]

Looking good, Chip!

Although I never knew that Hellcat ailerons (wingy flappy things) drooped!

regards,

Martin

[Jagewa]

Nice, really like that blue.
Cheers
Jim