Hi everyone, i am a newbie to this side of modelling since i am more of a 1/35 creature, but my kids keep telling me to model some planes and i agreed. I bought a 1/48 hellcat and would like to know which paints would you use for a three-toned dash 3. Thanks in advance.

Hey there buddy - i also dabble in 1/35 as well as 1/48 aircraft.I use Gunze Sangyo paints for my three tone birds ( Corsairs and Hellcats) You will need the following - H56 Intermediate Blue , H54 Navy Blue and also Flat white.I mix a bit of Tamiya Deck Tan with the white for a bit of shading otherwise its too white for my tastes.You could also use Tamiya paints - just the same , Navy Blue , Intermediate Blue and Flat white for a dash 3 bird.

IPMS Stockholm's paintcharts has great info ->
Here's the FS code numbers of paints used on the three-tone camo:
ANA 606 Semi-Gloss Sea Blue FS:25042 - Top wing surfaces
ANA 607 Non-Specular Sea Blue FS:35042 (35045) - Top fuselage surfaces
ANA 608 Intermediate Blue FS:35164 - Fuselage sides
(I doubt white needs further explanation... )

Note how the difference between ANA 606 and 607 is just in the level of sheen (indicated by the first digit of FS codes. 1=gloss, 2=semigloss, 3=flat), the color itself is identical.

Most modeling paint manufacturers have those paints in their range (most of the time with the right name and even with the FS number. Here's a couple of more.
Lifecolor: UA044 Non Specular Sea Blue , UA045 Non Specular Intermediate Blue
Xtracrylics: XA1121 gloss sea blue, XA1125 intermediate blue
Vallejo model color: 898 dark sea blue, 903 intermediate blue

If you prefer enamel paints check out white ensign models. I use their enamels on my ship kits, (they also do aircraft colours) as they are exactly matched to original paint chips.

thanks
Mike

Ps
I've just done a Italeri FAA Hellcat MkI in 1/72 and I'm working on a F6F3N Hellcat using the Italeri kit with the cannons and radar pod off the Hasegawa kit.

thanks
Mike

Post up some pics of your builds , i would be interested in seeing the Mk1

I'm gonna get my mate with his digital SLR to do some pics soon. My camera is useless for close up pics. I could even do a little FAA display with the Hellcat, Wildcat, Sea Hurricane, Fulmar and Sea Fury. I'm waiting on an FAA Corsair that i got on ebay and for Xtrakit to do their Seafire and my collection will be even better!
thanks
Mike

Awesome looking foward to seeing your FAA machines Have you considered building a Martlet/Wildcat? Hasegawa do make one and it was a very important early war FAA aircraft.

Yes, I mentioned it! Lol! My mate's girlfriend will be having a baby any day now, so I'm not sure when I can get some pics but I'll get them done asap!

thanks
Mike