Hi!

I try to stick to one build at a time but sometimes it is hard to follow that rule...

This is a kit I got as a prize at a competition last year. This Revell kit might not be that "hip" but looking in the box, there is a perfectly OK Hellcat in there. Since I have my new years resolution to live up to (five finished models during 2007) this one fits the bill with simple construction and an even simpler paint scheme!

This one will become an all-over blue French machine using a Model Art decal sheet.



Regards

Magnus

What?!! No Danish subjects - but you promised

Seriously, looks to be another interesting build. It looks like a 1/72 build? Or do you just have big clamps in Sweden?

It's big clamps. I got them from my wife to fit my mouth

No, seriously, it is 1/72 (like everything else that I build).

Regarding Denmark: The MD500 got into conflict with my new years resolution. Even if it is small it will demand a lot of work...

Regards

Magnus

It's time to get this one flying again!

If built with an open canopy this one really needs a resin replacement cockpit or at least a substantial amount of photo etch. The decals that come with the kit to dress up the plain side consoles look horrible in place... I will build it with canopy closed!


Anyone out there who knows of a good source for French Hellcat photos, there doesn't seem to be very many around on the net?



Magnus

Nice job, Magnus!!

Thanks Calvin!

Hellcat stuck in the jig:


Regards

Magnus

Hi all!

I've had a very good Christmas with my family but it has slowed down the modelling a bit... To fulfill that New Years resolution from last year I'll probably have to do what every Aeroscaler has to do every now and then: ask for an extension. I'll ask my wife, I am sure she won't mind extending 2007 a bit into January of 2008!

Some filling and sanding has been done since last post:





I'll have to do it with flaps down, there is no way that I can get a decent fit along both upper and lower surfaces. Annoying...

On the positive side: The scarcity of photos of French Hellcats is amazing. I found three good ones in an old Replic but apart from them them I have nothing of any quality. Yesterday, WingMasters issue 62 landed in the mail with an excellent article on Dien Bien Phu with a further two photos! Otherwise those references always turn up when the model is finished.



Magnus

A small update on the Hellcat.

Wing tip position lights have been installed, filed and polished.



My friend Martin borrowed my bottle of Clearfix before Christmas. I wasn't tempted to take a walk in the sub-zero darkness outside to get it tonight so I decided to try some evil-smelling epoxy that I usually use to fix nose weights and metal parts with. It seems to have worked well, being rather "gooey" it stays where you put it and it is a lot stronger than Clearfix. We'll see how easy it is to sand in due time...

Sliding portion of canopy is fixed with tape to aid in aligning the not-to-well fitting wind screen.





Magnus

A not-too-frequent update of my Hellcat build...

A bit of Milliput with some tape as canopy protection...


This project will be a bit neglected from now on. Every now and then something of immediate interest turns up...


Magnus

I'm sure you will have that Hellcat finished in no time at all, Magnus!

I'm back to building with friend Martin once a week and that makes it a lot easier to take care of those long-neglected projects. With the new Eduard kit available, there is an immediate need to finish this one before I get tempted to start the Eduard kit instead !


I haven't touched this one for almost four years but there isn't much left before I can start painting! A bit of putty around the windscreen and some sanding there the stabilisers meet the fuselage...



Magnus

Kit gunsight is horrible and the Hellcat sight is one of very few that I don't have from the Quickboost range. Time for some really tiny scratchbuilding!





Magnus

Well the glue on the windscreen will be pretty well cured then Magnus !

Looking good mate, keep the updates coming.

Cheers, D

It is looking very good and it just goes to show that you don't need a tricked out Eduard kit to produce a great finish.